If your business owns a work truck, runs a delivery van, or has employees who drive their own cars to pick up supplies, your vehicles are a big part of your daily risk. From contractors heading up Loop 101 to job sites in Surprise and Goodyear, to caterers and service businesses crisscrossing Peoria, Glendale, and Sun City, West Valley businesses spend a lot of time on the road. Commercial auto insurance is designed to help protect your business when those trips don't go as planned.
Why a Personal Auto Policy May Not Be Enough
Many business owners assume their personal auto policy covers a vehicle they also use for work. That isn't always the case. Personal policies often limit or exclude certain business uses, such as hauling equipment, delivering goods, or driving a vehicle titled to a company. If an accident happens during a work trip, a coverage gap could leave your business paying out of pocket. It's worth reviewing how each vehicle is titled and used with an agent.
What Commercial Auto Insurance Typically Covers
Policies vary by carrier and by the options you choose, but commercial auto coverage commonly includes:
- Liability for bodily injury and property damage your driver causes to others
- Collision for damage to your vehicle from an accident
- Comprehensive for theft, vandalism, fire, hail, and other non-collision losses
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if the at-fault driver doesn't carry enough insurance
- Medical payments for injuries to your driver and passengers
- Hired and non-owned auto coverage for rented vehicles or employees' personal cars used on company business
Arizona Risks West Valley Business Vehicles Face
Monsoon storms and hail
Summer monsoon season can bring sudden dust storms, flash flooding, and hail across the Valley. Comprehensive coverage may help with storm damage to work trucks and vans parked at job sites or in open lots.
Extreme heat
Triple-digit summers are hard on tires, batteries, and cooling systems. A breakdown on a busy stretch of Loop 101, Loop 303, or I-17 can quickly turn into an accident. Regular maintenance helps, and so does asking about roadside and rental options.
Tools and equipment in the truck
Contractors and trades often carry expensive tools and materials in their vehicles. Commercial auto policies generally don't cover those items, so many businesses pair their auto policy with tools and equipment (inland marine) coverage.
A growing, busier West Valley
Steady growth in Peoria, Surprise, Goodyear, and Avondale means more traffic and more chances for a fender bender, especially for vehicles that are on the road all day.
Who Should Consider Commercial Auto Coverage?
- Contractors, plumbers, electricians, HVAC, pool, and landscaping companies
- Delivery, catering, and food businesses
- Service businesses that travel to customers' homes or offices
- Businesses whose employees run errands in their own cars
- Companies that rent or lease vehicles
Ways to Help Manage Commercial Auto Costs
- Check driving records before employees drive company vehicles
- Put a written vehicle use and phone policy in place
- Keep up with maintenance, especially before summer
- Choose deductibles and limits that fit your budget and risk
- Compare quotes from several carriers rather than just one
Steps like these may help you save over time, and they can also help reduce the chance of a claim in the first place.
Compare Commercial Auto Options with a Local Peoria Agent
Every business uses its vehicles differently, and the right coverage depends on what you drive, who drives it, and how far it goes. As an independent agency, Just Insurance Services can compare commercial auto options from carriers such as Progressive, Travelers, The Hartford, and Acuity to help you find coverage that fits.
Call 623-523-0182 or stop by our Peoria office at 21501 N 78th Ave, Suite 100, for a free quote from 30+ insurance companies.