Mckeesport, PA asked in Car Accidents, Consumer Law and Traffic Tickets for Pennsylvania

Q: In Pennsylvania, do I have to list my kids of driving age who have drivers licenses on my insurance?

2 Lawyer Answers
William C. Head
William C. Head pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered
  • Traffic Tickets Lawyer
  • Sandy Springs, GA

A: Your questions is so clearly worded about this situation that it is clear that you are trying to misrepresent facts, to save money.

Unless the children are separately insured and own and drive different vehicles, then YES.

The policy is a contract. One of the requirements of any contract is that the disclosures and "facts" you put in that policy are correct. One of the questions has to do with ALL people living at your residence, and their ages. The policy requires TRUTHFUL answers.

False answers can result in policy cancellation. Plus, kids who are not insured, driving your vehicle, can be arrested and taken to jail, and possibly lose their right to drive, and be saddled with a civil judgment for damages to another person's vehicle, or even worse --- personal injuries or death, in the millions. Plus, you may be also held liable, as the parent entrusting a vehicle to them.

Children are expensive. It is a fact. But, if they are going to drive, and they are going to drive, they must be part of the policy.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
Answered
  • Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Wyomissing, PA
  • Licensed in Pennsylvania

A: If you expect them to drive vehicles on that policy, yes. You have to list them under the section "other drivers in household" regardless.

The issue is then will these folk also be driving your vehicles. If they get in a wreck and you don't mention them, the insurance company may decline coverage. Then they get "limited tort" status even if not at fault, and no medical coverage.

You complicate things enormously.

The only way around it is to say they are there but are to be excluded drivers. That means they cannot drive your car or....it's uninsured.

With all due respect to Mr. Head, uninsured motorists aren't arrrested or taken to jail. They can end up with suspensions and other bad things, though.

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