Commercial automobile insurance is required in California if you drive your car or truck primarily for business purposes or if your firm maintains a fleet of cars.
Finding the appropriate supplier for this coverage can be difficult. Check out our top five providers for commercial vehicle insurance in California, as well as the information you need to secure the correct coverage for your business at a reasonable price.
What is Commercial Car Insurance in California?
Commercial vehicle coverage covers damage to business-owned vehicles caused by an accident or theft. Commercial auto insurance covers the following situations:
- You hit a vehicle or pedestrian on your way to a business meeting.
- An employee runs off the road and crashes into a fence while conducting a work errand.
- Your employee is involved in an accident while making a delivery, and someone is gravely hurt, resulting in substantial medical expenses.
- These are just a few instances that highlight the importance of commercial car insurance.
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4 Best Commercial Car Insurance in California
1. Progressive
Progressive’s ongoing series of commercials depicting Flo may give the impression that the corporation isn’t serious.
It’s a respected organization that has been providing vehicle insurance for over 80 years and business coverage for half a century.
Progressive not only offers a comprehensive choice of commercial auto insurance options, but it can also provide all of the coverage your business requires. The organization is well-known for its flexibility, competitive pricing, and excellent service.
Progressive provides the following forms of commercial vehicle insurance:
- Commercial auto and truck
- Tow, dump and food truck.
Two types of Progressive insurance cover specialized vehicles:
- Landscaper
- Contractor.
Progressive also provides business insurance policies, allowing you to bundle all of your coverage:
- Business Owner Policies (BOPs)
- General liability insurance
- Workers’ compensation insurance
- Professional liability insurance.
2. Simply Business
If you want to compare many commercial auto insurance rates to discover the best deal for you and your company, you should start with Simply Business.
They are a digital broker that works with various commercial auto insurance companies. They can obtain quotations from various providers, allowing you to compare and select the best and cheapest option in one spot.
Another advantage of dealing with Simply Business is that once you acquire a policy from them, you will have access to their digital dashboard, which allows you to manage all of your business insurance plans in one spot.
The dashboard also includes important functions such as downloading a proof of insurance, registering a claim, and renewing your policy.
Simply Business has a positive customer satisfaction rating of 4.1 out of 5 on Trustpilot, which is significantly higher than the average rating of their insurance provider peers.
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3. Allstate
Allstate is the third-largest auto insurer in the United States and one of the top commercial vehicle insurers in California.
It is a financially sound corporation with ample cash reserves to pay out claims. The Better Business Bureau gives it an excellent rating for operations, customer service, and overall satisfaction.
The only drawbacks to insuring your business cars with Allstate are that it does not have as many coverage options as other providers, does not provide truck-specific coverage, and is more expensive in some cases.
This is tempered by their willingness to customize coverage and their second-to-none claims process.
4. Smart Financial: Ideal for educated agents.
If you want to work with agents who specialize in your industry and have extensive expertise offering commercial vehicle insurance to a wide range of firms, Smart Financial may be a good fit.
They are a nationwide broker that specializes in small business insurance. They collaborate with a vast network of hundreds of agents across the country that are very qualified and experienced in offering commercial auto insurance to small businesses of all sizes.
Regardless of how unusual and niche your sector is, Smart Financial will connect you with an agent who is most informed about the intricacies of your business, allowing them to find you the greatest coverage at the most inexpensive pricing.
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What does commercial auto insurance cover in California?
Most business vehicle insurance packages cover the following:
- Bodily injury: This is compulsory coverage in California and compensates for the medical expenses of anyone else involved in an accident caused by you or someone you employ.
- Property damage responsibility pays for damage to other people’s property caused by you as a result of an accident.
- Collision coverage pays for your damages in the event of an accident, regardless of who is at blame.
- Comprehensive coverage covers damages that are unrelated to an accident, such as theft or vandalism.
- Medical coverage is a separate insurance policy that covers accident-related medical expenses that are not covered by another policy.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: This policy covers accident-related expenses if the other driver does not have insurance.
California only requires bodily injury and property damage liability insurance. However, it is critical to consult with an insurance specialist to determine which coverage you require.
It may save you from having to pay accident-related charges, which can have a significant influence on your bottom line.
How do I find cheap commercial auto insurance in California?
California law requires commercial auto insurance. Not having it could be a really poor idea. Accidents can bankrupt your firm and land you in jail.
- The good news is that it is feasible to find cheap commercial auto insurance by using the following tips:
Always browse around with at least 3–5 providers or a digital broker like CoverWallet to evaluate numerous rates before selecting the ultimate carrier.
- Maintaining a solid driving record and credit score can help lower your commercial auto premiums.
- Keeping your commercial auto insurance coverage steady. If there are gaps in your commercial auto insurance coverage, your premiums may increase.
- Finally, if the carrier provides telemetry monitoring to reduce your premium as a result of your good driving record, you should consider enrolling in that program.
How to Find Cheaper Commercial Car Insurance in California?
Finding cheaper business auto insurance might be difficult, but there are a few things you can do to help reduce your cost. Here are a few pointers to remember when shopping for commercial auto insurance:
- Shop around: One of the most effective strategies to obtain lower commercial auto insurance is to shop around and compare quotes from several insurance companies. Obtain estimates from at least three different insurers to get a sense of the market.
- Bundle your policies: Consider bundling your commercial auto insurance with additional forms of coverage, such as general liability or workers’ compensation. This can often result in discounts and lower pricing.
- Improve your safety record: A good track record of safe driving might help you save money on commercial auto insurance. Make sure your drivers are adequately taught, and urge them to drive safely.
- Raise your deductibles: Increasing your deductible can help you save money on commercial auto insurance. Keep in mind, however, that this will require you to pay extra out of pocket if you file a claim.
- Evaluate your coverage: Examine your commercial auto insurance policy to ensure you have the appropriate coverage for your business. Consider dropping coverage you don’t need or decreasing coverage for older automobiles.
- Use Telematics: Telematics is a technique that employs GPS and sensors to monitor how much you drive, where you drive, and your driving patterns. Many insurance firms utilize this technology to offer discounts to responsible drivers.
- Check for discounts: Many insurance companies provide discounts for good driving records, safety features, and completing a defensive driving course. Make sure to inquire about any discounts that may apply to you.