Litigation regarding the validity and enforceability of various exclusions in auto policies in Pennsylvania is a never-ending tug of war between claimants and insurance companies. The most heated battles are in the realm of household and regular use exclusions. The fight over these exclusions may finally be coming to an end. Before discussing the current status of the law in this area, let us first review the history and development of these concepts.

Household Exclusion

The household exclusion has historically been included in uninsured (UM) and underinsured (UIM) coverage endorsements in Pennsylvania auto policies. The household exclusion bars recovery of UM and UIM benefits if the injuries arise out of the operation of a vehicle owned by the named insured or resident relative but which is not insured under the policy from which benefits are being sought. The most common claim is the personal auto-motorcycle situation where the claimant is injured while using his motorcycle which is not insured under the policy from which benefits are sought. The historical development of this exclusion is of interest in assessing its validity and enforceability.