Carpooling is good for the environment and your wallet. But have you ever given much thought to what might happen if you get into an accident when it’s your turn to drive – especially if the accident is your fault?
No one ever wants to imagine they might cause an accident and thinking about it with a car filled with your children or your coworkers is even worse. But accidents happen, and if you don’t have enough auto insurance, it’ll go from bad to worse in almost no time at all.
Do You Have the Right Amount of Coverage?
Of course you have an auto insurance policy, but do you have enough coverage? The liability coverage on your policy will cover everyone in the car if an accident occurs but only up to your policy limits. How much coverage do you have, and are you sure it’s enough? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the average cost of medical expenses per person is nearly $16,000. Multiply that by everyone in your vehicle and the other vehicle, plus the cost of damages.
Most drivers barely have enough to cover themselves and maybe the other driver in an accident involving bodily injury. Now, add the number of people in your carpool on any given day. If you don’t have enough insurance to pay for the medical expenses, you’ll be paying out of pocket for the damages. Increasing your auto insurance liability coverage is one way to protect yourself while you’re driving the carpool.
ADD THE RIGHT TYPE OF COVERAGE
Higher liability limits will only get you so far, and increasing it too much could make your auto insurance policy too expensive. After you increase your liability coverage make sure you have the right kind of coverage. There are two kinds of policies you can add to your current coverage.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): While PIP is not mandatory in North Carolina, it is definitely a good idea to include in your auto insurance coverage. It mays for medical expenses, funeral costs, and lost wages of your passengers if you cause an accident. It will only pay up to your policy limits, so work with your insurance agent to make sure you purchase enough.
Medical Payments Coverage: Your liability coverage will pay for bodily injury expenses, but medical payments coverage adds an extra layer of protection. It goes into effect after an accident and pays for things like surgery, the ride in an ambulance, x-rays, and other medical procedures. Anyone in the car with you at the time of the accident is covered.
Accidents can happen at any time, no matter how careful you are as a driver. Add an extra layer of protection by choosing an auto insurance policy that covers you whether you’re running errands alone or headed down the highway with a full vehicle. Contact us at Charlotte Insurance to make sure your policy limits are at a high enough level to adequately cover you and your family. We’re happy to discuss PIP and medical payments coverage and provide a quote.