On occasion, it may make sense to you to NOT have your seatbelt fastened whenever the vehicle is moving; but when out on the public roadways you should make it mandatory for everyone in the vehicle to be belted in. In most states, the insurance companies have lobbied legislatures to allow for "shared liability" in claims. So, if someone were to crash their vehicle into yours, and even if it were 100% their fault; their insurance could claim that, by someone not having their seat belt fastened, the seriousness of their injuries is partially their fault and attempt to reduce that person's eligibility to receive the full coverage under the policy for medical and/or pain and suffering. Given state minimum coverages, when the cost of the claims exceeds their coverage, then you'll need your insurance to pick up the shortfall under comprehensive or "underinsured motorist" coverage. In that case or in an accident that is your own fault, your own insurance company will try to diminish what amounts they'll cover. In the past and with several younger drivers in the family (none of whom have had at-fault accidents), we've seen firsthand how insurance companies have tried to shortchange us at every turn. In some parts of Phoenix, where we live, the likelihood of being hit by an uninsured driver, who is probably unlicensed as well, is probably 50/50 and in many cases when their car is not immobilized or boxed in, those drivers will run leaving you to settle with your own company. Our worst case scenario was when the person who hit our vehicle had the same insurer as we did. In that case they tried to disregard witness reports in order to attempt to re-interpret the facts of the accident to assign a portion of the claim against our policy. Not trying to preach, but adding a heads-up.
