Marsh, Axa XL launch usage-based auto policy

Marsh LLC and Axa XL on Wednesday launched a usage-based auto policy to meet the needs of U.S. businesses that are using individual drivers as employees or gig workers as independent contractors to make same-day deliveries during COVID-19.

The price-per-mile tailored policy is designed to address the issues that arise when a driver’s own vehicle is used to make these deliveries.

With the deliveryPRO policy, Marsh clients can buy a minimum of $500,000 in exclusive third-party bodily injury and property damage auto liability capacity from Axa XL.

Coverage is available in excess of a minimum $500,000 self-insured retention for their hired and non-owned delivery exposures, Marsh and Axa XL said in a joint statement.

The policy acts as primary auto coverage when the driver is on an active delivery, as tracked by the deliveryPRO platform powered by mobile data analytics company Arity LLC or other existing technology.

Premiums are based on the number of miles driven for the delivery, allowing insurance costs to scale with the growth of a business, Marsh and Axa XL said.

Pay-per-claim, third-party claims administration services and claims consulting are also available.

“Many businesses have had to ramp up their existing delivery services or convert from in-person sales to on-demand deliveries overnight as a result of the global pandemic. Even when the crisis is over, last-mile delivery will likely continue to grow,” Robert Bauer, head of Marsh’s U.S. sharing economy and mobility practice, said in the statement.

More insurance and risk management news on the coronavirus crisis here.