Question
Got a letter in my locker from 'Safety'.
It says that if I decide to take my wife or daughter along for a trip that I HAVE TO PAY, $13 dollars ;more' to cover her. WTF?!?!?
She alreadt has to sign a 'disclaimer' saying that she won't sue the Company or myself.
Me thinks this is just another 'scam' from the Insurance Co,
What's your 'take' on this?
BTW, I (and my wife), have a 'clean' driving reacord.
Maybe you could 'retie' theh 25+ years of drivubg.
Answer
Sounds like they are charging for "passenger accident" coverage. Many trucking companies don't allow passengers and many do. The reason is the amount of liability exposure that exists should a passenger become injured.
While you may have signed a waiver, many courts will not recognize the waiver. Some courts have ruled that you cannot waive the rights of a minor child, so given the right set of circumstances, the "disclaimer" you signed my not hold up in court.
Example: Let's say for conversation, you rearended a vehicle while your wife was in the vehicle. The people in the other vehicle were seriously injured and your wife permanently disabled from her injuries and you were killed. Your parents or in-laws could become guardian to your daughter. However, they could bring a lawsuit for the care of your daughter as a result of your negligence against the motor carrier as you were operating under their authority.
The limit of coverage provided by the motor carrier would now have to cover the people in the other vehicle as well as your wife and adverse decision of the courts for your daughter. Depending on their limit, it could exceed their limit of coverage.
While I know it looks like the insurance companies always have a hand in your pocket, if the courts were not so lienient, we wouldn't have this type of thing.
And just as an aside, the passenger accident policy does not prevent the passenger from seeking retribution from the motor carrier.