Careful: Slugs not covered under your insurance

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   Agents do not know they are salespeople and are selling you something.  If you want to be safe call your insurance carrier and ask for the actual policy manual as afar as covered of "strangers."

	I called GEICO, my carrier and asked and was sent the policy pages dealing with the issue.  This was a few years ago, so I do not still have them to write it verbatim but it was along the lines of:  This policy covers all passengers, except ones not known to the drivers, such as but not limited to "hitchhikers", "stranded motorists", ( I forgot the other examples but there were about five total and again it is not limited to those - the yare just clarification.) 

	Now if you get in a small accident, with no material claims, there will likely not be a problem.  But if you have an accident where the person needs several thousand dollars or more in claims, the insurance company will likely investigate, trying to find reasons why they do not have to pay (higher the claim the more investigation into this.) 

	When this happens (auto policy denies claim), my guess is "the slug" will try using his health insurance.  The health insurance carrier will wonder why the auto policy is not paying and will likely give "the slug" a hassle and initially deny coverage saying the auto policy is responsible.  That stance could last a while, causing hardship to "the slug" who will then likely personally sue the driver. Depending on the size (larger more chance of denial of claim) of the claim, this could grow into quit the hardship for both parties. 

	If you are the driver, call your carrier and ask for the actual policy manual that explains coverage of passengers and strangers. If you call a salesman agent or a low level customer service representative, taking their words, without officially confirming as I suggest (maybe your carrier will cover but confirm in writing either in policy or by someone wit hauthority), then don't complain if this nightmare happens and the agent or representative simply say, "sorry I thought that was correct."

	If you are the "slug" there is no way to really eb safe because you do not know who the auto insurance carrier or what the particular policy is for each ride. 

	Good luck and safe journeys.

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9nines Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote 9nines Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Jul 2006 at 9:15am
	Agents do not know they are salespeople and are selling you something. If you want to be safe call your insurance carrier and ask for the actual policy manual as afar as covered of "strangers." I called GEICO, my carrier and asked and was sent the policy pages dealing with the issue. This was a few years ago, so I do not still have them to write it verbatim but it was along the lines of: This policy covers all passengers, except ones not known to the drivers, such as but not limited to "hitchhikers", "stranded motorists", ( I forgot the other examples but there were about five total and again it is not limited to those - the yare just clarification.) Now if you get in a small accident, with no material claims, there will likely not be a problem. But if you have an accident where the person needs several thousand dollars or more in claims, the insurance company will likely investigate, trying to find reasons why they do not have to pay (higher the claim the more investigation into this.) When this happens (auto policy denies claim), my guess is "the slug" will try using his health insurance. The health insurance carrier will wonder why the auto policy is not paying and will likely give "the slug" a hassle and initially deny coverage saying the auto policy is responsible. That stance could last a while, causing hardship to "the slug" who will then likely personally sue the driver. Depending on the size (larger more chance of denial of claim) of the claim, this could grow into quit the hardship for both parties. If you are the driver, call your carrier and ask for the actual policy manual that explains coverage of passengers and strangers. If you call a salesman agent or a low level customer service representative, taking their words, without officially confirming as I suggest (maybe your carrier will cover but confirm in writing either in policy or by someone wit hauthority), then don't complain if this nightmare happens and the agent or representative simply say, "sorry I thought that was correct." If you are the "slug" there is no way to really eb safe because you do not know who the auto insurance carrier or what the particular policy is for each ride. Good luck and safe journeys.

9nines Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote 9nines Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Jul 2006 at 9:43am
	Correction: GEICO, at least, has changed (the stranger exclusion is no longer there - i.e.e "slug" would be covered now) I just requested the current policy. Here is how it reads: B. "Covered person" as used in this Part means: a. private passenger auto; b. pickup or van that you own; or 1. You or any family member: c. trailer used with a vehicle described in (8.a. or a. while occupying; or 8.b.) above. b. when struck by; 9. Caused by or as a consequence of: a motor vehicle designed for use mainly on public a. discharge of a nuclear weapon (even if accidenroads or a trailer of any type. tal); 2. Any other person while occupying your covered b. war (declared or undeclared); auto. c. civil war; d. insurrection; or EXCLUSIONS e. rebellion or revolution. We do not provide Medical Payments Coverage for any 10. From or as a consequence of the following whether person for bodily injury: controlled or uncontrolled or however caused: 1. Sustained while occupying any motorized vehicle a. nuclear reaction; having less than four wheels. b. radiation; or c. radioactive contamination. 2. Sustained while occupying your covered auto when it is: LIMIT OF LIABILITY a. being used to carry persons for a fee; this does A. The limit of liability shown in the Declarations for not apply to a share-the-expense car pool; or this coverage is our maximum limit of liability for b. being used to carry property for a fee; this does each person injured in any one accident. This is the not apply to you or any family member unless most we will pay regardless of the number of: the primary usage of the vehicle is to carry 1. covered persons; property for a fee; or 2. Claims made; c. rented or leased to another; this does not apply 3. Vehicles or premiums shown in the Declarations; if you or any family member lends your cov- or ered auto to another for reimbursement of op- 4. Vehicles involved in the accident. erating expenses only. B. Any amounts otherwise payable for expenses under 3. Sustained while occupying any vehicle located for this coverage shall be reduced by any amounts paid use as a residence or premises. or payable for the same expense under any Auto Li4. Occurring during the course of employment if work- ability or Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Coverers' compensation benefits are required or available age provided by this policy. for the bodily injury. C. No payment will be made unless the injured person 5. Sustained while occupying or, when struck by, any or that person's legal representative agrees in writing vehicle (other than your covered auto) which is: that any payment shall be applied toward any settlement or judgment that person receives under any a. owned by you; or Auto Liability or Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists b. furnished or available for your regular use. Coverage provided by this policy. 6. Sustained while occupying or when struck by, any OTHER INSURANCE vehicle (other than your covered auto) which is: If there is other applicable auto medical payments insura. owned by any family member; or ance we will pay only our share of the loss. Our share is b. furnished or available for the regular use of any the proportion that our limit of liability bears to the total family member . of all applicable limits. However, any insurance we proHowever this exclusion (6.) does not apply to you. vide with respect to a vehicle you do not own shall be excess over any other collectible auto insurance provid- 7. Sustained while occupying a vehicle without a rea- ing payments for medical or funeral expenses. sonable belief that that person is entitled to do so. This exclusion (7.) does not apply to you or any fam- ASSIGNMENT OF BENEFITS ily member while using your covered auto. Payments for medical expenses will be paid directly to a 8. Sustained while occupying a vehicle when it is being physician or other health care provider if we receive a used in the business or occupation of a covered per- written assignment signed by the covered person to son. This exclusion (8.) does not apply to bodily in- whom such benefits are payable.