AboutRichard Expertise I have been the no-fault insurance administrator and arbitration specialist for 18 years working for a plaintiffs` law firm. I have a copy of and am familiar with the newest Reg.68 of the New York State insurance law and have sucessfully represented over 300 applicants at hearings and have guided more than 1,500 more that didn`t need to actually go to a hearing.
Expert: Richard Date: 6/13/2008 Subject: Laps in Car Insurance
Question I had a car accident on Tuesday morning around 8 am. I was trying to avoid and accident and ended up having one. While I did no damage to the vehicle I hit my truck is in serious damage. I thought my insurance was current but my lovely husband did not make the payment on time which it was canceled at 12:01 am on June the 8th. He made the payment without my knowledge that I was not even covered on June 10th at 8:59 am. The tropper did not come out to do the police report until after 9:30 am. The gentleman who took my recorded statement said they may not cover my truck because of the laps in insurance. Is this allowable. I feel like the victim because I did not know my husband was not up on the payments but I need to know what could or will happen.
Thanks,
Dawn Stevens
Answer Hi Dawn, if this accident was your fault then you had best read your insurance policy closely to find out if there is any grace period for late payment written into it. If the insurance policy was officially cancelled then you will not have any coverage for your truck or for the damages to the other vehicle because technically the policy was not in effect at the time of the accident and thus you were an uninsured driver. On top of the non-coverage there further exists the possibility of a fine from the California Dept. of Motor Vehicles for no insurance. This little gaffe on the part of hubby will probably be a little expensive and certainly a big hassle for you.
