CA| This notice is to provide guidance to insurers regarding insurance coverage for delivery drivers for California’s essential businesses during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Personal automobile policies do not typically provide coverage for vehicles used for commercial purposes, like commercial delivery service. Further, these drivers may not be covered under the commercial automobile policy issued to a California essential business. As a result, in the absence of any other action, many of the anticipated temporary delivery drivers would be left uninsured.
The Department requests insurers not to deny a claim under a personal auto policy solely because the insured was engaged in providing delivery service on behalf of a California essential business impacted by the COVID-19 related closures, and the delivery driver was operating within the course and scope of their duties on behalf of such essential business.