Question: My insurance company is balking at paying a claim because they say I was not supposed to be driving my wife’s car when I got into an accident. The agent told me when I bought the policy we would be covered in one another’s cars. Are there lawyers that specialize in auto insurance law for this situation?

Answer: Many states require that if you live at the same address you must be covered under each others policies. This is designed to keep people form not insuring family members that are driving a vehicle consistently.

In your specific situation it sounds like you were assured by the agent that you would be covered regardless of which car was driven by whom. In this case we recommend gathering every document you have that relates to your insurance policies.

It is especially important to write down, as close to verbatim as possible, what was said when you asked about being covered to drive your wife’s car. If there was someone else present when this conversation took place make sure you have them write down their recollection of this conversation as well.

Contact your insurance company and explain that you were told you would be covered. In the event they are still unwilling to honor your claim then you should not hesitate to inform them you will be consulting an attorney who specializes in auto insurance law.