Can a PA driver’s auto insurance company deny benefits if the PA driver gets a DUI while causing a car accident?
Jun 14th, 2007 | By Michael L. Saile, Jr., Esq. | Category: Blogs, DUI-DWI-DAI (Drunk Driving), Pennsylvania Injury InformationThe answer is no.
The PA Motor Vehicle Code §1724 specifically states that auto insurance benefits may not be denied solely because the driver of the insured motor vehicle is determined to be under the influence of drugs or intoxicating beverages (DUI/DWI/DAI) at the time of the car accident. So, even if you have caused a death in a car accident, and are charged with vehicular homicide, your insurance benefits cannot be denied.
Your PA auto insurance company can assign you insurance points for the car accident, the DUI, and any other related charges. Your PA auto insurance company can also raise your auto insurance premiums forcing you to find another auto insurance company.
The Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code also makes void any PA auto insurance policy provision that excludes PA auto insurance benefits if the insured driver causes a vehicular accident while under the influence of drugs or intoxicating beverages (DUI/DWI/DAI) at the time of the car accident.Either way, don’t drive drunk! The penalties are overwhelming.
The author of this Law Blog, Michael L. Saile, Jr., Esq. of Saile & Saile LLP, Attorneys-at-Law practices both New Jersey and Pennsylvania criminal, traffic violations, and DUI/DWI/DAI law. Check out our website for DUI penalties. We handle all NJ Municipal Court cases including DUI in the following NJ Municipal Courts: Hopewell Township, Ewing Township, Trenton, Lawrence Township, Hamilton, Pennington, and other Mercer County, Burlington County, and Camden County, NJ courts. We also handle lower bucks county DUI and traffic violation cases in the following towns: Bensalem, Southampton, Richboro, Newtown, Levittown, Langhorne, Doylestown, Warminster, Trevose, Feasterville, Warrington, Bristol, Fallsington, Yardley, New Hope, Holland, Washington Crossing, PA, and other Bucks County courts. We handle DUI cases in Philadelphia. We are located just outside of Philadelphia in lower Bucks County.
