Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 40, October 5, 2024
(a)Authorized dealers, manufacturers and full agents to be bonded. Every authorized dealer, manufacturer and full agent shall file and maintain with the Bureau a bond executed by a surety company authorized to transact business in this Commonwealth. The bond shall be for the use and benefit of the Commonwealth and a person who has sustained a monetary loss within the limitations of the bond as specified in subsection (d).(b)Amount of bond. Issuing agents, other than card agents, shall be bonded in the amount as set forth in the Agent Services Agreement.(c)Decrease in amount of bond. If the amount of the bond is decreased, or if there is a final judgment outstanding against the bond, the right of the authorized dealer, manufacturer or full agent to issue temporary registration cards and plates will be suspended until steps are taken, satisfactory to the Bureau, to restore the original amount of the bond, provide additional bond or satisfy the judgment.(d)Limitations of bond. The bond required under this section shall cover transactions in which the Commonwealth or a person specified in subsection (a) has sustained a monetary loss due to the agent, dealer or manufacturer submitting a dishonored or uncollectible check to the Commonwealth (including protest and uncollectible check fees), or failing to remit to the Commonwealth a fee or tax when the monetary loss is incurred in connection with the business of the dealer or manufacturer. A check which is dishonored upon presentment, or an application for title or registration which is received without a required fee or tax, shall constitute a monetary loss. Failure to pay a monetary penalty within 45 days of assessment shall also constitute a monetary loss. The bond required under this section may not cover a loss for a transaction which is not mentioned in this subsection relating to the issuance of temporary registration cards or plates in connection with the business of the dealer, manufacturer or full agent. If the dealer, manufacturer or full agent has one or more branch offices, the amount of the bond shall be as specified in the Agent Services Agreement.(e)Bond already on file. An authorized dealer, manufacturer or full agent who has filed a bond with the Commonwealth will not be required to file a separate bond under this section, if the bond already on file with the Commonwealth is in the name of the Commonwealth and at least equal to the amount and coverage of the bond required under this section.(f)Acceptance. The surety and terms of bonds or riders shall be subject to review and acceptance by the Bureau.(g)Change of address. When a change of address occurs, a stipulation or rider to the original bond shall be submitted for the new address.(h)Authorized claims. The Bureau has the right to make and settle claims upon the bond with the surety company on behalf of the Commonwealth and a person who has incurred a monetary loss as specified in subsection (a). The Bureau will, upon written request, assign this right to a person for that person's claim; however, in this event, the Commonwealth is released from any duty to the person towards obtaining satisfaction of that person's claim. The Commonwealth will have priority, to the exclusion of all others, in receiving payment from the surety. If the aggregate amount of valid claims exceeds the amount of the bond, priority for the payment of claims shall be as follows:(1) Claims made by the Commonwealth.(2) Claims made by the Commonwealth for persons.(3) Claims made by persons who obtained assignment from the Bureau.The provisions of this §43.9 adopted September 2, 1977, effective 9/3/1977, 7 Pa.B. 2561; amended April 11, 1979, effective 4/14/1979, 9 Pa.B. 1309; readopted January 5, 1990, effective immediately to November 17, 1989, 20 Pa.B. 21; amended July 9, 1993, effective 7/10/1993, 23 Pa.B. 3347; amended November 27, 1998, effective 11/28/1998, 28 Pa.B. 5872; corrected December 11, 1998, effective 11/28/1998, 28 Pa.B. 6082; amended October 5, 2012, effective 10/6/2012, 42 Pa.B. 6290. This section cited in 67 Pa. Code § 43.4 (relating to authorization to issue temporary registration plates).