• Would you be surprised to learn that if your laptop gets stolen during a car break-in, your automobile insurance probably won't reimburse you for the loss? Don't be.
Many people have only a vague idea of things like: what their car insurance does and doesn't cover; how they might accidentally void their coverage; or that even if an accident isn't their fault, their own insurance may not pay for damages if they don't have the right kind of coverage.
• Common car insurance exclusions include:
• Named driver exclusion. This is an agreement between you and your insurance company to exclude a specific person from coverage for liability or physical damage caused when driving a car you insure. You might choose it if, for example, the insurer is threatening to cancel your policy because a family member has an unsafe driving record or a suspended license.
• Such drivers should never be allowed to drive cars from which they've been excluded; it's the same as driving uninsured and you both could be held personally liable for any damages.
• Interestingly, some policies will cover friends and/or family members when they drive your car, provided they don't live in your household. Coverage levels in such situations may be less, so check your policy carefully for details.
• Car rental insurance. Car rental agencies offer their own collision, liability, theft and other insurance coverage. Conventional wisdom says you should avoid buying it if your own insurance - or benefits available from your credit card - provide similar coverage for rental cars. However, first contact your insurance company and credit card issuer to make sure you are fully covered.
• Replacing stolen items. Most car insurance policies won't reimburse you for items stolen from your car that are not permanently installed (like built-in sound systems). These might include cellphones, computers, wallets, luggage, etc. However,

(Continued on page 3)