Liberty Mutual has filed a new personal auto policy in New Jersey that adds electric-vehicle protection, expands limited coverage for delivery drivers and introduces a cancellation fee.
The LibertyGuard policy would be offered across seven Liberty Mutual companies and replaces a base policy dating to 1994. It consolidates several existing mandatory endorsements while adding provisions addressing newer risks such as electric vehicles, ridesharing, delivery platforms and peer-to-peer vehicle sharing.
A new electric-vehicle endorsement provides up to $3,000, without a deductible, for damage to external charging equipment. It also extends towing coverage to transportation to an EV charging station.
Liberty Mutual is also broadening its optional rideshare endorsement to include delivery-network drivers during Period 1, when a driver is logged into an eligible platform but has not accepted a delivery request and no goods are inside the vehicle.
Other changes include a new first-term cancellation fee for customer-initiated cancellations or nonpayment of premium, although the amount will be provided in a separate filing. The policy also excludes damage caused by contaminated fuel unless it results from vandalism.
Towing and labor benefits would be limited to two occurrences per vehicle under a six-month policy and four under an annual policy, with additional policy-level allowances. Transportation expenses would be capped at $40 per day and $900 per loss, while storage-related payments would be limited to $1,000.
The revised contract also addresses peer-to-peer vehicle sharing, delivery work, diminution in value, criminal acts and communicable diseases. Newly acquired pickups and vans with a gross vehicle weight of up to 12,000 pounds may qualify for coverage.
Liberty Mutual is requesting effective dates of March 22, 2027, for new business and April 26, 2027, for renewals. The filing remains under regulatory review.
Bottom Line: It appears that Liberty Mutual is reviving the LibertyGuard name for a new personal auto policy in New Jersey.
