My sister and I have put up a travel agency here in California. I sometimes use my car to drive around clients. If I get into an accident with my clients onboard, will my car insurance pay for the damages?

Shelly

San Diego, CA

Since you are obviously using your car to transport passengers that pay you with a certain fee, then your car is considered to be used for business purposes. Whether this transporting of clients is done occasionally or on a daily basis, your car can be under the category of livery use. It means that the car is used to transport or carry passengers in exchange for a fee. It can also mean using the car to deliver packages like pizza or newspapers in exchange for a payment or tip. This type of vehicle use is definitely excluded from your personal passenger car insurance policy. In your case, you will have to purchase a commercial car insurance policy. Although it may cost more than your regular car insurance coverage, it will be a very sound business investment. You would not want to end up in a road accident with injured clients and no financial assistance for necessary medical care, would you?

Talk to a local car insurance agent in California about this matter. You can also check the websites of car insurance companies licensed to do business in California and do some comparison shopping. This way you know all your options and have a higher chance of getting competitive rates.