10 Good Things To Ask About Business Auto
Insurance
1. Is coverage mandatory for a practice that uses
vehicles?
Yes. Just like with personal auto insurance, it's
against the law to drive a vehicle without insurance to cover injuries or
damage to others that an employee causes as a result of a car accident.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages are available by
endorsement.
2. Is Business Auto Insurance better than Personal
Insurance?
Business Auto coverage is similar to the coverage
you may carry on your personal auto policy; however, business auto exposures
can be more complex requiring specialty coverages to be considered based on
individual business needs. Hired/non-owned auto liability is a must if
employees use their personal vehicles for business-related errands or house
calls.
3. How do I find out about what's out there?
The most effective way to compare rates and coverage available to you is
through a broker like HUB International. On behalf of the AVMA PLIT, they can
point you to the right type of policy based on the practice type and how you
use your vehicles.
4. What can I do to influence the premium I
pay?
The best ways to keep rates down is to make sure that
you're a safe driver, hire and employ safe drivers and use less expensive
vehicles for your business.
5. What factors impact the premium I
pay for Business Auto Insurance?
Insurance premiums can be
affected by everything from the type of business you operate, to the type of
vehicles you own; to the
radius you operate your business in, and the
driving records of yourself and your employees.
6. What is the reputation of the insurance
company?
Make sure you do the research before moving forward
with a Business Auto policy. Ask your insurance representative or go online to
answer questions like - Do they have a long history? Are they reputable? Do
they know your business?
7. What extra benefits are added
onto the policy without additional cost?
Every insurance
company is different. So make sure to ask about extra benefits when shopping
around, because they could prove useful when an accident happens and save you
money in the long run.
8. Does coverage vary state to
state?
It definitely can. Each state has its own rules and
regulations that can affect rates and types of coverage that an insurance
carrier can make available to your business.
9. Are all my
employees covered by my Business Insurance policy?
They should
be, but there are exceptions. This is a very important question to ask when
you're shopping around for the perfect Business Auto policy.
10. How does the claims process work?
The process
usually includes reporting an accident to both the police and your insurance
company, assessing the damage, and working with a claims handler. When
selecting an insurance carrier, be sure to ask about any benefits they offer
in the event of an accident, like a network of repair shops where the work
is guaranteed as long as the vehicle is leased or owned.