Insurance requirements for registering a car in Pennsylvania
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All drivers in Pennsylvania are required to have liability insurance or "financial liability" for their vehicles in order to operate a vehicle legally and maintain a legal vehicle registration.
Trouble free state
Pennsylvania is a no-fault state, which means your insurance will pay for your medical bills and damages regardless of who was at fault for the accident. The minimum financial liability requirements for drivers in Pennsylvania are as follows:
$5,000 minimum to cover medical benefits
$5,000 minimum for property damage liability
Minimum $15,000 per person for personal injury. This means you need to have at least $30,000 with you to cover the fewest possible number of people involved in an accident (two drivers).
This means that the total minimum financial liability you will need is $40,000 for bodily injury or death, property damages, and medical benefits.
No state fault means Pennsylvania drivers have two options for tort on their insurance policies. They can opt for a cheaper limited tort, which means their right to sue another driver for causing pain and suffering is limited; or they can opt for the more expensive unrestricted tort, which allows drivers to sue other drivers for medical expenses as well as pain and suffering.
proof of insurance
To register your vehicle in Pennsylvania, you must show proof of insurance. You must also have an insurance document in your vehicle because you must present it at the time of a traffic stop or at the scene of an accident.
Acceptable forms of proof of insurance include the following documents:
A valid insurance certificate from an authorized insurance company.
current insurance binder
Copy of insurance policy declaration page
A signed letter from your insurance company or agent on company letterhead.
A copy of your Pennsylvania Assigned Risk Plan application.
Pennsylvania Assigned Risk Plan
If you are considered a high-risk driver, insurance companies in Pennsylvania may legally deny you coverage. To ensure that all drivers can access statutory liability insurance, Pennsylvania has a Pennsylvania Defined Risk Plan. This requires all insurance companies in Pennsylvania to accept applicants under the plan, regardless of their high-risk status.
Penalties for Violation
If you are not financially responsible in Pennsylvania as required by law, you may face several penalties. This includes:
Minimum fine $300
Suspension of driving license and registration for up to three months
A total of $176 in recovery fees.
Confiscation of your vehicle
Cancellation of insurance
If you need to cancel your insurance policy because the vehicle is in storage, being repaired, or due to financial hardship, you must send the license plate, sticker, and card to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation immediately.
For more information or to renew your vehicle registration online, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation through their website.
