Minn. Stat. § 375.31: MOTOR VEHICLES, DAMAGE FROM OPERATION.

A county board may indemnify any county officer or employee for loss or expense arising or resulting from any claim made against the officer or employee because of bodily injury, death or property damage sustained by reason of the officer's or employee's operation of a motor vehicle while performing official duties. The county board may defend any suit brought against an officer or employee to enforce such a claim. The county board may settle the claim or suit and pay the amount of the settlement or the amount of any final judgment rendered against an officer or employee on the claim without first requiring the officer or employee to pay it.