Small Business Articles

Do you operate commercial vehicles to transport cargo or passengers? If so, you’re probably aware of the FMCSA. It oversees vehicle safety for companies like yours. One of the most important FMCSA requirements from a company owner’s perspective is that you have to carry adequate commercial auto insurance insurance.

If your business owns or leases vehicles, you may wonder, “Do I need commercial auto insurance?” The answer is that you likely do need it and may be required to carry it. 

If you’re a transportation company owner or decision-maker, you surely do all you can to operate your business safely. However, companies like yours face many risks over which they have no control. Bad roads, inclement weather, and the people with whom your vehicles share the road probably come immediately to mind.

Commercial auto insurance is vital for every business that owns vehicles and uses them for work purposes. Unfortunately, an accident can occur at any time, so you need to have proper coverage in place.

If you own a small business where vehicles are used to make deliveries, travel to meetings or work sites, run errands, etc., you’ve probably wondered, “Do I need commercial car insurance?” That’s an important question to ask, since even minor accidents can produce major financial burdens if they aren’t covered by insurance.

If you use cars, pickup trucks, or other vehicles in the course of doing business, you need commercial car insurance. Having proper coverage can keep you from having to pay for bodily injury liability, property damage liability, medical expenses, damage to your own vehicle, and other expenses out of pocket.

Vehicles owned by a business and used for work purposes—as opposed to personal vehicles—are typically insured under a commercial auto insurance policy. This insurance protects your company from claims if someone alleges that an employee driving a company vehicle is at fault in an accident. It can cover things like legal fees and the medical costs of others.

Companies that have their small business insurance through biBerk will sometimes ask us, “If I pull a trailer with a vehicle covered by business auto insurance, is the trailer protected?” The answer is that it depends on the weight of the trailer.

The vehicles you own or lease and use for conducting business are insured separately from your personal vehicles. Company cars and trucks should be protected under a commercial auto insurance policy. This type of insurance has different coverages designed to address specific business needs.