Commissioner’s action ensures food, medication, other essential goods can continue to be delivered during COVID-19 pandemic

April 11, 2020 - LOS ANGELES, Calif. – With restaurants and businesses expanding deliveries to comply with “shelter in place” rules, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara on Friday urged insurance companies to extend auto insurance coverage for drivers who are using their personal vehicles to fulfill deliveries for California’s essential businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Because personal automobile policies do not typically provide coverage for vehicles used for commercial purposes and some drivers may not be covered under their employer’s commercial automobile policy issued to a California essential business, temporary delivery drivers may be inadvertently uninsured as they carry out their job duties. Today’s action ensures that businesses can continue to provide essential goods to residents and families at their homes and that delivery workers are protected at all times so that they may continue their work critical to public health and safety.

“This is an unprecedented time so we must take unprecedented action to help Californians comply with public health ‘shelter in place’ orders,” said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. “Delivery drivers are performing essential services to help our seniors and families, and this action will protect them while on the roads.” 

Under today’s Notice, insurance companies should not deny a claim under a personal auto policy solely because the driver was providing delivery service on behalf of a California essential business impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Notice applies to 16 categories of “essential critical infrastructure workers” identified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 19, including those who deliver food, medication, and other essential goods. 

The Department is also requesting insurance companies to extend delivery coverage for motorcycle and bicycle riders, and allow essential businesses to retroactively add drivers to their commercial automobile policies beginning on March 19, 2020.

“We appreciate Commissioner Lara’s attempt to help our industry in these historically challenging times," said Matt Sutton, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Policy at the California Restaurant Association. "Any and all help is welcome.”

Link to Notice.
Source: CA. Dept. of Insurance