Auto Coverage

Squad car in ditch with front end smashed

Auto coverage may respond to damage done to a member-owned vehicle when it is in a crash or collision.

With approximately 9,000 vehicles covered by MCIT, as well as employees operating personal vehicles for work purposes, it is important for members to understand MCIT auto coverage, risk management techniques and safety measures.

MCIT AUTOMOBILE LIABILITY COVERAGE

MCIT auto coverage includes liability protection that covers the member for bodily injury and property damage claims resulting from the use of a covered automobile. If a member’s vehicle is involved in an at-fault accident, MCIT’s automobile liability coverage would defend and indemnify the member for covered claims.

Also under automobile liability coverage, MCIT provides:

Hired and nonowned automobile liability coverage
Personal injury protection
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage

PHYSICAL DAMAGE COVERAGE

Most vehicles on a member’s schedule include physical damage coverage; however, unlike liability coverage, it is optional. Physical damage auto coverage includes comprehensive and collision coverage intended to repair damages caused to a member’s automobile/vehicle.

GARAGEKEEPERS COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE

Garagekeepers coverage applies if a member must legally pay for damages to autos left in its care while attending, parking or storing an automobile. This coverage may apply when law enforcement acquires a vehicle by confiscation, forfeiture or involvement with a criminal activity and stores it in a county lot or storage facility. Another example is when members offer vacant space to the public to store personal property such as boats, trailers and campers.

The Importance of Auto Schedules

A significant factor in ensuring that auto coverage will respond when a member experiences a loss is having an up-to-date auto schedule. All members with automobile coverage have an auto schedule on file with MCIT. The schedule details:

The vehicles the entity has covered
The lines of coverage that apply
The per occurrence deductible

MCIT recommends that each member designate a general gatekeeper for notifying MCIT of changes that need to be made to the all auto schedules. Changes can be made easily at any time by submitting a change notification through the online member portal.

Risk Management for Automobiles

Members can access several resources to help clarify coverage, its application and exclusions, and learn tips for managing the risks involved with vehicles:

DEVELOP AND ENFORCE AUTOMOBILE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

MCIT recommends that members develop policies and procedures for the use of automobiles according to each entity’s needs. Successful policies and procedures should be reviewed and approved by the member’s governing board. This serves to send a message to employees that vehicle safety is important, establishes accountability and creates uniform standards throughout the organization.