In the dynamic landscape of business, the effective management of a fleet is a critical component that can significantly impact overall operations. Whether you operate a small delivery service, manage a fleet of company cars, or oversee the logistics of a larger operation, the safety of your vehicles and drivers is paramount. Achieving this level of protection involves choosing the right commercial auto insurance provider. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the industry’s leading players, each contributing to instilling confidence and assurance for businesses on the road.
What is commercial auto insurance?
Commercial auto insurance is a type of insurance policy that covers vehicles used for business purposes. Any car that is used for business-related purposes should be covered by commercial insurance, whether it’s a van, pickup truck, box truck, utility truck, food truck or a regular car. Employees who use their personal vehicle for business trips or services may also need a commercial car insurance policy.
In terms of protection, commercial auto insurance is similar to personal car insurance. Commercial insurance can include coverage for bodily injury liability, property damage liability, medical payments or personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, vehicle damage and accidents with uninsured or underinsured drivers. There may also be endorsements available to help you customize your policy.
Commercial vs personal insurance
There are a few differences between what commercial auto insurance is and what personal car insurance covers. For one, commercial car insurance can only be used for business vehicles. Usually, this means vehicles that are owned by businesses, but it could mean a vehicle that you own personally and use for business purposes. Standard car insurance covers vehicles for personal use — commuting, running errands, carpooling, etc.
Another difference is that commercial auto insurance may have higher coverage limits than a personal policy. Cars that are used for business purposes generally face more risk and therefore need more coverage. Because of that, commercial car insurance is often more expensive than personal insurance.
If you own a business that uses commercial vehicles, you might be able to claim a tax deduction on your commercial car insurance. This won’t apply if you are listed as a driver on your employer’s commercial auto policy. Personal car insurance is rarely tax deductible.
Who needs commercial auto insurance?
Any business that owns and uses vehicles as part of their business function — whether it’s one car or an entire fleet — needs to have commercial car insurance. Some examples of businesses that need commercial auto insurance include:
- Electricians and HVAC professionals that visit people’s homes
- Food delivery drivers and catering companies
- Contractors that haul materials and heavy equipment to job sites
- Landscapers and plow trucks
Employees who frequently use their personal vehicle for business purposes might also want to consider buying commercial car insurance. Some examples include:
- Realtors who drive to property listings
- Salespeople who travel to various locations
- People who drive for a ridesharing or delivery service
Because these types of employees might use their personal vehicles, they might be able to maintain personal auto insurance or use rideshare insurance as an alternative. Some personal auto policies allow drivers to stipulate if a car is used for business purposes, although those purposes are much more limited than commercial car insurance.
Using your vehicle to travel to and from an office on a regular daily commute is not considered a business use and doesn’t mean you’ll need commercial insurance. For vehicles used for commutes, there is usually a “commute” classification on personal auto insurance policies. You typically only need to consider commercial insurance if you are using your vehicle as part of a profit-making venture.
Commercial car insurance and the gig economy
The gig economy has changed how many people earn a living. Companies like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and Instacart have exploded in popularity. But do drivers for these companies need commercial auto insurance?
It depends. Many personal car insurance providers offer endorsements for these types of drivers, but they might not apply in all situations. For example, most personal auto insurance endorsements for ridesharing drivers, like drivers for Uber and Lyft, only provide coverage while the app is turned on and searching for a ride, but stop the coverage once a driver has accepted a passenger. At that point, coverage should be provided by the ridesharing company, but the coverage limits provided might not be very high.
If you drive for any kind of ridesharing or delivery company, talk to your insurance agent. Depending on how often you are driving — part-time or full-time — you might need a commercial insurance policy to properly cover yourself any time you’re on the clock and behind the wheel.
How to get commercial insurance
Applying for commercial car insurance is a bit different than getting personal car insurance. If you’re looking to buy commercial insurance for the first time, here are some steps to follow:
- Find a few providers: Shop around and find a few insurance providers that offer commercial auto insurance in your area. You could evaluate these companies based on customer reviews, financial strength ratings and the types of coverage offered. You can even call up an agent to get a better sense of the customer service.
- Provide information about your business: Some companies have online quote tools, and others require you to call an agent. In either case, you will need to provide information about your business, including what the business does, how long it’s been around and what your company cars are used for.
- Provide information about the company cars: Next, you’ll be asked to list the type(s) of vehicle your business owns. In addition to the make, model and year, you might also need to disclose information like the vehicle’s original cost, the weight and size, how far employees typically drive and who the main driver of the vehicle is. This information plays a large role in how much commercial auto insurance is and what you can expect it to cost.
- Provide information about the drivers: Next, be prepared to give some information about the people who drive the vehicles. You will probably need to provide the drivers’ license numbers of your employees so the insurance company can validate them as legal drivers and check their driving records.
- Get a quote: Once you’ve submitted the required information, you’ll be given a commercial car insurance quote based on your responses. It can be a good idea to get quotes from several different insurance companies to see which one can best meet your needs.
- Sign a policy: After choosing an insurance company and customizing your coverage with an agent, you can sign the policy and begin your coverage. Be sure to ask for multiple copies of your proof of commercial car insurance documentation and leave one in all of the insured company cars.
In conclusion, as businesses navigate the intricate roads of their industries, choosing the right commercial auto insurance company is akin to selecting a trusted navigator. Explore the offerings of the best commercial auto insurance companies to drive with confidence and ensure the longevity and success of your operations on the road. With the right partner, businesses can not only protect their assets but also confidently steer towards a future of continued success.