Automobile Policy Myths
Myth: anyone can drive my vehicle and be covered
The truth is, while anyone can drive your vehicle, your coverage’s and if they’ve been given permission, have a lot to do with it. Comprehensive and collision (if you have it) will remain, that coverage is for the vehicle. So if the vehicle is totaled while someone else is driving and it’s their fault, you pay your deductible, and your vehicle will be covered. Now, if you give permission for someone else to drive it, the bodily injury & property damage will remain, but only for the minimum Oklahoma requirements. If the limits on your policy are higher, and an un listed driver gets into an accident in your vehicle, you won’t be covered for your full limits of liability. If you’ve got someone who will be regularly driving your vehicle and you’ve got higher liability limits, it may be a good idea to discuss adding them on as a driver.
Myth: I have “full coverage” so that means I’m fully covered for anything that happens
The term “full coverage” isn’t one I like to use, because it’s very misleading. A majority of the time when someone says “full coverage” they mean they’re needing comprehensive and collision on the vehicle. But if a claim were to take place, and there are injuries due to an uninsured driver, insured’s can think their medical bills will be taken care of because they have “full coverage”, but without uninsured motorist coverage, they wouldn’t be taken care of. So if you got an auto policy and said you wanted “full coverage” have your agent explain what that means, and if you don’t have some coverage’s you thought you did, it can always be added on.
Myth: I have rental coverage that means I will get a rental car the same model and make as the damaged vehicle
The truth is, if your insured vehicle is damaged, needs to be repaired, and you get a rental car, that car won’t necessarily be the same. An example of this, especially in southeastern Oklahoma, is a farmer gets into an accident in his flat bed truck. While the truck is being repaired, he needs a rental car to be able to get around in. That doesn’t mean he’s going to get another flat bed truck. Usually, rental coverage will only pay for a small midsize vehicle, and if you want a different vehicle, the difference in price would fall to the insured. Details of rental coverage vary by carrier, so to see if you’ve got rental, or what it would cover, contact your insurance agent.
Certain policies vary by carrier, so always check with your agent to make sure you’ve got the kind of coverage you think you have. And if you find you don’t have something, it can always be added on.
-Jordan Newcomer
Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent
