When a delivery driver steps onto your property, they bring your much-anticipated package, but they may also bring unexpected liability concerns. Accidents can happen, and if a delivery driver is injured while on your property, you could be caught off guard by a potential claim. Do you know who’s responsible for medical costs? Does your homeowners insurance provide coverage? Understanding the insurance implications of such incidents is necessary for protecting yourself, your property, and your peace of mind. In this blog post, we'll break down what you need to know to stay prepared and protected.
Your duty as a homeowner
When you order something for delivery, you’re assuming the risk of a delivery driver coming onto your property and delivering that package. They’re not trespassers or unauthorized persons coming onto your property. Instead, they’re considered “invitees.” An invitee is a person who enters another’s property with the owner’s express or implied invitation for a business purpose. The duty owed by a property owner to an invitee is typically one of reasonable care to keep the premises in a reasonably safe condition and to warn of any known dangerous conditions that aren’t open and obvious. Common hazards include ice and snow buildup, debris in driveways, obstructed walkways, and unsecured dogs or other pets.
Who covers injuries sustained by the delivery driver? Does my homeowners policy cover them?
If the driver is covered under a workers’ compensation policy, that carrier may pay for the injuries first. However, if the work comp carrier determines that your negligence caused their worker’s injuries, they may subrogate against you. In other words, they may ask you to pay what they had to pay for their worker’s medical care. At that point, your homeowners policy may provide coverage.
Does my renters policy afford coverage for delivery drivers?
If you have a renters policy and a delivery driver is injured or sustains damages, coverage will depend on where it happened and how. If it was a dog bite, as the dog owner, you may be responsible so your renters policy may provide coverage. However, if it was a slip and fall or some other cause of loss sustained from the property itself, you should check the lease agreement to see who’s responsible for what. Most of the time, the landlord or property owner is responsible for maintaining the property, snow removal, common areas, etc. In that case, coverage may be afforded by their insurance policy. However, this may be changed based on the language of the lease agreement, which is why it’s a good idea to review the lease carefully at the time you sign it and keep it handy to review in the event of an accident.
This article is intended for general educational and illustrative purposes only and should not be construed to communicate legal or professional advice. Further, this article is not an offer to sell insurance. Please consult with your licensed insurance agent for specific coverage details and your insurance eligibility. All policies are subject to the terms, conditions, limitations, definitions, and exclusions contained therein.
