Commercial auto insurance can help protect your business against higher liabilities than personal auto insurance. An insurance agent specializing in commercial vehicles can help you understand all the options that you need for your region and industry. In the meantime, consider four advantages of commercial auto insurance.
What's So Special About Commercial Auto Insurance?
Commercial auto insurance addresses problems unique to business owners. With commercial auto insurance, you can cover your assets no matter who's behind the wheel.
Here are the top reasons to consider purchasing commercial auto insurance.
1. Receive Higher Limits
For businesses with employees on the road every day, the risk of an accident grows. If your business vehicle hits another car, the accident can result in a lawsuit.
Attorney fees, punitive damages and medical costs can quickly tally up. They might exceed the limits available under personal auto insurance (which usually won't cover a business vehicle anyway). The loss could result in significant financial challenges for your business. Commercial auto insurance comes with higher limits, making it less likely that you will have to pay all accident-related expenses.
2. Protect Your Business Equipment
Many businesses require specialized tools that drivers carry with them. This could include items such as catering equipment or lawn mowing equipment.
Commercial auto insurance coverage often includes some coverage to replace your essential equipment. Alternately, personal auto insurance won't cover tools or equipment. Keep in mind, however, that any tools coverage in the basic policy might not be enough. You might need to augment it with extra protection, like inland marine or cargo insurance.
3. Safeguard Employee Drivers
Business owners struggle to fulfill many roles. You want to cover every aspect of the business but that's impossible. Fortunately, a few great employees can fill in the gaps. That includes driving company vehicles for business purposes.
If your employees cause an accident while driving on the job, commercial auto insurance can protect both business and driver. Every policy is different, so carefully review yours to ensure employees have coverage. You'll also need to vet your employees to ensure they have the appropriate driving qualifications. This is sometimes an add-on to basic commercial auto insurance.
4. Cover Your Fleet Lease
Leasing companies usually mandate commercial auto insurance for businesses renting their vehicles. Commercial auto insurance limits the leasing company's exposure in the case of an accident.
For businesses that rely on vehicles to conduct their operations, commercial auto insurance offers valuable protection unavailable with personal auto insurance. Some businesses forego business car insurance to cut costs. Yet, one accident or lawsuit may cost much more than the price of commercial auto insurance.