“Mom, the shuttle bus driver.” Does that sound like you or someone you know? It may not be your “full-time job,” but if you have young children at home you probably take your turn at shuttling kids to and from after-school or weekend activities. You probably don’t even think about your auto insurance in this context but maybe you should — transporting kids (your own and others) comes with certain risks that could affect your insurance.
- Who’s responsible in an accident? — Drivers can be legally liable for passengers’ injuries — and most personal auto policies will extend coverage for injuries to passengers when you’re driving your own car.
- What’s typically covered? — Although most auto policies will cover your actions in a car that isn’t yours, many contain restrictions on the size and type of vehicle involved. So if you plan to rent or borrow a larger vehicle — such as a van to take the soccer team to an out-of-town match — call me so you can be sure you have the coverage you want.
- What if you’re driving someone else’s vehicle? — It may depend on the situation. Your personal auto insurance policies might not cover your legal liability if you cause an accident while you’re driving your employer’s or your neighbor’s vehicle (particularly if your neighbor’s car is available for your regular use). Teachers and coaches should use school district vehicles to transport students and players to and from events, rather than their personal vehicles. Finally, even if you are covered, if you have an accident in which several passengers are involved, medical and other costs could easily exceed the limits typical of most personal auto policies.
What you can do
- Increase your liability limits — Consider increasing your auto liability limits, which applies for all injuries caused by an accident for which you are legally liable, including passengers in your car as well as other cars. I can work with you so you can be sure you have the liability coverage you want.
- Get under an umbrella — In addition to your auto liability coverage, you may want to consider a personal liability umbrella policy. This policy provides coverage that creates an “umbrella” of liability protection above all of your other personal liability policies such as your auto and homeowners. Your auto liability coverage may not be enough to pay for all the damages that result from an accident, and if you’re the legally responsible driver, you could face significant out-of-pocket expenses.
- Talk to me — I can show you some coverage options, such as non-owned vehicle coverage, that may be appropriate for your situation.
Today’s drivers are faced with many distractions that pose a risk for accidents. If you’re driving children around frequently, it’s important that you understand your personal auto coverage so you can be sure you have the insurance you want. I can help; contact me today.
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Re-print from Farmers Insurance
Some of my past related Blogs:
Do you need an Umbrella policy?
Insuring Older Cars?
* The content of this blog is for informative purposes only. It does not reflect official standing of any agent, agency, or company mentioned on the blog. Nor is this blog necessarilly an endorsement. Please consult with your insurance, tax, or legal specialist before making any decisions. This blog is purely meant to spark the thought process.
