Whether your business fleet is large or small, you must insure the vehicles used for business with a commercial auto insurance policy. Failure to have commercial auto insurance for your work vehicles can expose your company to financial liabilities in the event of an accident. carism.info will provide some of information for you in this post.
What Is Commercial Auto Insurance?
Commercial auto insurance is a sort of auto insurance that is created exclusively for automobiles used for business purposes. It is a contract between you and your insurance provider that specifies how your insurance company will compensate you for financial losses if a commercial vehicle is involved in an accident or other problem covered by your policy.
Company automobiles, commercial trucks, and vans are examples of business vehicles. Other vehicles that can be covered by commercial auto insurance include box trucks and food trucks. If you are driving a car for business and get into an accident, your personal auto insurance will not pay a claim.
Here are some instances in which you may require commercial auto insurance:
- The automobile is a company car that is only used for work.
- The corporation owns the truck or van.
- You use your automobile to perform a business service.
- A business vehicle is used to transport tools or equipment.
- You’ll need a lot of liability insurance.
- You drive a car, van, or truck for work and deliver goods or people.
- Your staff drive company vehicles.
How Does Commercial Vehicle Insurance Work?
A commercial auto insurance coverage functions similarly to a personal auto insurance policy, except it covers business vehicles such as delivery vans, trucks, and company automobiles. It compensates others for injuries and property damage caused by you or an employee while driving your work vehicle.
If you choose additional coverage types such as collision and comprehensive insurance, your commercial auto insurance will also pay to repair or replace your work vehicle.
What Does Commercial Auto Insurance Cover?
Commercial auto insurance is comparable to personal auto insurance, but there are differences in who is qualified, coverage, exclusions, and restrictions. Commercial auto insurance policies, for example, typically have higher liability limits than personal auto insurance coverage.
You can also purchase various types of commercial auto insurance, such as:
- Insurance for the gap. Gap insurance helps cover the difference if you owe more on your loan or lease than the value of your totaled work car.
- Replacement of a new car. If your work car is totaled, new vehicle replacement can assist in the purchase of a similar new vehicle.
- Reimbursement for a rental car. Rental car reimbursement helps pay for a rental automobile if your insured business vehicle is in the shop due to an issue covered by your insurance.
- Insurance for roadside assistance. If your insured car is incapacitated due to an issue such as a flat tire or a dead battery, roadside assistance insurance can help pay for a tow, jump start, and other services.
What Isn’t Covered by Commercial Vehicle Insurance?
Commercial auto insurance excludes:
- Work-related personal automobiles.
- Work-related automobiles rented.
- Unattached tools and equipment in a commercial vehicle or van are not covered by a commercial property insurance policy for theft or damage.
- Customer automobiles, however theft or damage to your customers’ vehicles caused by issues like as bad weather, vandalism, or fire would be covered by your garagekeepers insurance.
What Kind of Vehicles Are Covered by Commercial Car Insurance?
Commercial auto insurance covers the following business vehicles:
- Container trucks
- Company automobiles
- Food trucks and commercial trucks
- Livery service for hiring
- Towing vehicles
Why Do You Need Commercial Vehicle Insurance?
Without commercial auto insurance, you risk having to pay for damage and injuries caused by your company’s vehicles.
If you or an employee is hurt in an accident involving a business vehicle and you do not have insurance, you may be forced to pay medical bills and legal fees. You will also be liable for the damages, injuries, and any lawsuits of other drivers and property owners.
Commercial vehicle insurance also includes collision and comprehensive coverage, which assists in the repair or replacement of your business vehicle in the event of a car accident, theft, vandalism, floods, fires, extreme weather, or collisions with animals.
What is Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance?
Personal vehicles or leased vehicles used for work are not covered by a commercial auto insurance policy. Consider “hired and non-owned auto insurance” if you rent your work vehicle or if workers occasionally use their own cars for business errands.
This policy covers for liability claims made against your company that involve a vehicle that the company does not own. For example, if an employee causes a car accident while driving to work, the victims may sue your company. These situations are covered by both hired and non-owned auto insurance.
Tips for Buying Commercial Auto Insurance
If you’re looking for commercial auto insurance, do this checklist:
- Ensure that you have adequate coverage. If there is an accident and you are sued, be sure you have enough commercial auto insurance coverage to safeguard what can be taken from you in a lawsuit. For example, you’ll almost certainly want to go above and above your state’s minimum liability coverage. Nationwide advises that each vehicle have at least $500,000 in liability coverage.
- Speak with an agent. Don’t be afraid to seek the assistance of an insurance representative. An agent can assist you in determining the best policy for your company, including commercial auto coverage tailored to the type of job you conduct.
- Coverage for uninsured/underinsured motorists can be added. This policy pays for your medical claims and those of your passengers if you are hit by someone who does not have liability insurance or does not have enough liability insurance.
- Investigate the insurance firm. Take the time to thoroughly research the insurance company you intend to use for your commercial auto insurance. Don’t base your decision only on price. You wish to evaluate the coverages available and read reviews for various companies.