Commercial Auto Insurance, does your business need it?
If you use a vehicle while engaged in company business, then yes, you need to have commercial auto insurance in place. Many small-business owners believe that if their car is in their personal name then commercial coverage is not necessary and their personal auto policy will cover the auto. When businesses go without the commercial coverage, (or wait until a contractual requirement forces them to purchase it), they’re taking a huge risk. That’s because vehicles involved in an accident while engaged in company business may not be covered by your personal auto insurance. To make matters worse, you could be charged with misrepresentation if you’ve placed a vehicle you use for commercial purposes under your personal auto policy.
Commercial Auto Insurance: Request for Quote
What Commercial Auto Insurance Covers
There are a variety of coverages for your commercial autos and a consultation can help you choose the right combination to meet your needs. The discussion should include business-use autos, pickups, vans, and trucks, as well as whether your employees use their own vehicles to run errands, and if appropriate, rented vehicles if your employees rent cars when traveling.
Some carriers may offer discounts to businesses that have been in operation for 3 years or more with proof of prior coverage, and to businesses with drivers that have Commercial Drivers licenses.
In addition to finding your commercial auto coverage, we want to help you meet the contractual needs of your business. Whether a contract requires an additional insured endorsement or specific coverage requirements such as “AnyAuto” coverage, we have many markets to quote, depending on your needs and field of work.
The following is a brief glossary of a few of the most common business auto coverages:
Bodily Injury/Property Damage Coverage (BI/PD)
Bodily Injury Liability provides coverage in the event a covered vehicle causes injury or death to another person and the insured is considered at-fault for the accident. It covers expenses related to medical costs, lost wages, sickness, death and pain and suffering for an injured third party. It also covers legal defense costs related to claims against covered damages.
Property Damage Liability provides coverage in the event a covered vehicle causes damage to any property and the insured is considered at fault for the accident. It also covers legal defense costs related to claims against covered damages.
Physical Damage Coverage:
Collision provides coverage in the event of a loss or damage to an insured vehicle caused by a collision or overturn. Collision must be written with Comprehensive or Fire & Theft with CAC.
Comprehensive provides coverage in the event of a loss or damage to an insured vehicle caused by incidents other than a collision. This includes damages due to fire, theft, vandalism, windstorm or contact with an animal.
Fire and Theft with Combined Additional Coverages provides coverage in the event of a loss or damage to an insured vehicle caused by a specific occurrence. The damage or loss must be caused by: fire, lightning or explosion; theft; windstorms or hail; earthquakes; flood or rising waters; vandalism; while being transported by a third party; or by a collision with an animal.
Misc Liability Coverages:
Hired Auto provides excess liability coverage for a non-owned, unlisted vehicle the insured has leased, hired, rented or borrowed.
Employer’s Non-Ownership provides excess liability coverage to an insured for employees using their own (unlisted) vehicles incidentally in the course of the named insured’s business.
Cargo covers a “For-hire” trucker’s liability for the property of others being transported.