Is it expensive to get a collision and comprehensive auto insurance policy in Pennsylvania?

Maila

Philadelphia PA

Before a motorist think of price, it is important to understand how a particular coverage can protect and benefit him in the long run. A collision and comprehensive vehicle insurance in Pennsylvania means you are getting more protection as a motorist. Normally, it is only liability that the law requires. It is enough for a motorist to have the minimum requirement so that when he accidentally hits a person, or injures a person during an accident, or damage a property, his insurance can cover the costs of damages.

A collision coverage will protect a motorists in the event that his car is damaged because of collision. The liability insurance is only good as far as covering third party damages while the owner of the car is left to take care of the costs of fixing his vehicle. A comprehensive vehicle insurance in Pennsylvania means you don’t need to worry about repairs that are not collision related. What if a big branch falls on your car? You will definitely have to do something about the dent on your roof.

A comprehensive vehicle insurance in Pennsylvania ensures that you need not worry about repairs since you get covered for that kind of damage. For all of those protection, a motorist should expect to pay a reasonable amount of premium. It should not be too expensive nor too cheap. To get the right price, shop for quotes.

Can you tell me if there a law in existence in Pennsylvania that says that car insurance companies can just cancel a car insurance policy because of accidents wherein you are at fault?

Mark

Philadelphia, PA

According to the Insurance Department of Pennsylvania car insurance companies are allowed to cancel or non-renew policies for certain reasons. The reason may be:

• If you have not paid your vehicle insurance policy premiums
• If you have been involved with 2 or more accidents of the same type within 36 months wherein you are found to be at fault
• If you have been convicted of DUI/DWI

If your car insurance providers cancel or do not renew your vehicle insurance policy that you purchased to drive in Pennsylvania, they should send you notification or a written form explaining why they are canceling or non renewing your vehicle insurance policy.

If however you disagree with your car insurance carrier’s decision or explanation, you can always send a letter to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department why you do not agree with the cancellation or non renewal of your vehicle insurance policy in Pennsylvania.

My brother lives in New York and wants to insure her vehicle under my insurance policy in Pennsylvania. Her vehicle is registered in New York. Is this possible?

Helen

Philadelphia, PA

No, normally this would not be possible for a few reasons.

One reason is that likely your insurance provider would not permit you to insure an out of state car that is not garaged at your home, not driven by a member of your household and not registered in PA. If you did not give your insurance provider the information that it was your brother’s car registered, driven and garaged in NY when adding the vehicle, nor have your brother listed as a driver on your insurance policy then this could be determined to be misrepresentation, a form of insurance fraud.

Another reason that you cannot insure your brother’s NYS registered car with PA car insurance is that New York laws require vehicles to be insured with NYS insurance.

If I got involved in a car accident without insurance and driver’s license in Pennsylvania however it is not my fault. Could I be charged with a crime if someone got killed in the accident?

Fred

Pittsburgh, PA

Operating a vehicle without insurance and without a valid license are both against the law in the state of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania laws states that every car that is required to be registered should be covered by financial responsibility (FR). Most motorists choose to get Financial Responsibility in the way of auto insurance.

The penalties for not having auto insurance, or another form of FR, can include:

1. A three month suspension of your driver’s license
2. A minimum of $300 fine
3. $50 reinstatement fee to restore your driver’s license
4. A three month suspension of your vehicle registration
5. $50 reinstatement fee to restore your vehicle registration
6. That the car may not be driven by anyone while the registration is revoked or suspended.

Since you were driving without the required state insurance and without a valid license you will likely received some of the penalties above if you were convicted by the responding law enforcement officer. There might be other penalties too if you get involved in an accident and if a death occurred.

I’m from Allentown, Pennsylvania and I’m thinking, what are the penalties if you get caught driving without insurance?

Paul

Allentown, PA

If Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) finds your car insurance has lapsed for over thirty one days you will have your car’s registration suspended for three months. If you get caught operating the vehicle without car insurance your license will be suspended for three months as well.

The vehicle’s registration plate, card , sticker and your driver’s license must be surrendered to PennDOT to serve the suspension. Reinstatement fees of $50 and proof of valid car insurance must be submitted prior to the time your registration and/or driving privileges are to be returned.

Other than these penalties for not having car insurance on your automobile if you are cited and stopped for operating a vehicle, your car might be impounded and fines will likely result, as well as the aforementioned suspensions.