Auto Ins

Nurses General Nursing

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Anyone know why home health agencies in NY State need my auto. Insurance info. if I'm not driving a client in my car? Or is my employer pulling something?

Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Probably for the same reason home health agencies require proof of valid insurance here in Georgia (or any place else). You will be on the clock while driving your personal vehicle and any accidents during work time will have to be compensated somehow (either by your insurance company or your employer). If you're a licensed driver but cannot get insurance due to a colorful driving history, the agency may think twice about hiring you because you may be considered to be too much of a liability for them.

Also, sometimes things come up with your patients that require impromptu visits from time to time from the nurse. It wouldn't do the patient any good if a wound is unexpectedly bleeding or draining really badly and the nurse enroute is always in a ditch, or involved in a fender-bender, or worse.

They want to know that you are a safe driver. And you never know when or if a disaster would occur and mean that your car is the only means of transport to safety at that moment for you and your patient, such as being informed by a fireman that you must evacuate right then, while your patient's family member is not expected back home for another couple of hours or more.

Specializes in Healthcare risk management and liability.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Also to drive WITHOUT insurance is against the law, I believe, in all states.

You would make me wonder what others rules & regs or laws might you be breaking.

If you've ever been stopped for one of those idiotic random road checks, the LEOs ask for your documents ie your driver's license, your vehicle registration and your insurance card. All those documents have to be current also. Get caught without one or an expired one, and your driving privileges can be rescinded. Then you'd be up the proverbial creek without the paddle!!!

Just some other reasons ...

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