What is Negligent Entrustment with Commercial Auto Insurance?

How much trust do you put into your commercial drivers? For many businesses, these drivers become the backbone of the company. They take the product you’ve created and deliver it to your customers. They represent your company and they do a great deal of the work needed for your business to excel.

That’s why it is so important to maintain the best drivers possible. In fact, you could be held liable if your drivers fail to provide a high quality of service and leave your customers or other third parties at risk. This is a loose definition of what negligent entrustment means to your business.

What You Need to Know About Your Drivers and Liability

When purchasing commercial auto insurance, the goal is to provide financial and risk protection for your business. Most of the time, companies do not think of their drivers as a high risk, but they can be.

Negligent entrustment occurs when one party, the business, is held liable for the actions or inactions of another party in a negligent manner because the other party, the driver in this case, was given a dangerous instrument (such as the vehicle) and trusted by your business. Then, that individual caused injury to himself or a third party in some way, whether physically injuring that party or damaging property.

What can you do to minimize this type of business insurance claim?

• Provide comprehensive training to your drivers on all aspects of their job. It is very important to lead by example and ensure proper care is always taken.
• Create safety policies that minimize such risks. Follow all OSHA guidelines but also put in place guidelines right for your business.
• Ensure proper pre-screening of employees is completed before that person is given access to the business, to driving, or to other types of dangerous equipment.
• Put in place programs to manage drug and alcohol use on the job. Follow all of your state laws when doing so.
• Mandate training modules for any at-risk driver. And, ensure all vehicles are maintained according to a very strict plan.

By taking these steps, you minimize the risk that your driver or other employee will create a situation in which your company is liable. While your commercial auto insurance is there to minimize some of these liability risks, also consider more advanced business insurance and umbrella liability to further reduce risks.