Exclusions listed in a personal auto insurance policy vary depending upon what state laws permit and then the guidelines of your car insurance company. When something is noted as excluded on your policy, it means that your policy won't cover it.
Exclusions can be associated with a person, property, location, peril or specific situation.
These limitations to your coverage are important to know so that you don't end up in a situation where you find out after an auto accident that you have no coverage -- or have voided your policy. (Remember if your policy doesn't cover you, then you'll be stuck paying out-of-pocket usually.)
Intentional acts are excluded from coverage
Policies typically have an exclusion for intentional or criminal acts, such as fleeing from the police or crashing your car into other people's vehicles deliberately. That includes any sort of road rage type of behavior.
Another example of an intentional act that would not be covered is if you set your car on fire to cash in on the policy.
Prohibited uses are excluded from coverage
But it's not necessarily criminal behavior that leaves you exposed. Most insurance policies exclude certain types of use as well.
Many typically won't cover your car if you use it as a taxi or act as a chauffeur, or if you rent it out to strangers through a car-sharing program.
Many policies will also have exclusions on where you can drive your car, such as off-road driving with a four-wheeler or speed racing with a fast car.
But if you accidentally drive off a cliff (and actually survive!), your insurance company will cover you.
Besides exclusions, a policy may have other restrictions to look for.
To be aware of your exclusions and restrictions, read your policy and then contact our agency if you have questions.
Exclusions can be associated with a person, property, location, peril or specific situation.
These limitations to your coverage are important to know so that you don't end up in a situation where you find out after an auto accident that you have no coverage -- or have voided your policy. (Remember if your policy doesn't cover you, then you'll be stuck paying out-of-pocket usually.)
Intentional acts are excluded from coverage
Policies typically have an exclusion for intentional or criminal acts, such as fleeing from the police or crashing your car into other people's vehicles deliberately. That includes any sort of road rage type of behavior.
Another example of an intentional act that would not be covered is if you set your car on fire to cash in on the policy.
Prohibited uses are excluded from coverage
But it's not necessarily criminal behavior that leaves you exposed. Most insurance policies exclude certain types of use as well.
Many typically won't cover your car if you use it as a taxi or act as a chauffeur, or if you rent it out to strangers through a car-sharing program.
Many policies will also have exclusions on where you can drive your car, such as off-road driving with a four-wheeler or speed racing with a fast car.
But if you accidentally drive off a cliff (and actually survive!), your insurance company will cover you.
Besides exclusions, a policy may have other restrictions to look for.
To be aware of your exclusions and restrictions, read your policy and then contact our agency if you have questions.
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