Kelly Dean and Lara Lynn Brisco v. National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Workers' Spouses May Be Covered Under Company Vehicle Insurance

This case involved two employees of Merico Abatement Contractors whose wives drove company vehicles with their husbands' permission. When accidents occurred, the company's insurance provider, National Union Fire Insurance, refused to cover the wives' use of the vehicles, claiming they weren't authorized drivers under the policy.

The court sided with the employees and their wives. Both the trial court and appeals court ruled that the wives were "permissive users" covered under the company's insurance policy. Since the husbands had permission to use the company vehicles and gave that permission to their wives, the insurance coverage extended to them as well. The insurance company lost its appeal and had to provide coverage.

This ruling matters for workers because it clarifies that family members may be protected under company vehicle insurance when they use work vehicles with the employee's permission. If your employer allows you to take company vehicles home or use them for personal errands, your spouse or family members could potentially be covered by the company's insurance if they drive with your permission. However, coverage depends on specific policy terms and company policies about personal use.