How to Be Legally Covered When Using a Carpool Service

Carpooling is becoming a popular cost-saving practice in many metropolitan areas. There are two sides to the question of whether you are covered in carpooling. The first is whether the car insures each person. The other is whether the driver is protected. Insurance policies differ greatly and while most do insure both, it may not be enough. Before you join a carpool service, make sure you are legally covered.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Read your policy and other drivers' policies. Call the insurance company and ask them to send you a copy of the entire policy. Most people don't have the entire policy. They have what looks like a policy, but it is really a summary without all the sections. Call the insurance company and get the entire policy.
2. Read the exclusions and exceptions sections for the policy. Look for language that exclude certain persons riding in your car. Look for exclusions of certain types of services using your car.
3. Call your insurance agent and ask. Explain your situation to the agent. Ask the agent to review your policy and explain the policy to you. Ask if there have been any similar claims filed and whether those claims were covered.
4. Add the additional coverage if needed. Raise the limits on the policy to cover all the people in the car. Many policies won't cover all the costs involved in an accident. Raise your policy limits and consider multiplying the policy for each seat belt in the car.
5. Get insurance on yourself and wear your seat belt.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask your insurance agent whether the insurance company offers a carpooling discount.
• An agent can give misinformation that leads to your not being covered. Contact the insurance company's hotline and ask a few different people to interpret the policy for you. Get a consensus.