Restaurant owners do a lot of “quick” driving.

Quick run to Restaurant Depot.
Quick bank deposit.
Quick catering delivery.
Quick forgotten ingredient pickup.
Quick supply run because someone swore we had gloves and did not, in fact, have gloves.

Insurance does not care that it was quick.

If a vehicle is being used for business, the auto exposure deserves a real conversation.

When a restaurant may need Business Auto

Business Auto may matter if your restaurant owns or uses vehicles for business purposes.

Examples include:

• owned delivery vehicles
• catering vehicles
• food transport
• supply runs
• bank deposits
• event operations
• regular business errands
• vehicles titled to the business

A personal auto policy may not respond the way an owner expects if the vehicle was being used for business.

That is not something you want to discover after an accident.

What about employee vehicles?

If employees use their own vehicles for work tasks, your business may have Hired and Non-Owned Auto exposure.

This could include:

• employee supply runs
• catering trips
• errands
• food delivery
• event support
• pickup of forgotten items
• occasional business driving

Hired and Non-Owned Auto does not replace the employee’s personal auto insurance. But it may help protect the business if the business gets pulled into a claim.

Delivery changes the conversation

Delivery is its own animal.

If your restaurant offers delivery, uses third-party delivery platforms, sends employees in personal vehicles, or owns delivery vehicles, do not assume your current policy handles it cleanly.

Ask:

• Who is driving?
• Whose vehicle is being used?
• Is delivery regular or occasional?
• Is the driver an employee or contractor?
• Are third-party platforms involved?
• Does your policy allow this exposure?

This is where “we only do it sometimes” can become famous last words.

Catering and event driving

Catering creates additional auto questions.

You may have:

• equipment transport
• food transport
• employees driving to venues
• rented vehicles
• borrowed vehicles
• loading/unloading exposure
• non-owned vehicle use

If catering is part of the operation, bring it up during your review.

Do not make the agent drag it out of you like a prep cook hiding the last clean towel.

What restaurant owners should review

Before renewal, ask:

• Do we own any business vehicles?
• Do employees drive their own cars for work?
• Do we deliver?
• Do we cater?
• Do we rent or borrow vehicles?
• Do we have Hired and Non-Owned Auto?
• Are any drivers excluded?
• Are vehicle uses listed correctly?

Want an auto exposure gut check?

If your restaurant uses vehicles in any way, even occasionally, send your declarations page and tell us how driving fits into your operation.

We will help you understand what looks solid, what needs a second look, and whether your business auto setup matches real life.

Send your dec page to:
INeedHelp@Silver-LiningIns.com