One of the most significant exposures facing the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) industry is the loading and unloading of clients into and out of vehicles. While the transportation itself presents certain risks, many claims and injuries occur during the process of assisting passengers as they enter or exit a vehicle.
Balancing client comfort, dignity, and independence with the safety measures necessary for secure transportation can be challenging. Regardless of how your company approaches this process, it is critical to ensure that you have the appropriate insurance coverage and limits in place should an injury occur during loading or unloading.
This is why reviewing your General Liability and Professional Liability policy is so important. Your policy should specifically provide coverage for loading and unloading operations related to the transportation of clients. I have seen situations where NEMT operators carry a standard General Liability policy that only provides Premises Liability coverage. In those cases, the policy may only cover incidents that occur at the business location itself and may not extend to activities involving client transportation.
Premises Liability coverage generally applies to the place where you conduct business. It does not necessarily cover vehicle-related operations or what is often referred to as the completed operation, which for NEMT providers includes the services associated with transporting clients. Without the proper endorsements and coverage language, a company could find itself exposed when a claim arises from loading, unloading, or assisting passengers during transport.
Take the time to review your insurance program carefully and confirm that loading and unloading coverage is included and that the limits are adequate for your operation. Many paratransit brokers, including Modivcare and others, require higher liability limits for transportation providers performing services on their behalf. Meeting these requirements not only helps maintain contract compliance but also provides valuable protection for your business.
Patient care doesn't start or end when the engine turns on—loading and unloading transitions carry significant liability for non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) providers. Ensuring your policies eliminate the gray areas between general liability and commercial auto coverage is vital to protecting your drivers and business. Reach out to Wilk Business Insurance to examine your current coverage and ensure every step of your transport process is thoroughly protected.
