Expert: Richard L Carranza - 1/28/2005

Question
I work cleaning houses for someone else and my insurance company said I  would not be covered while driving from house to house.Is this common and can you explain this.  Thanks

Answer
The standard personal auto policy does not cover "business pursuits".  Your driving from house to house would be considered "business pursuits" and is excluded per standard policy language.

Let me ask.. do you work for yourself or for someone else?  Reason I ask is that if you work for someone else (you are an employee) then they should have a commercial auto policy set up to cover "non-owned autos" (in this case cars of employees used in the furtherance of the business) while being used in furtherance of the business.

If you work for yourself or if your employer doesn't have a policy and doesn't intend to get one then you need to change your policy from a personal auto policy to a commercial auto policy.. it may cost you more but then you should be able to write the cost of insurance off as a business expense.

If you are employed talk to your employer about this situation and how they want to handle it...

If you are self-employed talk to your insurance agent about your situation and your needs..

Hope and trust that the above answers your question and provides some direction.

Feel free to get back to me with any further questions/needs relative to this issue.

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Thanks