Arizona Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements for Your Business

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If you own a business in Arizona, you're required to have commercial auto insurance to protect yourself and others on the road. This is a state law that applies to all businesses that use vehicles for work.

In Arizona, the minimum liability insurance requirements for commercial vehicles are $15,000 for bodily injury or death per person, $30,000 for bodily injury or death per accident, and $10,000 for property damage. This is the bare minimum, and you may want to consider higher coverage limits to protect your business.

Arizona also requires businesses to have uninsured motorist coverage, which protects you and your employees from drivers who don't have insurance. This is an important consideration, especially in a state with a high rate of uninsured drivers.

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is responsible for enforcing commercial auto insurance laws in the state, so be sure to check with them for specific requirements and regulations.

Arizona Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements

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Arizona requires all commercial auto policies to have a minimum liability limit of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $15,000 for property damage.

You'll need to ensure your policy meets these requirements, which are outlined in Arizona Revised Statutes Section 28-4009.

Each state, including Arizona, requires commercial auto insurance for business-owned vehicles, and all states require the ability to compensate someone if you or an employee are at fault in an accident.

Requirements

Arizona requires commercial auto insurance for business-owned vehicles, and all states require the ability to compensate someone if you or an employee are at fault in an accident.

Every state except for New Hampshire requires commercial auto insurance, and failing to maintain this coverage can result in steep financial penalties.

In Arizona, commercial auto policies must have a minimum liability limit of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage.

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Arizona state law requires all commercial auto policies to meet these minimum liability limits, and some policies may be required to carry higher limits based on the types of vehicles they insure.

Businesses must maintain up-to-date insurance coverage that meets the minimum liability limits and policy provisions as outlined in the Arizona Revised Statutes.

The policy must explicitly designate the vehicles covered, provide clarity in coverage, and prevent ambiguity regarding which vehicles are insured.

Commercial auto policies in Arizona must cover the named insured and any individuals using the vehicle with the insured's permission, broadening the scope of protection.

The coverage extends to incidents occurring within the United States and Canada, providing a wide geographical range of protection.

The policy must state the name and address of the insured, the coverage provided, and the premium charged to maintain transparency and accountability.

Businesses are encouraged to regularly review and update their insurance policies to reflect any changes in their operations or in state law.

Location

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Paying for commercial auto coverage in Arizona can be affected by the location you operate in. Phoenix, being a large city, tends to have higher prices compared to smaller cities like Flagstaff.

Areas with more claims or expensive settlements can drive up costs. This is a common phenomenon.

The risk of weather-related events, such as hurricanes and floods, also plays a role in determining premiums.

Understanding Your Coverage

The amount of coverage you need affects your premium, and policyholders with the Arizona state minimum limits of 25/50/15 will pay less than those needing a combined single limit of $1M.

A commercial auto insurance policy in Arizona must explicitly outline the name and address of the insured, the coverage afforded, and the premium charged, establishing a clear contractual relationship between the insurer and the insured.

The policy provisions allow for specific exclusions that reflect the unique risks associated with commercial vehicle operations, such as excluding coverage for intentional acts or damages to property owned by the insured.

Here's a list of additional coverage options to consider:

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
  • Medical payments (MedPay) coverage
  • Collision coverage
  • Comprehensive coverage
  • Towing and labor coverage
  • Loading and unloading coverage
  • Bobtail coverage

What Are Split Limits and Combined Single Limits?

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Split limits and combined single limits are two types of coverage limits you'll come across when shopping for a commercial auto policy. Most policies have a split limit, which means different limits for bodily injury, property damage liability, and property damage.

Policyholders with a split limit will pay less than those needing a combined single limit of $1M, according to Arizona state minimum limits of 25/50/15.

Commercial auto policies with a split limit have different limits for bodily injury, property damage liability, and property damage. This is in contrast to combined single limit policies.

Combined single limit policies have one limit that is the maximum for both bodily injury and property damage liability combined.

What Else Is Covered?

Commercial auto insurance is more than just a requirement for Arizona businesses. In addition to liability coverage, there are several other types of coverage that can provide extra protection.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can help you pay for injuries and damage if the other party involved in an accident doesn't have enough insurance to cover the costs.

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Medical payments (MedPay) coverage pays for medical expenses for employees and passengers injured in a company-owned vehicle, regardless of who is at fault.

Collision coverage helps pay for the cost of repairing or replacing your company vehicle if it's damaged in an accident, regardless of who was at fault.

Comprehensive coverage covers the costs of non-collision damages such as vandalism, theft, flood, or fire.

Towing and labor coverage covers the cost of roadside assistance for company-owned vehicles.

Loading and unloading coverage insures against the damage of equipment and materials during transport, loading, or unloading.

Bobtail coverage is recommended when you're using tractors without a trailer, and it usually covers the insured vehicle at all times, even during non-work-related uses.

Cargo insurance may also be a worthwhile consideration for companies that frequently transport goods or equipment, as it protects against loss or damage to items being transported.

Driving History

Your driving history is a crucial factor in determining your commercial auto insurance rates.

Drivers with accidents on their record can expect their rates to increase.

A motor vehicle report will be run on all drivers with access to your business vehicles.

Your insurance company will take the past three years of driving history into account.

Policy Provisions and Exclusions

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Arizona's commercial auto insurance policies are structured with specific provisions that define the scope and limitations of coverage.

The policy must explicitly outline the name and address of the insured, the coverage afforded, and the premium charged, establishing a clear contractual relationship between the insurer and the insured.

The policy must include a comprehensive agreement or endorsement that aligns with the state’s statutory definitions for bodily injury, death, and property damage coverage.

Exclusions are crucial for preventing moral hazard, and Arizona policies can exclude coverage for intentional acts or damages to property owned by the insured.

The policy can also exclude coverage for vehicles used as part of a transportation network company unless explicitly stated, reflecting the evolving nature of commercial vehicle use.

Insurers use exclusions to manage risk by delineating the boundaries of coverage, and this helps prevent unnecessary claims and costs.

Business Vehicle Insurance

In Arizona, you're required to carry commercial auto insurance to cover and protect your small business should any collision or auto damage occur. This is a must-have for any business owner who uses company-owned vehicles.

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Many small businesses in Arizona, such as contractors and food trucks, need commercial auto insurance to safeguard against accidents that involve their business vehicles. Personal auto policies usually won't cover vehicles used for commercial purposes because they're typically exposed to more risk than personal vehicles.

Arizona's 592,000 small businesses need commercial auto insurance to protect their work vehicles and livelihoods. Each gets customized coverage to match their unique needs, whether they own a single cleaning service van in Tucson or several landscaping trucks in Phoenix.

As a small business owner, you may be required to carry commercial auto insurance if you own more than nine vehicles. You may be able to obtain self-insurance or a certificate of deposit if you express financial responsibility, but this can be more challenging.

The type of insurance you need will depend on the dimensions and intended uses of the vehicle, as well as other factors. You'll need to consider the amount of coverage you need, which affects your premium, and whether you need additional coverage options such as comprehensive or collision coverage.

In Arizona, businesses utilizing commercial vehicles can tailor their auto insurance policies beyond the basic requirements. This allows for enhanced protection through additional coverage options, such as cargo insurance, which protects against loss or damage to items being transported.

Frequently Asked Questions

What auto insurance is required by law in Arizona?

In Arizona, the minimum required auto insurance coverage includes $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person, $50,000 for two or more persons, and $15,000 for property damage. This coverage is mandatory to register and operate a vehicle in the state.

Sean Dooley

Lead Writer

Sean Dooley is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting engaging content. With a strong background in research and analysis, Sean has developed a keen eye for detail and a talent for distilling complex information into clear, concise language. Sean's portfolio includes a wide range of articles on topics such as accounting services, where he has demonstrated a deep understanding of financial concepts and a ability to communicate them effectively to diverse audiences.

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