Ask PIA

Aftermarket (non-OEM) parts

We have an insured who was in an auto accident. The carrier wants to make the repair with aftermarket parts. Our client is very upset with this and wants to know whether there is any requirement that the insurer repair this Chrysler with Chrysler OEM parts.

Arbitration procedure for vehicle damage claims

We’ve run into a situation in which the claimant and the insurer just can’t agree on a settlement for a collision loss. Where can we turn?

‘Service bus’ operator’s license

We insure a social-service agency. Their employees transport children who reside at their facility. They drive regular private-passenger-type minivans (e.g., Plymouth Voyagers and Dodge Caravans).

Recently, our insured said that another operation similar to their own had an employee who was stopped by the police and cited for not having a public service license. We checked with our insurance carrier and they are unaware of any such license. Can you advise us whether such a special license exists in Connecticut?

Repair shop as payee

We have a client with a collision claim. The company wrote out the check to the insured and the auto repair shop. They told us they do this for all collision claims now. Is this legal?

Extended rental period

My client has two cars insured on a personal automobile policy. His son is away at college, so the two vehicles have been adequate for him and his wife. His son is coming home for the summer, and my client wants to rent a third car for two-and-a-half months. He would drive the rental car, and his son would drive one of their own vehicles. Will he have coverage for the rental car under the personal automobile policy? 

Coverage for bike—car accident

While my insured was out riding his bike, he hit and damaged a car. Which policy pays—his auto or his homeowners?

After-market parts

What are the rules governing the use of after-market parts in New Jersey?

Resident family member

My clients insure a vehicle, used by their son at college, on a personal auto policy. The parents are planning to leave the country for two years. They have made arrangements to have the policy billed at the grandparent’s address.

Is it alright to leave the parents as the named insureds on this policy?

Joint ownership coverage endorsement

Could you clarify what the Joint Ownership Coverage (PP 03 34) endorsement to the Insurance Services Office Personal Auto Policy is designed to do?

Coverage not terminated by plate surrender

Our insured’s vehicle was hit while parked. We reported the loss to the negligent party’s carrier to collect on a third-party basis. The company confirmed that coverage was in place.

Then, three weeks later, the company told us their insured had surrendered his plates the day before the accident. (He had borrowed somebody’s plates and put them on the vehicle to move it from one place to another.) It looks like the carrier may try to deny the claim based on the surrender of the plates. Would they be able to do this?

BAP Symbol 7—newly acquired auto coverage

Our insured has an business auto policy written with Symbol 7 for comprehensive coverage on the ISO Business Auto Coverage Form. If a comprehensive loss occurs to a newly acquired auto within 30 days after acquisition, but before notifying our agency or the insurer that the auto has been acquired, would this loss be covered?

Falling object

As a car is driving down the highway behind a truck, something flies off the truck. The car can’t avoid the object and runs over it, causing a puncture in the gas tank. Is this comprehensive (falling object) or collision? Also, does this constitute a chargeable accident?

Transgender operators

How does a producer address transgender operators when placing auto insurance?

How to insure self-driving vehicles