If Ben files a claim against Bill and Norton's Appliances after their accident, is his claim covered under the business auto policy?

The claim would not be covered under the business auto policy primarily because of the fellow employee exclusion. This exclusion generally applies when an employee files a claim against another employee or the employer for injuries sustained during the course of their employment. In Ben's situation, if he was involved in an accident while conducting business for Norton's Appliances, he may find that the policy excludes coverage for claims arising between co-employees, thus limiting the company's liability for such incidents.

The fellow employee exclusion is designed to prevent scenarios where employees can sue each other for accidents occurring on the job, which is typically managed through workers' compensation insurance instead. This structure keeps liability within the bounds of company policies and encourages a safer work culture without fear of personal legal repercussions among colleagues.

Understanding this aspect of the business auto policy is crucial, as it illustrates how companies protect themselves and their workforce by delineating areas of liability and ensuring that proper protections, like workers' compensation, are in place for employees injured during work-related incidents.