What is a gap in treatment and why is it a big deal?  Once you start treatment, the insurance company wants to see a regular treatment schedule. Their theory is if you are injured and hurting, you will go to the doctor regularly. Unfortunately, things come up which cause clients to miss their scheduled appointments.

When you miss a doctor’s appointmnent it is considered a gap. For example, if you were scheduled to go to the chiropractor on Monday but you were sick and weren’t able to reschedule until the following Wednesday, it is considered a 1 week gap.  If you were scheduled to go to the doctor on March 1st, didn’t make the appointmnet and didn’t reschedule (for whatever reason) until April 1st it is considered a 1 month gap. If the doctor tells you to follow up in 1 month then there is NO gap because you are following doctor’s orders.

In reality life happens, you get sick, your kids get sick, you have to stay late at work, etc.  A gap of a week or two will not effect your case and can usually be explained but if there is a gap of a month your case value may be compromised. Make sure you can explain any gaps in treatment, preferably with documentation about why you missed the visits. If possible tell the doctor why you missed the

Q: I do not own a car and I do not have auto insurance. Can I drive my friend’s car?

A:  Yes, you CAN drive your friend’s car, but should you?  Maybe. If your friend has a standard auto policy, then there will be at least some coverage for you. If your friend has a non standard automobile insurance policy, then there may not be coverage. How do you know? You have to read the policy.

Realistically, most people are not going to read the policy. So, let me give you three basic options here.

1. The car owner has a standard policy and whatever insurance limits your friend has apply to you as well. So, if your friend has a policy with 100/300 limits, then you will have 100/300 limits as well.

2. The car owner has a standard policy with an endorsement. The endorsement drops the friends limits down to the state minimum. So, in Arizona, your friend has a car policy with 100/300 limits, but this endorsement drops the coverage limits to 15/30 if you were driving the car.

3. The car owner has a non-standard policy. So, if you drive your friend’s car, there will be no coverage at all.

The problem is that the major insurance companies write all three policies. It is almost impossible to figure out what you have without reading the policy. Your best bet is to purchase an auto policy for a non-car owner. Yes, they actually sell car insurance for someone who does not own a car, and it is relatively inexpensive. Make sure you are covered before you drive any vehicle!

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