aving the right business vehicle insurance is essential to owning or running a business. If you’re looking for auto insurance for your business, make sure you’ve done your research to make sure you have the right coverage for every vehicle in your fleet. Commercial auto insurance differs from personal insurance in that it covers the business use of vehicles. Understanding what business insurance is, knowing how much it costs and getting a quote makes running your business even easier.
What Is Business vehicle Insurance
Commercial auto insurance is called a “business auto policy” or “BAP” and may also be referred to as “business auto coverage.” This type of policy provides coverage for vehicles used for business purposes. According to Investopedia, trucks, vans or cars owned or leased by the company, as well as employees’ vehicles used for work purposes, are all subject to BAP. Business auto insurance covers you when you use your car for work, including commuting to different offices or traveling across the country for work; However, this does not mean that you have to visit the same place over and over again.
What Kind of Coverage Can I Get With a Business Automobile Policy
Collision coverage can often only be used in conjunction with comprehensive and liability coverage. The collision insured indemnifies the insured against damage caused to the vehicle as a result of a traffic accident or collision with a stationary object such as a fence or telephone pole. Collision does not cover falling objects or theft. A collision with another motorist or a building is a collision, even if it is your fault.
Comprehensive: Comprehensive coverage covers damage to the vehicle resulting from events beyond the driver’s control. This includes damage caused by theft, vandalism, natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, hitting an animal on the road and falling objects such as tree branches or hail.
Liability: Liability coverage compensates for injury caused to someone else and damage to someone else’s property. If a driver of your company injures someone in a traffic accident and that person files a claim against the company, liability insurance will help pay the claim. Most states require liability in their auto insurance minimums. There is no compulsory deductible with liability insurance, so you can choose the deductible depending on your level of risk.
Do I need business vehicle insurance
If you use your vehicle for business and not for your regular commute, you need business vehicle insurance. Here are some of the most common reasons why you may need a BAP:
- Ownership or lease: When a company or partnership owns or leases a vehicle High mileage for work: If you drive thousands of miles for work, including ride sharing or using your vehicle for deliveries
- Vehicle Weight or Payload: If your vehicle weighs more than 10,000 pounds or can carry more than 2,000 pounds
- Frequent travel to different locations: If you often travel to many different locations, such as out of state or to different cities, work locations, or offices
- Carpooling or commuting: If part of your job involves driving your colleagues or management to meetings or between different work locations
- Even if none of these apply to you, you may still need business auto insurance if you regularly commute to work at the post office, bank, or train.
how much does business vehicle insurance cost
Because business vehicle insurance policies have different coverages than private policies, they are often more expensive. This is because prolonged driving on unfamiliar roads increases the risk factors. Here are some things that affect the cost of your BAP:
- Driving data of drivers of employees
- too much policy
- policy limits
- Number of vehicles in your service
- Vehicle type and its value
- your risk level
- your insurance history
The cost of mid-term business auto insurance is $142 per month. Nearly half (44 percent) of small business insurance customers have policies for as little as $125 a month.
What is the difference between personal and business vehicle insurance
Company car insurance is intended for company cars. These vehicles usually last longer than private vehicles. BAP ranges are generally higher because of the risk associated with higher rates. Personal auto insurance only covers claims related to personal use, such as your commute and travel outside of work. They have a shorter range and usually cost less. If you drive your car for work and get into an accident, your insurance company may deny your claim if you don’t have a BAP. Sole proprietors who use their cars for work should have business auto insurance, even though they often drive for personal use.
How much is company car insurance
The cost of commercial vehicle insurance can vary depending on your business needs. Common things that affect costs include;
- How many vehicles do you want to insure
- make and model of vehicles
- Is it all about the same vehicle or is it the same vehicle; Car, van, truck etc
- Level of coverage you need (with/without add-ons)
- your location
- Specific information and driving history of all employees
- driving volume; Taking into account kilometers and locations
What do I need to get a quote
Requesting a quote is fast and an accurate quote with the information you need can be even faster. This is what you need:
- estimated annual multiplier
- vehicle registration
- Occupation, job title or employment status
- Any claim within the last five years
- Details of the drivers you want on the policy, including driver’s license numbers
Year, make and model of the car or cars on the policy
These are the most common things you need to provide to your insurance company to get a quote, but depending on the company, they may ask for more or different information. Either way, most of the information is relatively easy to find and it only takes a few seconds to get a quote online.
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