Auto Insurance Claims: auto insurance coverage lapse, auto insurance coverage, new insurance

Question
My auto insurance coverage lapsed due to non-payment for a period of 20 days.  I had mailed a payment in the interm, and so assumed that the coverage was in effect.  I had received a notice from the insurance company that it would be cancelled, but due to prior experiences, assumed that the payment would remedy the issue.  Unfortunately, when I received the notification of official cancellation it was already after the cancellation date and so immediately applied for new insurance, which I did get in place.  I live in PA and now am dealing with trying to appeal suspension of the registration.  The insurance was not lapsed for more than 30 days, however, I did drive the vehicle as I was unaware that the insurance was lapsed.  Any advice on the appeal process and/or is there any way to legally get insurance coverage retroactive to that cancellation date?  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Chas,

It is not possible to back date an insurance policy. If you have an appeals process available to you, you should simply explain to them just as you did here, exactly what happened. You will also need to show them proof of th new insurance and when it was taken out. What happens from there will depend on PA state law.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh