Commercial Vehicle Insurance

About Commercial Truck Insurance

July 6, 2012 By Statewide

Using a commercial truck? You'll need commercial truck insurance. Call Statewide Insurance Brokers.

If your business uses trucks to haul goods or other materials across town or across the country, then you need commercial truck insurance. No matter how good a trucker’s driving record may be, trucking itself can be a dangerous profession. At some point, a trucker will encounter hazardous conditions on the roadway. Are you prepared?

Carrying a commercial truck insurance policy ensures that both the driver and any other motorists are compensated in the event of accidental injury or damage that may occur in a crash. The two major types of truck insurance that exist include general liability and physical damage plans.

General liability typically covers business employees and any independent truck owner/operators you may hire for a specific haul. This type of insurance policy will take care of damage sustained in an accident by the other motorist(s). This type of protection is required by law no matter the circumstances under which a commercial truck is being operated.

Physical damage coverage protects against damage done to your personal property–for example, any trucks you may own and use for your business–regardless of who’s at fault in the accident. A comprehensive insurance policy will cover you in the event of such unforeseen events as theft, fire, flood and earthquakes, all of which are among the many dangers that exist on the road.

When you buy commercial truck insurance, it’s important to make sure that your policy maximums are equivalent to your estimated repair or replacement expenses. Don’t forget to also factor in state and government restrictions when deciding on the level of coverage to purchase. The experts at Statewide Insurance can help you sort out these issues and determine which insurance plan currently on the market best meets your business needs: call or e-mail us today for an estimate.

Call Statewide Insurance Brokers at (888) 258-0272 to get fast quotes on commercial truck insurance.

Who Needs Fleet Insurance?

April 22, 2012 By Statewide

Whether you have one vehicle or many, if you use your vehicles for any commercial purpose at all, you need commercial or fleet insurance for your rolling stock. This is very important because if you do not specifically cover your vehicles for the purposes for which they are used, you may find a claim being denied you by your insurance company at some future date. Even if you just drive your car to work and use it for business appointments, you should have business, commercial or fleet coverage – even a fleet of one.

Fleet insurance has pretty much the same legal requirements as personal auto insurance. However there are exceptions because states do have different rules. Statewide can help you with this. It is especially important if your vehicles operate across state lines.

If you have trailers, liability insurance isn’t needed for them because they are not vehicles. Generally, the liability insurance of the vehicle towing also covers the trailer. It is important to note that comprehensive and collision coverage for the trailers generally need to be written separately though.

Here are some other important points:

make sure all drivers are listed under the fleet policy. If a driver is not listed, there is no coverage if they get into an accident;
most fleet policies will not cover drivers under the age of 25;
the drivers must be properly trained and licensed on the vehicle they are driving; and,
the drivers must have good driving records.
that your equipment and goods inside the vehicles must have separate coverage for theft and vandalism and this is usually covered by “inland marine” coverage which is a separate policy.

Statewide Insurance will help you find the right insurance coverage for you and your vehicles. Whether you have a large fleet or a small one, we have the experience and knowledge to help you get the coverage you need at the price you can afford.

Call Statewide Insurance Brokers at (888) 258-0272 today for fast, free quotes on your insurance needs.

Why You Need Commercial Vehicle Insurance

December 16, 2011 By Statewide

statewide commercial vehicle insurance If you are a business owner who routinely uses vehicles to visit your clients and/or deliver goods and services, then you need commercial vehicle insurance. This is because if a car you/an employee uses for commercial purposes is ever involved in an accident, you could suffer huge losses that could cause irreparable harm to your business.

Much like a standard auto policy, a commercial one will typically cover repair and replacement costs in a vehicle that has been damaged in an accident. It will also takes care of the costs of any claims filed against the driver for injuries or any harm done to property. Where it differs is in the forms it takes: coverage for commercial vehicle insurance is classified into three kinds.

The first is for business owners who only need their vehicles for intermittent commercial use. This is good for individuals whose autos aren’t explicitly registered for business purposes and don’t play a major role in generating income for the enterprise. Such insurance also covers private use.

The second kind of commercial auto insurance also covers both personal and business use: in this case however, the vehicle(s) insured are customarily employed for commercial purposes and driven by a designated driver.

The third type of insurance is for designated drivers whose vehicles play a major part in the day-to-day business activities of a particular firm. If your employees use their personal vehicles for work purposes, you would also be advised to look into non-owned auto policies. This kind of coverage applies to all vehicles not registered to a company.

When you’re ready to purchase commercial vehicle insurance, be sure to have the drivers license numbers of all designated drivers in your company as well as copies of their driving records. Also have a list of the the vehicle identification numbers (VINs), makes and models of all cars you plan to insure.

Statewide Insurance Brokers can help you decide what works best for your specific needs and get you the best value for your money: contact us today for a free quote. Call 888-258-0272.

Adequate California Commercial Auto Insurance Is A Must

August 31, 2011 By Statewide

california_commercial_auto_insurance_statewide

Hurricanes are just one concern, along with earthquakes, mudslides, tornados and more.

Natural disasters are rarely considered when purchasing commercial auto insurance, but with the recent geographical and meteorological events in the U.S., this might change.

The article here discusses the vital necessity for businesses to be insured, and one of those needs is commercial auto insurance.

Commercial auto is no different than any other business insurance. If you have your big vehicles and trucks insured, you’ll be a lot less concerned about Mother Nature wreaking havoc on your invaluable assets. After all, if your trucks or equipment go down…you go down.

So don’t take chances. Get your investments insured and rest easy knowing you are covered for when the unpredictable happens.

Call Statewide Insurance Brokers at 888-258-0272 today.

Virginia Commercial Vehicle Insurance

August 15, 2011 By Statewide

Commercial vehicle insurance is highlighted in this contractor insurance and bond education series video from Statewide Insurance Brokers.

Company cars, trucks, commercial vehicles, SUV’s or any vehicle utilized by an organization should be covered by commercial vehicle insurance.

Commercial vehicle insurance requirements vary by state, so if you are in need of Virginia Commercial Vehicle Insurance, contact an insurance specialist like Statewide Insurance Brokers who can put you in touch with the best insurance providers for your needs.

Call Statewide Insurance Brokers at 888-258-0272 today.

Commercial Truck Insurance for Texas

July 22, 2011 By Statewide

Texas commercial truck insurance statewide insurance brokers

Driving in Texas? Get the lowdown on commercial truck requirements and insurance

Motor carriers traveling in Texas must comply with federal and state operating requirements. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) provides a brochure as a guide. Some helpful facts from this guide are listed below.

For more information, you can call the TxDOT at 1-800-299-1700 to assist you in connecting with agencies for specific operating requirements.

Some facts regarding Texas Commercial Vehicle Insurance and Operation:

Operators of commercial vehicles and those transporting household goods for-hire must register with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) for operating authority. Vehicles exceeding 26,000 pounds and all household goods carriers/movers must file proof of insurance when registering. To register online or for additional information on Motor Carrier Registration, visit www.txdmv.gov or call 1-888-368-4689.
Most commercial vehicle operators are required to have a Commercial Driver License (CDL). To determine if a driver is required to have a CDL, contact DPS, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Service, at 1-800-299-1700 (option 6) or visit the DPS website where you can access a quick flow chart to help determine your situation.
All commercial vehicles must be registered. When registering for intrastate movement (traveling only in Texas), visit your county tax office to obtain Combination license plates.
Vehicles not authorized to operate on Texas highways due to lack of registration or registration reciprocity [privileges granted by one state or area to another], may be issued 72-hour or 144-hour temporary registrations. Contact your county tax assessor/collector or call the TxDOT Motor Carrier Division at 1-800-299-1700 (option 1).
Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Handbook

For help in obtaining Texas Commercial Truck Insurance, contact Statewide Insurance Brokers at 888-258-0272.

Oregon Commercial Auto and Truck Insurance

July 20, 2011 By Statewide

What is Commercial Automobile And Truck Insurance?

Mount Hood Oregon Statewide Commercial Vehicle Insurance

In Oregon, commercial vehicle insurance is a must for most businesses

Commercial auto (and truck) insurance is specifically intended for the vehicles you as a contractor must use as part of your business. The policies are not limited to vehicles your company owns.

Many Oregon insurance policies provide larger umbrellas of protection for rented vehicles as well as personal vehicles of employees that get used on company business. The costs of such policies can vary, depending on such factors as the number of vehicles involved and the number of potential drivers.

The key to getting commercial auto insurance that works for you is locating an agent that works with several different insurance companies. This will guarantee agent flexibility when it comes time to find a policy that fits the needs of your particular business.

Commercial vs. Personal Auto Insurance

Some people try to buy coverage for their work vehicles from their personal auto insurance agent. Although some similarities exist between the two forms of insurance, this is a big mistake.

All auto policies must cover the following:

Damages and injuries resulting from an accident
Costs associated with underinsured and uninsured motorists
Vehicle theft
The theft of property inside vehicles

The needs of your business, however, differ radically from those of the average car owner. To begin, businesses are often targets for lawsuits. It is therefore wise to invest in greater liability insurance. But the added financial obligations don’t end there.

A commercial vehicle typically travels more miles with different drivers. As a result the sum of liability coverage is usually much higher than is the case for personal insurance, as policies cover more than vehicles your company possesses.

Furthermore, if you are in the business of transporting hazardous wastes or expensive equipment, you will need to purchase insurance to cover what gets conveyed in your vehicle. The type and age of vehicle your company uses will also add to commercial vehicle insurance costs and send them higher than the ones associated with your personal vehicle.

Tips to Contain Commercial Vehicle Insurance Costs

Like personal auto insurance policies, those for commercial vehicles offer deductions that can lower your total costs. Following are a few ways you can help make insuring your commercial vehicle more financially manageable:

Promote safe driving habits at your company
Install devices on your vehicle(s) that deter theft
Always screen for high-risk drivers
Consider the type and age of any new vehicle to your business fleet

Your vehicle is important or business. So is the kind of insurance you purchase for it: don’t be caught off guard.

Commercial Auto and Truck Insurance is Available for California, Texas, Nevada, Oregon, Minnesota and Virginia from Statewide Insurance Brokers. Call 888-258-0272.

Nevada Commercial Vehicle Insurance: Insurance that You Can Depend On

June 28, 2011 By Statewide

Nevada commercial vehicle insurance statewide insurance brokers

Don't get caught with the wrong, or no, insurance. Call Statewide for Nevada commercial vehicle insurance.

Commercial vehicle insurance is a critical part of your business in Nevada. When you are driving a vehicle, even if it is your personal car, for work purposes it is not covered under your traditional insurance protection. You have to make sure that you have commercial coverage for all of the work applications that you may need. Nothing is worse than thinking that you are protected only to find out after an accident that you can’t file a claim because you weren’t using the car for the proper type of use as declared on your policy.

When you get an auto insurance policy, it typically lists your vehicle for pleasure use. Therefore, if you are caught in a situation where you are using it for work instead of pleasure and something happens, you’re out of luck. This is where Nevada commercial vehicle insurance comes in. Whether you have large trucks specifically for your contractor business or just your own work truck to insure, you need to make sure that you get a specific policy for work use of your vehicles. The policy will typically dictate the type of use of the vehicle, the size of the vehicle, and the coverage that it has. Then, your premiums will be determined on these factors, as well as others.

Nevada commercial vehicle insurance can cover all types of vehicles that are involved in your contractor business. You need to make sure that they are all insured properly and sometimes you can even insure them on the same policy. If you have a high number of vehicles for your business, you might even consider looking into fleet insurance coverage for the group of vehicles that you have to insure. Talk with a reputable, professional insurance agent about your options so that you can get the coverage that you deserve.

Truck insurance, as a contractor, is one of the most important elements in your business. You can’t buy just any run-of-the-mill truck insurance coverage, though. You have to make sure that you are getting commercial vehicle insurance and that you are using it to your advantage so that you are protected at all times. Whether you have one truck or ten trucks, there are insurance solutions out there. Being a properly licensed and insured Nevada contractor is simply part of the job and something that will protect your business and impress your customers more than if you didn’t have the right coverage and protection in place.

If you work out of Nevada and need assistance in getting commercial vehicle insurance, contact Statewide Insurance Brokers at (888) 258-0272.

California Commercial Vehicle Insurance—Protect Your Vehicles

June 22, 2011 By Statewide

California commercial vehicle insurance statewide insurance brokers

Call Statewide Insurance Brokers for your California commercial vehicle insurance needs

If you are a contractor in California, commercial vehicle insurance is a must-have. You need to learn about the laws of insurance in the state of California because they are different than any other state. It’s important that you find an insurance company that deals with insurance for residents of the state because they will be the most educated on your needs. Any vehicle that you use for your work as a contractor needs to have commercial insurance, no matter whether it’s the truck that you drive to the job site or whether it’s a company truck that is used for deliveries and hauling.

California commercial vehicle insurance costs are different for everyone, and depend on the coverage that you purchase. Basic liability coverage is often something that a lot of people look at, but the reality of the situation is that most people need more than just basic coverage. You really need to look into full coverage so that you can get protection from all types of events. Imagine if your vehicle is on a job site and an earthquake hits. If anything happens to the vehicle and you don’t have the right coverage, you’re out of luck.

Of course, earthquakes are not the only thing that you have to worry about. You should also consider any situation that could go badly and cause damage to your vehicles. If they are being used for work and aren’t insured with California commercial vehicle insurance, you’re going to be stuck footing the bill yourself in the end. In the state of California, you have to tell the insurance company how your trucks will be used and the size of your fleet. The minimum coverage required in the state is liability protection, but the limits of that coverage requirement will vary depending on the type of commercial vehicles that you are insuring.

As a business owner, you need to protect all the aspects of your business. This includes purchasing California commercial vehicle insurance for your trucks and other work vehicles. Your contracting business won’t be successful if you don’t have the right insurance protection so make sure that you get the coverage that you need. With the right resources and information, however, it will be easy for you to get the commercial insurance that you need for your work vehicles. It doesn’t matter how many you have or what they’re used for, because unless they are declared as commercial vehicles and insured accordingly, you’re putting yourself and your business at risk.

Statewide Insurance Brokers can help you obtain California commercial vehicle insurance. Call us today at (888) 258-0272.

Commercial Truck Insurance—All About It

June 15, 2011 By Statewide

What is commercial truck insurance?

Commercial truck insurance statewide insurance brokers

Statewide can insure that your truck drivers have the proper insurance

This type of insurance is an absolute requirement for any motor carrier owner to be successful. This is commonly purchased among large trucking companies. The keep their big rigs covered should there be an accident while they’re out on the road making deliveries. However, this isn’t only just for company trucks. It can also be extended to cover other vehicles that operate in the same business. This goes for light-duty trucks, cars, vans and sport utility vehicles. A calculation of a company’s commercial insurance rates is hard to pinpoint. This is especially true if the company has many vehicles or accidents and it can make the rates soar.

How are the rates determined for commercial truck insurance?

There are numerous factors that go into this equation. Some that most insurance companies look at are: driver’s accident history and whether or not it was their fault. This will help determine that possibility that the driver may be involved in more accidents in the future. If there are any accidents, or many of them on different drivers, this will more than likely end up meaning the premiums will be higher. Traffic violations can have the same effect on rates as well.

The more traffic violations your drivers have, the higher the insurance rates will go. Many insurance companies share information with each other. Such information includes payments and claims made along with detailed information on such claims. This helps them to verify a company’s driving history, previous insurance history and their individual driver’s performance records. Time plays a big part in figuring out the premiums for commercial truck insurance. For example, if a driver has been driving for a long time, the lower the premiums can be. This is because statistics have concluded that the longer a driver has experience, the lesser accidents this driver will likely have.

It is why most commercial truck drivers are required to take a class and pass tests in order to become big rig drivers. Age is another factor for lower premiums. The ideal range for most cost saving premiums comes for drivers that are between 30 and 65. Drivers who are very young or very old are more prone to accidents on the road. On the business owner’s side, however, any gap or time frame without insurance can hurt your premiums. This will usually result in a quick increase in rates. This can happen when a policy has expired and was not replaced or renewed immediately. Keeping your commercial truck insurance active and current is just as important as keeping up with your business.

Be sure your commercial truck drivers have the insurance they need. Contact Statewide Insurance Brokers today at (888) 258-0272 for fast quotes!