CAR POOLING

With increasing fuel costs and periodic transit strikes, sharing a ride to work with a co-worker is becoming an increasingly popular way to get to work.

THE BENEFITS

1. The most obvious benefit is financial. Whether you share the driving duties or share in the cost of gas, money will be saved by all participants.

2. Car pooling results in fewer vehicles on the road which, in turn, reduces vehicle emissions and helps our environment and air quality.

3. Not only will you be saving money on gas and helping the environment, you may also save time by using High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. HOV lanes on provincial highways are reserved for vehicles carrying at least 2 people. They are designed to help move more people through congested areas. The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario also provides free car pool parking lots near dozens of highway interchanges throughout southern Ontario. For a map of the HOV lanes in the GTA and to download carpool parking lot locations please visit:

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/hov/index.html#whatis

HOW IS YOUR AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE AFFECTED?

Giving a ride to someone in return for a ride, or sharing the cost of an occasional trip with others, is covered under your basic policy. If you regularly receive compensation (including, but not limited to, money for gas) for giving a ride to a co-worker, special coverage may need to be arranged. It is also important to keep in mind that, in the event of an accident with injuries, your passengers may claim for their injuries through your policy if they do not have an automobile policy of their own. Before starting any car pooling program, you should discuss your individual situation with a licensed insurance professional.