Is collision damage covered when a covered auto is being used in a share-the-expense car pool?

Collision damage is indeed covered when a covered auto is being used in a share-the-expense car pool. Personal auto insurance policies generally extend coverage to vehicles being used for carpooling, provided the vehicle is classified as a "covered auto" under the policy. This distinction is crucial because it ensures that regardless of the purpose of the trip—whether commuting or sharing expenses with others—collision coverage applies.

In the context of personal auto insurance, the term "share-the-expense car pool" means that passengers are contributing to fuel or other expenses rather than the driver receiving payment for transport, which could otherwise categorize the use of the vehicle as a commercial activity. Therefore, as long as the vehicle is not being used for hire and remains a covered auto under the policy, collision damage will be covered if an accident occurs while carpooling with others.

Insurance providers typically outline coverage limitations and definitions in the policy documents, which is why understanding the specific terms is vital. However, since most personal auto policies include such usage under their collision coverage, the correct answer reflects the intention of those policies regarding shared transport situations.