Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and Mark Afable, the commissioner of the state’s Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, today ordered insurers operating in the state to provide coverage for restaurants who have begun offering delivery service to customers during the COVID-19 public health crisis.
Under the order, insurers must cover delivery services for restaurants on personal auto insurance policies and must offer coverage for hired drivers and non-owned automobiles as a rider on a restaurant’s general liability insurance if it is requested – both at no extra cost to the policyholders.
“I’m grateful that so many Wisconsin restaurants and their workers are serving our communities through delivery, takeout, and drive-throughs. With the insurance industry stepping up to provide coverage for deliveries, restaurants and workers will have the protection they need to operate in this temporary economy,” said Evers. “I know we’re all are looking forward to the day when our communities are healthy again, and when we can visit our favorite supper club on a Friday night with family and friends.”
“Restaurants are an integral part of our lives here in Wisconsin. I want to thank Wisconsin insurers for stepping up and making this coverage possible at no cost to restaurants and delivery drivers,” Afable said. “It’s a small change but one that will help to preserve our economy, protect jobs, and maybe give all of us the hope that things will be back to normal again in the weeks and months to come.”
Even before today’s order, many Wisconsin insurers began offering coverage to their policyholders beginning delivery services, Evers and Afable said.
The order will stay in effect until the public health emergency order is lifted, in whole or in part, to permit restaurants to resume normal operations. Coverage for policyholders will be effective on the date it is requested, Evers and Afable said.
