Duties of agents - 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1318

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     § 1318.  Duties of agents.
        (a)  Verification of financial responsibility.--An agent of
     the Department of Transportation who is authorized to issue on
     behalf of the department a vehicle registration renewal or
     temporary registration shall be required to verify financial
     responsibility prior to issuance.
        (b)  Proof.--Proof of financial responsibility shall be
     verified by examining one of the following documents:
            (1)  An identification card as required by regulations
        promulgated by the Insurance Department.
            (2)  The declaration page of an insurance policy.
            (3)  A certificate of financial responsibility.
            (4)  A valid binder of insurance issued by an insurance
        company licensed to sell motor vehicle liability insurance in
        Pennsylvania.
            (5)  A legible photocopy, facsimile or printout of an
        electronic transmission of a document listed in paragraphs
        (1) through (4), provided the agent receives the photocopy,
        facsimile or printout directly from a licensed insurance
        company or licensed insurance agency. The agent shall not
        accept a photocopy, facsimile or printout unless the licensed
        insurance company or licensed insurance agency provides it on
        the letterhead of the company or the agency, or with a letter
        written upon the company's or agency's letterhead, which
        specifically references the proof of financial responsibility
        by the insured's name and address and the make, model and
        vehicle identification number of the insured vehicle. An
        issuing agent of the department shall not accept a photocopy,
        facsimile or printout of an electronic transmission as proof
        of financial responsibility under this paragraph when the
        issuing agent is also acting as an insurance agent for the
        licensed insurance company or licensed insurance agency.
        (c)  Handwritten proof of financial responsibility.--If
     handwritten proof of financial responsibility is acceptable
     proof of insurance in the state where the vehicle is to be
     registered, the issuing agent is authorized to accept such
     handwritten proof, provided the issuing agent receives written
     confirmation from the applicable state, insurance company or
     insurance agency that handwritten proof is acceptable in that
     state. The agent shall retain a copy of the written confirmation
     along with the copy of the document provided as proof of
     financial responsibility.
        (d)  Verification of information on application.--In addition
     to any other duty prescribed by this title or departmental
     regulations, an agent shall verify that the purchase price
     stated on the application approximates the fair market value of
     the vehicle in a manner prescribed by the department as set
     forth in a notice published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
        (e)  Penalty.--Any person who violates this section, in
     addition to any penalty, suspension or revocation imposed by the
     department, commits a summary offense and shall, upon
     conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $100 nor
     more than $500 and for each subsequent or additional offense a
     fine of not less than $200 nor more than $500, or to
     imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.
     (Feb. 7, 1990, P.L.11, No.6, eff. 60 days; July 11, 1996,
     P.L.660, No.115, eff. 60 days; Apr. 17, 1997, P.L.6, No.3, eff.
     60 days)

        1997 Amendment.  Act 3 added subsecs. (d) and (e).

Last modified: November 27, 2007