Ottawa Driver Travelling by Car in The U.S.?

We had a fabulous trip this summer, driving to Florida and then back along the Eastern United States.   Before we went, we did what all Ontarians should do before a US driving trip.  We called our auto insurer to check our insurance coverage.  Yes, it sounds a little uptight.  But if you ever needed it…

Most people don’t realize that their own policy’s liability limits protect them in the event of an uninsured motorist, an unidentified motorist, or an under-insured motorist is involved in an accident.  This is very important if you travel to the United Statesbecause many states have very low minimum liability limits.  For example, there are a number ofU.S.states where you only need to carry $15,000.00 in liability insurance!  That means that if you were struck by a vehicle carrying only $15,000.00 in liability insurance and you had a very serious accident involving you and perhaps others in your family, absent your own insurance policy, $15,000.00 would be all there would be.  Fortunately, in Ontario, our minimum policy limits are $200,000.00.  Virtually all Ontarians carry at least $1,000,000.00 but those who can should carry $2,000,000.00 or more to protect their own family.   That way, if you are involved in a serious accident, your own insurance policy is there as a backstop.

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