Mitigating risks in food and cannabis delivery is not just about adhering to legal standards; it’s about safeguarding the business, its customers, and the broader community from unforeseen disasters. By understanding and addressing the unique challenges food and cannabis delivery drivers face, businesses can proactively ensure the safety of their operations, their customers, and their delivery drivers.
With that in mind, let’s unpack these unique complexities, offering insights into identifying, understanding, and mitigating the potential risks associated with food and cannabis delivery.
Understanding the Risks in Food and Cannabis Delivery
You may have heard the claim that it’s more dangerous to be a pizza delivery driver than a police officer. Well, it might be true – at least when it comes to on-the-job accidents. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 20% of all work-related fatalities occur among delivery drivers, making them 1.8 times more susceptible to fatal accidents on the job than police officers. In fact, delivery driving ranks as one of the most hazardous jobs in the nation due to the elevated risk of accidents on the job. Although traffic accidents account for the majority of deaths and injuries, the statistics also reveal that drivers face a higher risk of assault compared to other professions. From car accidents to carjackings, delivery drivers face frequent risks that threaten their safety.
To mitigate these risks, a multifaceted approach is necessary. Here are some common risks and strategies businesses can employ to ensure the safety of their delivery drivers:
Vehicle Accidents: Because delivery drivers spend a considerable amount of time on the road, they face a greater risk of being involved in traffic accidents. To make matters worse, many food and cannabis drivers use their own personal vehicles to deliver goods, creating a unique risk atmosphere for a business. By utilizing proactive solutions like offering defensive driving courses, requiring route-planning software, mandating regular vehicle maintenance checks, and obtaining adequate insurance coverage, businesses can ensure the safety and well-being of drivers and consumers alike.
Theft and Robbery: Delivery drivers, especially those in the cannabis industry, may carry highly sought after goods, making them targets for theft and robbery. Consider this: a quick Google search will reveal millions of news stories alleging violence toward delivery drivers worldwide. Savvy businesses can implement policies that limit deliveries to well-lit, secure areas and avoid high-risk zones, especially during night hours. Additionally, utilizing cashless payment methods can reduce the incentive for robbery.
Product Liability Issues: Food and cannabis products carry their own liability risks in that they have the potential to cause harm to consumers, whether through contamination, allergic reactions, or adverse effects from cannabis consumption. Let’s say a consumer claims to have suffered severe food poisoning from a meal delivered by your food delivery service. If found negligent, your company could be liable for damages such as hospital bills or litigation costs. To mitigate product liability risks, businesses can ensure all products are stored and transported at appropriate temperatures and conditions to maintain their quality. In addition, a tailor-made product liability policy helps protect against these claims, covering legal fees and settlements.
Errors and Omissions: Especially relevant for cannabis delivery services, this insurance covers claims related to errors in the delivery service, such as delivering the wrong product or failing to meet delivery standards set by regulatory bodies. For example, if a cannabis delivery company mistakenly delivers a product containing THC to a customer who ordered a CBD-only product, adverse reactions associated with using the wrong product could result in legal ramifications for the business. To mitigate the risk of errors and omissions (E&O) claims in food and cannabis delivery, businesses can adopt a robust order-verification process and invest in training for delivery personnel on product accuracy.
Hired and Non-Owned Auto (HNOA) Liability: Businesses that employ drivers utilizing borrowed, rented, or their own vehicles for deliveries expose themselves to the possibility of substantial liability claims should an accident occur while the driver is conducting deliveries. Many food and cannabis delivery services believe their drivers are fully covered by either the business’s commercial auto insurance or the drivers’ own car insurance, but this isn’t always true. Tailored HNOA coverage specifically addresses the needs of food and cannabis delivery services, providing a critical layer of protection in an area to which many businesses may not realize they are exposed. As HNOA solutions grow in popularity, understanding and mitigating these added risks is essential for maintaining a resilient operation.
The MiniCo Advantage
Mitigating risks in food and cannabis delivery via hired and non-owned vehicles is an ongoing process that requires diligence, foresight, and the right partnerships. At MiniCo, we can help craft the appropriate policy to safeguard against the loss of goods and personal injuries. Our exclusive, monoline Hired and Non-Owned Auto program is designed specifically for food and cannabis delivery services that use drivers’ personal vehicles. Written on A+ (XV) rated paper, our program is backed by our expert in-house underwriters, who are committed to offering quick quotes at competitive rates. Contact MiniCo for more information and to get a quote.
