Carpooling may be the remedy for rising costs

... but check your insurance to see if you are covered

- Marius Steyn

WITH THE price of fuel currently over R21 per litre, and people increasingly returning to work, carpooling can be a good way to cut costs.

It has the added benefit of helping you reduce your carbon footprint while relieving some of the boredom that comes with being stuck in traffic alone.

What's more, if you are willing, apps like CarTrip and Ugomyway can help you to offset some of your running costs by allowing you to share rides with people travelling in the same direction as you.

There are several benefits to carpooling, but it is important to understand the effect this can have on your car insurance. It's critical that you understand the terms and conditions that may affect the cover on your policy. Not doing so runs the risk of cover shortfalls, or your claim being denied al-together.

So, before you hang up your car keys, decide which carpooling setup works best for you:

Specific driver carpool: In this case, there will be a designated driver and car, and passengers pay a weekly / monthly rate towards costs like petrol, parking, and maintenance.