Expert: Anne - 4/22/2009

Question
Hello I am an 18 year old who has a joint custody between my mom and my dad i live at each house the same amount of time switching off each week. I was wondering since i live at both houses the same amount of time would i be covered under my dads insurance, and my moms insurance while driving the cars they have insured if I am not insured?

Answer
Hello Sean,

Your issue here is that you are 18, meaning your are not a child and the words "custody" do not apply to you. This is important because you could have some major coverage issues.

The problem will begin with the definition of Family Member (not what we think it means, but what the insurance policy says it means, which usually limits to only residents of the household).

By operation of law, you can only be resident of one household, even if you spent time between homes. You residency will usually be where you are domiciled (where is your license registered, your mail delivered, etc).

If you are a member of one household but are driving a vehicle of another household often (that vehicle is available for your regular use), There might not be coverage if you cause and accident (Regular Use Exclusion on auto policies).

I know this is somewhat odd, but you are taking the right steps by ensuring that you will have coverage if and when you have an accident. For more information on coverage, please visit:

http://www.auto-insurance-claim-advice.com/insurance-coverages.html

The best thing for you to do is to clearly explain to an insurance agent what is going on and put it on writing so you know that a given insurance company will actually cover you.

I hope this helps

Good Luck
Anne
http://www.QuirogaLawOffice.com