What is Stacked Insurance in PA?
In Pennsylvania, stacked insurance allows you to combine the coverage limits for each of your single-vehicle policies. It is usually used when a person gets in a car accident involving an uninsured or underinsured motorist. That means if you are hit by someone without insurance or struck by a hit and run driver, you have a means of obtaining rightful compensation for your injuries. You’ll also be able to receive a fair settlement if the damage caused in the crash is greater than the other driver’s insurance limits.
Simply put, stacked insurance gives you higher policy limits, which can be invaluable when facing medical bills and lost wages.
In late 2019, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania made a hugely important decision to implement stacked insurance. By a vote of 6-1, they decided that motor vehicle insurance policies can be stacked.
How Does Stacked Insurance Work?
Say you have a truck and a motorcycle. Each has a single-vehicle policy offering $25,000 in uninsured motorist coverage. With stacked insurance, you can combine those two policy limits for a total of $50,000 in coverage. That means more coverage for you and your family.
Should You Waive Stacked Insurance?
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania decided that stacking is legal, but policyholders have the ability to opt out. While it’s tempting to consider the difference in monthly premiums, waiving stacked insurance is exceptionally problematic and could deprive you of the settlement you need to make a smooth recovery.
Thinking back to the last example, let’s say you take your motorcycle out for the evening and get in a crash; you didn’t plan for it, but it happened. Injuries from motorcycle wrecks tend to be far more severe than those in traditional auto accidents. The medical bills and treatments required to get back to normal can easily exceed the other driver’s policy or your own uninsured motorist policy.
What Happens if I Waive Stacked Insurance?
If you waived your stacked insurance, you would be bound to your single-vehicle $25,000 policy limits. That may not be enough to cover your damages. If you stack your insurance, you would have a combined $50,000 in coverage to help you get back to normal. If you have more than two vehicles, your policy limits could be even higher.
There’s no argument. Stacked insurance is one of the best things you can do to secure the safety of yourself and your family in the event of a car crash.
If you or someone you love suffered serious injuries at the hands of an uninsured or underinsured driver, we are here for you. If you'd like to discuss your case with an experienced Montgomery County personal injury attorney from Mayerson Injury Law, P.C. to evaluate your case, please send us an email or call (610) 492-7155.