Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: cars

[Lynn Nadeau (welcome]

Among half a dozen cohousing neighbors, we wanted to own an electric car, 
sharing appropriately in the costs of buying and/or using it. The original 
owner of the car was floored to be told by her insurance company that if 
there were any accident, the fact of having exchanged any money for use of 
the car would void all the insurance! Nor could they figure out how six of 
us could all be on the title. We settled for her owning it and us simply 
borrowing it, which fortunately she could afford to do. 

So be very thorough in checking with insurors about what kicks in if there 
has been any money paid for using a car, even stuff like sharing in the 
costs of repairs or insurance, and definitely if there is anything like a 
payment per use. And if there IS a claim, insurors can be very thorough 
about unearthing evidence, so consider more vague ways of barter, if that 
seems helpful. 

And I'd be delighted to hear more stories of how it WAS done successfully, 
insuarance and all. What about making yourself a company, or nonprofit 
organization? Or is the insurance rate for a business prohibitive? 

Lynn at RoseWind, Port Townsend WA