What is stacking on a Pennsylvania auto insurance policy?
Understanding Stacking in Pennsylvania Auto Insurance
If you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident in Pennsylvania and are trying to understand what coverage is available to you, the concept of stacking is one of the most important things to know. Stacking can significantly increase the amount of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage available to you — and understanding whether you have it on your policy could make a major difference in your recovery.
What Is Stacking?
Stacking refers to the ability to combine — or “stack” — the uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage limits from multiple vehicles or multiple policies to create a larger pool of coverage for a single accident.
Pennsylvania law gives drivers the option to purchase stacked or unstacked UM/UIM coverage. If you have stacked coverage:
- Intra-policy stacking: You can multiply your UM/UIM coverage limit by the number of vehicles on your policy. For example, if you have $100,000 in UM/UIM coverage and three vehicles on your policy, your effective stacked coverage could be $300,000.
- Inter-policy stacking: In some situations, you may be able to stack coverage across separate policies — for example, your own policy and a household member’s policy.
Why Does Stacking Matter?
Stacking is most important in cases involving uninsured drivers (who carry no liability insurance) or underinsured drivers (whose liability limits are not enough to fully compensate you for your injuries). If the at-fault driver carries only minimum liability coverage — $15,000 per person in Pennsylvania — and you’ve suffered serious injuries worth far more than that, your UM/UIM coverage is what makes up the difference. Stacked coverage multiplies that protection.
Did You Waive Stacking?
In Pennsylvania, insurance companies are required to offer stacked UM/UIM coverage, but policyholders can waive it in writing in exchange for a lower premium. Many drivers sign stacking waivers without fully understanding what they’re giving up. If you signed a waiver of stacked coverage and were then seriously injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver, you may have significantly less coverage available than if you had retained stacking.
It’s worth pulling out your auto insurance declarations page and reviewing whether your UM/UIM coverage is stacked or unstacked. If you’re unsure, call your insurance agent or consult with an attorney.
Can a Stacking Waiver Be Challenged?
In some cases, stacking waivers can be challenged if they were not properly presented, explained, or executed. Pennsylvania courts have addressed this issue in various contexts. If you’re dealing with a serious injury claim and believe a stacking waiver was improperly obtained, an experienced personal injury attorney can review the waiver and advise you on whether it may be contestable.
