- What is it?
Protect your equipment/vehicles, passengers and third parties in the case of bodily injury or property damage.
- Who’s it for?
If you operate a vehicle for your business you’ll need to protect your equipment/vehicles, passengers and third parties in the case of bodily injury or property damage.
- What is offered?
- Auto Liability
- Physical Damage (Comprehensive, Collision, Specified Perils)
- Medical Payments
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists
Commercial Auto Insurance in California
What’s driving your business forward? If you operate a vehicle for your business you’ll need to protect your equipment/vehicles, passengers and third parties in the case of bodily injury or property damage. With the rising costs of verdicts awarded to injured parties, an accident could be the most devastating event that can occur to your business.
Several types of coverage may be included in your commercial auto policy; others are options that you can purchase separately. Typical coverage and enhancements include:
- Auto Liability
- Physical Damage (Comprehensive, Collision, Specified Perils)
- Medical Payments
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists
- Hired Auto Liability & Physical Damage
- Non-Owned Auto Liability
- State & Federal Filings
- Airport Endorsements
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We take pride in our repeated customer satisfaction and the processes that we have put into place to make sure you are happy now and every day in the future. Our real-life brokers and customer service representatives are here for you to speak with along your journeys so you never have to feel like you are up the creek without a paddle.
We recommend you reach out to us to explore how we can help find auto liability coverage that is suitable for you.
If you have any questions, please submit the form on this page and one of our brokers will be happy to reach out to you to set up a time to chat about your situation. We look forward to talking about your business!
What is commercial auto insurance?
Businesses that own commercially registered vehicles are generally required to carry insurance on their vehicles. Commercial auto insurance can give California businesses the coverages they need for their vehicles.
Commercial auto insurance makes coverage available for cars and many other vehicles. Policies often provide protection for vehicles, employees, passengers, and other parties involved in accidents.
What businesses in California should carry a commercial auto policy?
California state law generally requires businesses that have commercially registered vehicles to carry minimum commercial auto coverages. Businesses often carry above the minimum requirements.
Some examples of businesses that own vehicles and likely need insurance are:
- Freight and delivery businesses
- Taxis, buses and public livery businesses
- Waste disposal and recycling businesses
- Property management businesses
- Contractors and tradespeople
- Emergency responders
- School districts
Still many other businesses, ranging from small businesses to large corporations, might need coverage.
What protections can businesses get through commercial auto policies?
Commercial auto policies typically come with multiple protections, which may provide protection against injuries, vehicle damage, other property damage and/or liability. Some of the more common coverages that businesses must/can select are:
- Collision Coverage: May cover damage to owned vehicles that occurs during multi-vehicle accidents
- Comprehensive Coverage: May cover damage to owned vehicles that occurs during non-accident incidents
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): May cover injuries to employee drivers and their passengers
- Property Damage Liability Coverage: May cover damage to other vehicles and/or non-vehicle property
- Bodily Injury Liability Coverage: May cover damage to drivers and passengers in other vehicles
- Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage: May cover accidents caused by improperly insured drivers
Businesses should consider each of these coverages carefully, and it’s often wise to purchase more protection than what’s legally required. An insurance agent who knows commercial auto policies well can help businesses determine how much of each coverage they should get.
What are hired and non-owned auto policies?
Hired and non-owned auto policies are generally for businesses that don’t own vehicles. These policies usually can provide liability coverage when leased, rented or employee vehicles are operated for work. It’s normally left up to the vehicle owner to purchase comprehensive and collision coverage if they want to.
Pizzerias and newspapers might insure themselves with this type of policy, as it’d likely cover employee drivers. Moving companies might use a policy when renting trucks. Other businesses in similar situations could do likewise.
What types of vehicles can be insured through commercial auto policies?
Standard commercial auto policies are broadly suited for insuring most cars, sports utility vehicles and small trucks (e.g. pickup trucks). Larger vehicles are sometimes better insured through a specialized type of policy.
If needed, a knowledgeable insurance agent can help businesses find policies that are specifically for box trucks, cargo vans, passenger vans, buses, tractor-trailers or other large vehicles. Fleet policies are also available for insuring multiple vehicles.
How much are premiums for commercial auto policies?
Premiums for commercial auto policies vary widely, as they’re based on many factors. A business’s type of vehicles, driver certifications, location, and annual mileage are merely a few of the details that can impact cost. So too can what vehicles transport, where vehicles are driven, a business’s past claims history, and other details.
Businesses can find out how much different insurance companies would charge to insure their vehicles by checking quotes with an independent insurance agent.
How can California businesses get commercial auto insurance?
For help insuring commercial vehicles that are registered in California, contact the independent insurance agents at Truck Writers Insurance Services. Our agents have helped many businesses properly insure their vehicles, and we’re ready to help you find a good commercial auto insurance policy.
What People Say About Truck Writers Insurance Services
Ron is the man. I used Ron to get my limousine insurance with CPUC for the past 3 years. It’s always a great experience and easy to get my policies and payments done without going to their office. This is the man to beat if you’re looking for cost-effective and reliable commercial insurance!
