Furlough helps
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The following item appeared in the March 9th, 2007 Brigada Today (distributed Apr. 8, 2007). [To subscribe to Brigada Today, write to brigada-today-subscribe@yahoogroups.com See the Brigada website [1] for more information.]
HELP DAN FIND CAR INSURANCE DURING FURLOUGH -- Here's a Brigada participant, Dan, who asks, "Anyone know any of a short-term car insurance policy that could be purchased for a missionary while on furlough? Those who have lived outside of the US for years have trouble getting car insurance while visiting; either that, or the prices are way out of reach. Is it possible to get a policy that would not apply to a specific vehicle, but whichever vehicle a missionary happens to be driving while on furlough?" If you have an answer to Dan's questions, log on to this web address:
Click "edit this page" and write some simple text, just like writing an email. The moment you hit "submit", everybody will be able to see your suggestions.
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Please make your suggestions below this line:
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[edit] *1st suggestion
If you borrow a car, the owner's insurance usually covers all legitimate drivers; if your rent a car, don't get insurance from the rental car agency; the cost of such is really high on an annual basis, even on a weekly basis. Best to check out the owner's insurance if you borrow a car to be sure that all licensed drivers are covered by his/her policy.
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[edit] *2nd suggestion
Some insurance companies offer Non-Owned automobile coverage. The name of the policy may vary depending on the insurance company. This insurance will NOT cover for any damage to the vehicle you are driving. This coverage is for injury to the other party, whether in a car or a pedestrian, or for damage to their vehicle or property. You can also purchase Uninsured Motorists Bodily Injury coverage that will cover for injury for you or passengers in your vehicle if you are hit by an uninsured motorist.
Most people are tempted to only take the minimum coverage that is required by the state so they can save money. This is not a good idea as this does not cover much in the way of medical expenses if you cause injury to someone else. If you do not have enough coverage, the other person can go after your assets to get enough money to cover their expenses. After that they can through the courts go after any future earnings. Always check for the costs to increase Bodily Injury coverage and Property damage coverage and if you take Uninsured Motorists coverage make sure it matches the Bodily Injury coverage. A good minimum coverage for Bodily Injury would be 50,000 per person/100,000 per accident and for Property Damage of 50,000 per accident.
Whatever insurance that is on a vehicle that you drive will be the primary insurance. If you do not already have an insurance policy and you rent a car you will need to purchase their insurance. If you have a gold credit card, perhaps even platinum, there are some additional coverages that are given while renting a car. Check this out with the credit card issuer.
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[edit] * 3rd suggestion
It may help to just ask a relative to call their agent and explain the situation. While still out of country, I called a few companies myself to explain with no success. My dad called one State Farm office and got the run around but next called his State Farm rep and got a quote for me with no trouble. We still kept valid U.S. licenses, that probably helps quite a bit. Also go with whatever company you had B4 you left for the field; they may be more sympathetic.
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[edit] * 4th suggestion
My wife and I had eight furloughs during our missionary career before we retired this year. We found out many furloughs ago that State Farm (in California) was the friendliest toward missionaries who had "no recent driving record" and so have always stayed with them.
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[edit] * 5th suggestion
I maintained my car insurance policy for about 10 years with my State Farm agent by adding a small $5 or $10 per month life insurance component to my car insurance. So when I left the US, I called/emailed and said take my car off the policy and as I was ready to return to the US I would call or write and they would put my car back on the policy. It was always in full month increments of course, but I was always insured. When you take your car off, that means a refund of premium, but as I recall, I just had them hold it. It was an agent I had before going overseas.
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[edit] * 6th suggestion
Check out GuideOne Insurance company; they are Christian people and help churches and Christians. They have been very helpful to us.
[edit] * 7th suggestion
Our church has car insurance coverage for when we rent vans or moving trucks. So when missionaries come to town, we rent cars for them under our car insurance and they only have to reimburse us for the rental.
