A bulldozer was rented out to a contractor by a local rental store. The rental contract was signed by the customer and the unit was delivered to the job site. The delivery driver for the rental store went through the familiarization checklist with the customer and showed him where the owner’s manual was located. The very next day, the rental store manager received a phone call from the contractor’s wife. Her husband was in the hospital with a broken leg and six broken ribs.

The contractor was not wearing the seatbelt in the rented bulldozer and fell out of the unit while operating it on an incline. Luckily, the renter was not run over and killed in the accident. The rental store turned in a claim to its insurance carrier and the loss was investigated. The rental store was sure there was nothing wrong with the bulldozer and a representative from the manufacturer inspected the unit and agreed. It was concluded that if the contractor had only been wearing his seatbelt, this accident never would have happened. The claim was closed and no liability payments were made to the contractor for his injury.

Remember to always follow your rental procedures on each and every rental that goes out from your store. Get a signed rental contract for all equipment and make sure your employees are trained to go over the necessary operation and safety information with customers.

This item, provided by ARA Insurance Services, Kansas City, Mo., is the story of a real-life insurance claim involving a rental store and is intended to help readers better understand and manage risk. For more safety and risk management information, customers of ARA Insurance Services can log on to ReSource. Access is free, so if you haven’t signed up yet, contact your agent or call 800-821-6580.