Crash Course in Auto News

Have you ever been tempted to purchase a motor vehicle from a friend or at auction — but not insure it until it was repaired and road-worthy? Be careful. Persons who own registered but uninsured automobiles in Pennsylvania run certain surprising risks.

The purpose of the motor vehicle financial responsibility law is to make certain that as many people as possible insure motor vehicles which are driven on the highways. If any person owns a registered but uninsured vehicle, even if the vehicle is not road-worthy, that person cannot get medical or wage loss benefits under any circumstances — even if they are injured in a vehicle which is fully insured under the full tort option!

One unhappy owner caused her inoperable car to be taken to a junk yard. Unfortunately for her, she still had the car registered in her name. After she was injured in her other vehicle, she was informed that she was not eligible to receive any first party benefits from any insurance company arising out of her accident. Any registered vehicle in the Commonwealth must be insured. No questions asked.

— Bill Brennan