Who pays for car damage in a no-fault state in Pennsylvania?

Asked by: Dr. Kale Fadel  |  Last update: August 20, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (3 votes)

In Pennsylvania, you can receive payment for car repairs in a no-fault accident through your own insurance company or the at-fault party's carrier. If the accident is not your fault, the at-fault party's carrier may cover the costs of your car repairs.

Whose insurance pays in a car accident in PA?

All drivers in Pennsylvania are required to have “first party” benefits as part of their car insurance. Also sometimes referred to as Personal Injury Protection (PIP), this means that your own insurance initially pays your medical bills associated with your accident, regardless of who was at fault.

How does no-fault insurance work in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania provides for the no-fault payment of your initial medical expenses and wage losses up to the limit of coverage you had selected. These benefits are paid by your insurer and are not dependent on proof of fault. Once you exceed your coverage limits, you may seek coverage from the at-fault motorist's insurer.

Who pays for car damage in no-fault states?

In no-fault states, each party carries insurance that pays for their own injuries, while the at-fault party typically pays for everyone's property damage.

Should I file an insurance claim if I am not at fault?

Always File a Claim, Regardless of Who Was At-Fault

One of the primary questions we receive from clients who have been in an accident is whether they should report the accident to their own auto insurance carrier, particularly when the accident was not their fault. And the answer to that question is: always.

What is No Fault Insurance and How is it different

17 related questions found

What happens when a car accident wasn't your fault?

The first step is to get the other party's car insurance information and then report the accident. You should call 911 or the police to respond to the scene. You must also report the accident to both your own insurer and theirs. Generally, this will start the claims process with the at-fault party's insurer.

What are the cons of no fault insurance?

CONS: Fewer legal options: In most states, drivers with no-fault policies are restricted from suing unless the injuries meet a certain severity threshold. Potentially higher premiums: Some say no-fault insurance may lead to higher premiums due to more claims being filed.

Who pays deductible in no-fault accident?

Policyholders will generally pay the deductible before comprehensive coverage kicks in. Liability insurance. Liability coverage, which is required in California, doesn't involve deductibles but covers damages the policyholder causes to other vehicles, drivers, or property. Uninsured motorist coverage.

Should I call my insurance if it wasn't my fault progressive?

Start the claims process

Regardless of who's at fault, it's a good idea to inform your car insurance company that an accident occurred.

When someone hits you, do you call their insurance?

If the at-fault driver is uninsured or leaves the scene, your own insurance will pay if you have the right coverage. Always call your own insurance company, even if you think the other driver is at fault.

How long does a no-fault accident stay on your record in PA?

In Pennsylvania, an accident stays on your driving record for a period of four years.

Do no-fault claims affect insurance?

Some may raise your premiums by 10 percent, while others may charge you only 2 percent more. In addition, certain states, such as California and Oklahoma, don't allow insurance companies to increase rates after a non-fault claim.

What coverage is mandatory in PA for when you cause an accident?

Pennsylvania law requires all Pennsylvania motor vehicle owners to maintain vehicle liability insurance (financial responsibility) on a currently registered vehicle. Vehicle liability insurance covers the property damage or injuries you may cause others in a crash.

What happens if someone wrecks your car and they aren't on your insurance in PA?

In most cases, insurance companies will not compensate you if the individual who drove the car did not have your permission. In that case, you may be required to file a claim through the driver's insurance provider. You can also consult an experienced car accident attorney to explore your options.

What happens if I get in a wreck in someone else's car?

In car accidents in this state, the driver who caused the car crash will be responsible for paying for the financial damages. If the accident happened because of the other driver, you may have less to worry about if someone else was driving your car.

How to get insurance to pay for car damage?

File a claim
  1. Call the police. If the damage to your car is a result of an accident, theft, or vandalism, call the police and have them file a report.
  2. Take pictures. ...
  3. File your claim. ...
  4. Assignment and tracking of the claim. ...
  5. Damage evaluation. ...
  6. Receive your claim settlement.

How to file an insurance claim when not at fault?

If you have the information from the other person involved in the accident, you may call his or her insurance company to file your claim. Some companies may also offer online claim reporting. If you have an insurance agent, he or she may be able to help you through this process or provide you with more information.

Should I call their insurance or mine?

Even in at-fault states, where the other driver's insurer pays, there are several reasons why you should always call your own auto insurance company first, including: Some insurers will help you negotiate a settlement with the other driver's insurance company.

Who gets the insurance check when a car is totaled?

If you own the car without any loans or liens, you will receive a check for the value assessed by the insurance company. If there is a loan, the check usually goes first to the leasing company or the lender. If you owe money on the vehicle, you should notify the lending company that your car has been totaled.

Does your insurance pay if you are not at fault?

Who pays in a no-fault accident? If there's an accident between two drivers, each party's PIP coverage typically pays for their respective medical bills and/or wage loss up to their policies' limits, no matter who caused the accident.

Is it better to have a $500 deductible or $1000?

Remember that filing small claims may affect how much you have to pay for insurance later. Switching from a $500 deductible to a $1,000 deductible can save as much as 20 percent on the cost of your insurance premium payments.

Why do I have to pay deductible when it's not my fault?

Insurance companies collect deductibles every time they settle a claim, so they don't care who was at fault. You would not be at fault if your car was stolen from a secure facility, but you would still pay a deductible if you filed an insurance claim.

Do you get money from no-fault insurance?

So let's start with a basic definition: no-fault insurance, sometimes referred to as personal injury protection insurance (PIP), can help cover you and your passengers' medical expenses and loss of income in the event of a covered accident, regardless of who is found at fault.

What are the benefits of a no-fault state?

In a no-fault insurance state, if you're injured in an auto accident, you would file a claim with your own insurance company to pay for related medical costs. This is regardless of fault. No-fault insurance is often called Personal Injury Protection, or PIP for short.

Which of the following is considered a drawback of the no-fault system of compensation?

Higher Insurance Premiums: Because each policyholder's insurance company pays for their own losses, some critics argue that no-fault systems can lead to higher insurance premiums.