The lots around Hershey, PA and the Giant Center fill with antique cars every October for the AACA fall meet in Hershey. Most of them go back into the garage the next week.
But if the auto insurance coverage gets canceled on one of them while it’s sitting, PennDOT may suspend the registration. And this can happen even if you bought a new policy the minute you canceled the previous one.
Your Insurance Company Tells PennDOT When Your Coverage Ends
Insurance companies in PA are required to notify PennDOT when a policy is canceled. But they don’t have to report the new policy you bought the same afternoon.
So then what happens is PennDOT mails you a letter asking for proof of coverage. You don’t want to ignore that letter. If you do, your registration gets suspended for three months even though you had auto insurance the whole time.
The Short Lapse Rule Can Help If the Car Hasn’t Moved
If the coverage gap was less than 31 days and nobody drove the vehicle during that time, PennDOT lets you sign a statement saying the vehicle never moved. That makes the suspension go away. At Options Insurance Agency, we’ll help you stay on top of your coverage.
How to Store a Car the Way PennDOT Wants It Done
PennDOT offers a specific way you can park your car for a season without running into hassles. You can mail the plate and registration card to PennDOT within thirty days of canceling your policy and you won’t receive a suspension.
If the plate stays active in your name, state law requires you to have liability coverage on the car. Plates on antique and classic vehicles hide that requirement because they’re good for the life of the car and don’t come up for renewal.
Do This Before You Change Auto Insurance in PA
Switching insurance carriers and storing a vehicle for the winter in Hershey both trip the same wire at PennDOT. At Options Insurance Agency, we see the letters that follow.
Get in touch with our team today before you cancel a policy. We’ll go over with you how your auto insurance lines up with your plate.