Is personal liability of the insured covered when driving a passenger vehicle for carpooling activities?

When driving a passenger vehicle for carpooling activities, personal liability of the insured is typically covered under a standard personal auto insurance policy. This coverage applies because most personal auto policies include liability protection for bodily injury and property damage that occurs as a result of the insured's use of their vehicle, including times when they are driving friends or acquaintances.

When carpooling, as long as the driver is not being compensated beyond what is considered a nominal amount for expenses, the insurance will generally cover any liability that arises from an accident during the carpooling activity. This covers costs associated with bodily injury to other parties and damage to property if the insured is at fault in an accident.

It's important to understand that certain conditions may affect coverage, such as if the driver is offering services for hire or is involved in specific business activities while driving, but under a typical scenario of casual carpooling, the personal liability remains intact and is appropriately covered.