Yesterday the Insurance Commissioner of Wisconsin, Mark Afable, at the direction of Governor Tony Evers, ordered that insurance companies in Wisconsin must cover delivery services for restaurants on personal auto policies. Additionally, they must provide coverage for non-owned autos on the restaurant owners' policies.
It is important to know that most, if not all, insurance companies offering personal auto policies specifically exclude coverage when a vehicle is being used for delivery. This order by the Insurance Commissioner is a substantial reversal of the insurance industry’s standard operating procedure. We will have to see how personal auto insurance carriers react to this edict. We would advise anyone who is considering using their personal vehicle for delivery to contact their insurance agent to be sure they understand the risks and costs.
For restaurants, it is important to note that just because the commissioner made this decree, it does not infer automatic coverage. You must have either your business auto or general liability policy endorsed to include non-owned auto coverage to cover the delivery exposure. One of our carriers, Society Insurance, has already said they are willing to add this coverage for about $150 annually. If you are unsure if you have this coverage please contact your agent.
Click here to read the press release from the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance.
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