Car Insurance Coverage for
Small Business
For small business, or those who decide to give
self-employment a go, deciding what type of car insurance
coverage to get can be a confusing item. Commercial coverage
can be prohibitively costly, but you have to make sure that you
will be covered in the event of an accident. There are some
general guidelines to help make the right decision, though, and
the information given here should help you make the best
decision for your particular insurance needs.
How Many Vehicles?
The number
of vehicles in your company could help you make the decision
between using personal insurance coverage and commercial
coverage. If you have one or two vehicles that are used for
both personal and business use, you may be able to justify
having personal insurance. If you have one or more vehicles
which are only used for business purposes, or if your vehicle
has a permanent logo or company ID painted or lettered on, then
commercial coverage should be the route you take, to avoid
claim disputes.
How Many Passengers?
If only you
or your immediate employees will be riding in the vehicles, it
may be possible to get by with personal insurance and have each
driver listed on the insurance coverage. On the other hand, if
you must drive customers around, or have a number of frequent
passengers who are not under your employ or in your family,
then commercial coverage is probably the best alternative.
How Much Cargo?
Will your
company be picking up materials or delivering finished
products? If your company makes cabinets, how will they be
delivered to the customer? If your desktop publishing company
makes flyers and tri-fold booklets, how do you get your
supplies and deliver the finished products? The more material
or product you will be moving from one location to another in
your company vehicles, the more likely it is that having
commercial coverage is answer for you.
Why Commercial Car
Insurance Coverage Is Better.
Commercial
car insurance coverage provides for higher loss and damage
levels, and can be applied to all employees who are legally
entitled to drive a vehicle. If you must drive passengers
around, they will be covered for higher limits and you can also
avoid having outrageous deductibles, as well. The most basic
piece of advice is that if you are in doubt as to whether you
need to have commercial auto insurance coverage, you probably
should have it.
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