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Commercial Auto Insurance in San Diego, CA

As a business owner, you know how important it is to avoid unnecessary risks, so if your business owns vehicles, or if you or your employees drive your own vehicles while conducting business-related activities, you should consider purchasing commercial auto insurance.

Whether your business has one car or a large fleet of vehicles, it’s best to have commercial auto insurance to protect you in case of an accident. You may mistakenly assume personal auto insurance policies are sufficient, but they only cover claims related to personal use. Without the protection of commercial auto insurance, your business could be financially responsible for vehicle repair costs, medical bills, and much more. Even a minor accident resulting in minimal damage could have a significant impact on your company.

If you’re considering purchasing commercial auto insurance for your business, it’s essential to understand the basic elements of this type of policy so you can make a well-informed choice.

What Is Commercial Auto Insurance?

Commercial auto insurance provides coverage for vehicles, such as cars, vans, and trucks, that are used for business purposes. Commercial vehicles require a separate type of coverage because they typically involve a higher degree of risk than personal vehicles.

Many people think commercial auto insurance is just for industrial vehicles like dump trucks or big rigs, but that isn’t the case. For example, if you or your employees use cars to transport clients, run errands, or carry business equipment and tools, you should consider purchasing a commercial auto policy.

What Does Commercial Auto Insurance Cover?

Commercial auto insurance covers the costs of repairs, property damage, and medical payments related to accidents involving your business’s vehicles or personal vehicles being used to conduct business for your company. Most policies also include liability coverage for legal expenses in the event one of your employees is involved in an accident and you’re sued. A policy may also cover other losses, such as vehicle theft and damages from vandalism.

Covered claims are subject to the details in your individual policy, including limits and deductibles. Requirements and availability vary by state, so make sure to reach out to your Altra Insurance agent for advice on what type of coverage best suits your needs.

Below are some of the common types of commercial auto insurance coverage.

Liability coverage

Auto liability coverage is mandatory in every state, and a commercial auto policy typically has two liability components: bodily injury liability and property damage liability. If your employee is driving a vehicle owned by your company and causes an accident, bodily injury liability coverage will help you pay for the other driver’s medical costs, while property damage coverage will help you pay for repairs to the other driver’s car.

Collision coverage

Collision coverage pays for repairs to your company’s vehicle. It may also help you pay to replace the vehicle if it’s totaled after a covered accident.

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive coverage pays for repairs to your business’s vehicle if it incurs damages from something besides a collision (such as vandalism, fire, theft, or dangerous weather). For instance, if your company’s vehicle is damaged during a hailstorm, comprehensive coverage may cover the cost of repairs.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

If your company’s vehicle is involved in an accident caused by a driver who doesn’t have any insurance at all or lacks sufficient liability insurance to pay for the resulting expenses, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can pay for vehicle repairs and your employee’s medical bills.

Rental car coverage

Rental car coverage covers the expense of renting a vehicle while your business’s vehicle is being repaired following an accident.

Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance

If you or your employees drive your personal cars for business purposes, you should consider purchasing hired and non-owned auto insurance, which provides liability coverage for vehicles that are used but now owned by your business, such as:

• Employee-owned vehicles
• Vehicles leased by your company
• Vehicles rented by your company

Hired auto coverage

This type of coverage provides liability protection when you or your employees drive borrowed, rented, leased, or hired vehicles.

Non-owned auto coverage

Non-owned insurance extends your commercial policy’s liability coverage to your employees’ vehicles, but only for infrequent use. For example, if your employees occasionally drive their personal vehicles to perform business-related duties, such as picking up supplies or delivering documents, you most likely need non-owned auto coverage.

We’ll Help You Choose the Right Commercial Auto Insurance

As a trusted auto insurance provider, Altra Insurance Services will guide you through the process of choosing commercial auto insurance coverage that provides the right amount of protection for your needs and gives you peace of mind knowing your business is covered in the event of an accident. Getting a commercial auto insurance quote is the first step toward protecting you and your business, and we’re just a phone call away. Whether you need high-quality commercial auto insurance, business insurance, personal car insurance, or auto insurance Chula Vista drivers rely on, you can trust us to provide the reliable, affordable coverage you need. Give us a call at (619) 404-6311 or request an online quote now.