Should I Choose Full Tort or Limited Tort on my auto insurance policy?

Many people have questions about which type of car insurance to choose: full tort or limited tort?  Here is a brief overview of the differences.

Full Tort

If you are involved in an accident, you may bring a claim in order to receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage and other out-of-pocket expenses. You may also sue for non-monetary damages such as pain and suffering and loss of consortium (loss of a loved one’s companionship while they are recovering from an injury).  Because juries have a tendency to award larger judgments to the plaintiff in lawsuits involving full tort policies, auto insurance companies that provide full tort policies run a higher risk of loss. Therefore, premiums for full tort car insurance is generally more expensive than those for other policies.

Limited Tort

With this option, you may still bring a claim for compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and other out-of-pocket expenses related to an accident. You generally will not, however, be allowed to sue for non-monetary damages such as pain and suffering and loss of consortium, unless your injuries are considered serious or disfiguring. In exchange for giving up your right to bring a lawsuit for non-monetary damages, most insurance companies charge lower monthly premium payments. It depends on the insurer, but this reduction is usually around 15%.

It is important to note that when you choose Limited Tort, you are not only giving up your right to litigation when you are the driver involved in a motor vehicle accident.  This option also applies to all family members covered under your policy, and it applies even when you or your family members are passengers in other vehicles.