Auto Insurance Pennsylvania

Reader’s Question:

I live in Pennsylvania, and I was wondering if I should still get coverage from my parents’ auto insurance policy even if I have my own car already.

Bettina

Pittsburgh, PA

Is the title of your car under your name? If it is, then you should get your own automobile insurance policy because owning a car entails presumed financial responsibilities. If you apply for auto insurance, the insurance company may require you to disclose the names of all the members of your household. Disclosing this information could protect you and the auto insurance company in case another household gets into an accident while driving your car. However, you may choose who you want to be covered by your policy so as to avoid overpayment in case you feel that an extended coverage is unnecessary.

If you are still living with your parents and still drive their cars, you may have to stay under the coverage of their policies. This is for the reason that the insurance policy only covers insured drivers (naturally). Since you are still driving their vehicles, you are considered as one of those drivers. However, if you decide to stop driving their car and still continue living in their house, the insurance agent may still suggest that you remain under the coverage of their insurance policies. Owning a car but still being a part of the household does not guarantee that you will no longer drive their car. Insurance companies would more likely prepare for the possibility that your own car will breakdown and you would drive your parents’ car as a resort.

If you feel that you need your own auto insurance policy, then you would also have to list your parents as members of the household even though they have their own auto insurance policies. This is for the same reason that they may need to drive your car, too.

If you think that both you and your parents’ being covered by each other’s policies seem financially burdening, then you may try contacting your auto insurance agent there at Pennsylvania to see which setup would work best for all of you.