Auto Insurance Claims: incurance claim

Question
Can an Insurance co. deny your claim if it was stolen by a household member that's not named as a licensed, insured driver on your policy? If that person stole your keys while you were sleeping, from your purse & wrecked/totaled your vehicle? In the state of Pennsylvania? This is all unfamiliar territory for me, having never gone through anything like this before. I feel as though I have my back against the wall because while the claim adjuster tells me that she's unsure whether or not I will be covered , the waiting period has been over a week now. I have limited tort with full coverage, it's a new policy. PLEASE HELP!!

Jacqueline

Answer
Hi Jackie,

I am not specifically familiar with Pennsylvania policies or law, But I will tell you what I do know in general.

With most insurance companies you are required to disclose every person who lives in your house who is of driving age. Then they either set the rates based on the highest rated driver or in some cases you can specifically exclude a driver from coverage. But when you do not disclose everyone in the household you put yourself in jeopardy because the insurance company may deny coverage if one of those people drives the car. Now in your case where someone that was not disclosed on your policy has "stolen" your car, the only way to have the damage covered is if you actually call the police and press charges. That would mean sending a family member to jail.

You should check with an attorney in your state for more specific information or you can call your state insurance commissioners office as well.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh