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Loss Lessons
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PERSONAL USE OF BUSINESS VEHICLE
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PestSure Members,
"While helping a friend move, I lost the load of furniture
on the freeway."
"While running errands on Saturday for my wife, I accidentally
ran a red light."
"While driving to my cabin, a deer jumped out in front
of my vehicle."
"My wife rear ended the vehicle in front of us on the
way home from dinner."
The common theme in all of these auto accidents is that
the incident occurred while each employee or family member
was driving their work vehicle, for personal use. Personal
use of a business vehicle occurs when an employee uses a business
vehicle for duties outside the scope of employment. PestSure
members have experienced significant auto liability claims
when the insured business vehicles are used for personal use
or used by other family members.
It is somewhat common in our industry that employees drive
the company vehicle to and from their place of residence at
the beginning and end of the workday. This commute to and
from work does not constitute personal use of the business
vehicle. Most companies have a written vehicle use policy
for the employees who garage the business vehicle at their
residence. This vehicle use policy outlines the rules and
expectations surrounding the use of the vehicle.
Lesson:
- Be certain to have a clearly written and communicated
vehicle use policy
- Have employees verify their understanding of your
policy by signature at least annually
- Develop a method to monitor vehicle usage in some
manner to help ensure compliance with your policy
- Make every attempt to limit use of the vehicle
to the employee only
- Consider limiting passengers in the vehicle to
company personnel only
The only influence an employer has in making certain a vehicle
is operated safely is through the screening, selection, training,
and education, of the employee operator. An employer has no
opportunity to influence other family members in the same
manner. Review your vehicle use policy and re-work it to protect
your business from this exposure.
Linda Midyett
Area Manager
Safety and Loss Prevention, PestSure
Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc.
14241 Dallas Parkway, Suite 300
Dallas, TX 75254
972.663.6199
800.326.6203 |
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