When Does Auto Insurance Coverage Apply?
When you buy auto insurance coverage, you expect it to protect you when you're driving. This is generally true, but just like with any other insurance product, there are rules you need to follow. Here are some situations that you need to consider.
Renting a Car
Your auto insurance coverage generally applies to rental cars. This includes both liability and property damage protection. There are several policy exceptions to be aware of. The first is the limit on how many days a rental car will be covered. This can be both the number of days renting a car in a row as well as the total number of days you rent a car out of a month or year. This is because your auto insurance coverage only provides temporary coverage for rental cars.
The next exception is for certain types or values of cars. Your auto insurance coverage may not apply to sports cars, expensive SUVs, or moving vans. There could also be a maximum dollar amount of the value of the rental car for your rental to be covered.
Borrowing a Car
Borrowing a car is very similar to renting a car. You will usually have coverage if you borrow someone else's car temporarily. There will also be limits on the type of car you can borrow and be covered. If you do get into an accident, both your own auto insurance and the owner's auto insurance may apply. However, for your own peace of mind, you want to make sure that your own auto insurance would cover you. This is the only way to be sure of the coverage and limits that would be available to you versus relying on the insurance someone else chose.
Driving Off-Road
Off-road driving can be a confusing part of auto insurance coverage. This is something that most auto insurance policies specifically exclude unless you buy special additional coverage. It's important to understand that off-road generally means areas that aren't normally used as roads or that are only used for recreational purposes.
You still have auto insurance coverage if you drive on a dirt road. Unpaved parking lots are also covered. Where you wouldn't be covered is in a field, the beach, or the woods. Off-road driving tracks would also be excluded from regular auto insurance coverage.
To learn more about auto insurance coverage and what you need to be covered in different situations, talk to a local auto insurance company today.