Car Insurance

[JohnMag4u]

What is the name of your state? PA

I am currently 20 yeras old. I am a student at PSU. I have had my own insurance policy with State Farm for about 1 year. My car has broken down and I have chosen to give up driving for atleast 6 months (until I can pay for repairs). I called State Farm to cancel my insurance policy (as I will not be driving) and they told me that since my perminent residence is with my Mom (although I only live there 3 months out of the year because I have my own appartment at school) I must be added to her insurance policy (also a State Farm policy). Is this true, do I need to have insurance even if I do not drive? They mentioned because I am under 25 years old that I must be added to her policy.

[Zigner]

You should be able to be added and then "excluded"

[JohnMag4u]

I am not sure what this means...will it still cause an increase in the cost of my mother's insuarnce premium?

[moburkes]

Originally Posted by Zigner

You should be able to be added and then "excluded"

And, if you do this, do NOT, under ANY circumstances drive anyone's vehicle for any reason, because you will NOT be covered. Regardless of the reason. Not even in an emergency. No, it will not change mom's premium if you do this.


Please, remove your links from your posts.

[ecmst12]

Some insurance companies do have this requirement. If you don't have your own car (or don't list it on the policy because it is not driveable) then it shouldn't affect the rates TOO much. It's not a bad idea to go on her policy and have coverage though, just in case you want to borrow a friend's car or rent one (never know what might come up) you'll have coverage and peace of mind. Another issue is PA is a no-fault state - that means if you are in a car accident, even if you are not the driver, your own auto insurance is the primary payor on any medical bills that result. If you are a passenger and have no auto insurance, then the driver's insurance will cover you, but if you read the posts on here, you'll see how often people let their insurance lapse without realizing it and don't find out until they get into an accident and are told their policy lapsed 3 days before. So it's always best to have your own coverage, for that extra peace of mind.

[JohnMag4u]

I understand that I cannot drive any car for any reason, thanks for the warning! I just want to know what "excluded" means and if it will cause in increase in the cost of the insurance policy. Thanks Again!

[ecmst12]

Excluded just means you are NOT covered under any circumstances.

I still advise against this. At least find out how much of a premium increase it will be to add you to mom's insurance without an additional vehicle.

[JohnMag4u]

Thanks for all the information. I am going to first find out the cost, and if I can afford it, pay for that. Being a poor college student with less then $10 to my name at any time is difficult and I am ready to give up my driving privileges if need be. Once again, thank you everyone for your quick responses!

[moburkes]

Make sure that you don't need to turn in your plates. In my state, when you don't have insurance, you aren't allowed to drive, and if you're audited, and can't provide proof of insurance, you will lose your license.

However, e probably would have told you that already if it was applicable in your state.

[tammy8]

It would be a good idea to stay on someone's policy so that you have continueous coverage. Any lapse in coverage (meaning you were without liability coverage) can result in you having a high risk rate when you get insurance again.

[ecmst12]

I am not aware that any audits of this type are done in PA. If you don't have insurance, they may not let you renew your registration (never tried), but as far as I'm aware, the only way to get ticketed for no insurance is to get caught DRIVING without it. It's not required for you to have insurance just because you have a license. If you don't have personal insurance and drive someone else's car, that's still legal as long as the CAR is insured. I'm pretty sure they are not going to seek you out just because you have a car that is registered in your name to find out if you have insurance....you have to be caught in the act.

[tammy8]

I think what MB means is that in some states if you have a tag for your car you have to carry liability insurance on that tag. I know in NC, if you have ONE day lapse in coverage you will be fined between $50-$250 and may have to surrender your tag for 30 days.

[moburkes]

Originally Posted by tammy8

I think what MB means is that in some states if you have a tag for your car you have to carry liability insurance on that tag. I know in NC, if you have ONE day lapse in coverage you will be fined between $50-$250 and may have to surrender your tag for 30 days.

Yes. Something like that. Here, they send out letters daily, RANDOMLY to people asking them to provide proof of insurance for the vehicle with the license plate of.....If you don't provide it within whatever time frame they deem acceptable, it is an AUTOMATIC suspension. They don't care if you moved, and never got the notice, they don't care if you simply forgot to provide it, they don't care if the proof got lost in the mail....

[ecmst12]

Yeah, I think PENNDOT really has better things to do with their time....

[tammy8]

And yet another reason to check out the laws is does the city have an ordinance for untagged vehicles? Lots to towns will not let a car sit untagged.