Does my car insurance cover car pooling?
I use my 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan to car pool to work with co-workers. Am I covered if I get into an accident while car pooling?
You car insurance policy has an exclusion for that will deny coverage if you use your vehicle for "public conveyance", which simply means if you use your car as a taxi cab, your personal auto insurance will not cover you.
However, there is an exception to this exclusion which states that a share-the-expense car pool is A-OK and your car insurance will provide coverage in the event of an accident. Just make sure your vehicle is rated for commute use.
Since you have a minivan, there's a good chance you have kids in school as well. You can also use your van to transport children to and from school activities and be reimbursed for mileage and expenses without triggering the coverage exclusion.
The premise for having the "public or livery conveyance" exclusion is that when you are hiring out your vehicle for transport, you are in a commercial activity and that's where your personal auto insurance policy draws the line.
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