If you're a small business owner in Idaho with a fleet of vehicles, you know how important it is to have the right commercial auto insurance. In Idaho, commercial auto insurance is mandatory for businesses that use vehicles for work, and the minimum liability limits are $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death per accident, and $15,000 for property damage.
In Idaho, commercial auto insurance rates can vary depending on the type of vehicle, driver experience, and business type. For example, a trucking company may pay more for insurance than a small business with a few vans. Idaho also offers a variety of insurance options, including liability-only policies and comprehensive policies that cover damage to vehicles and other assets.
To get the best commercial auto insurance in Idaho, it's essential to shop around and compare rates from different insurance providers. You can also consider working with an independent insurance agent who can help you find the right policy for your business. By doing your research and choosing the right insurance, you can protect your business and your employees on the road.
Who Needs Commercial Auto Insurance?
If your company owns a car or any other type of road vehicle, you will very likely need commercial auto insurance. Almost every state requires commercial auto insurance coverage for business-owned vehicles, with mandatory liability limits for damage coverage.
Any company that uses vehicles should have small business auto insurance to protect them, especially if they are registered to your business or you are in the for-hire transportation industry. We provide coverage for these kinds of businesses and many others.
Businesses that need commercial auto insurance often have a vehicle titled to their business, drive to and from worksites, carry tools, equipment, or products used for work, transport clients or employees, or rely on delivery drivers or couriers.
Here are some examples of businesses that may need commercial auto insurance:
- Businesses with vehicles titled to their business
- Companies that drive to and from worksites
- Businesses that carry tools, equipment, or products used for work
- Companies that transport clients or employees
- Businesses that rely on delivery drivers or couriers
Don't worry, you have commercial auto insurance. You're covered!
Benefits and Savings
You can save money on your commercial auto insurance in Idaho by choosing a direct insurance provider. They can pass the savings on to you, potentially up to 20% less than policies with other insurance companies.
This can add up to significant cost savings for your business, allowing you to allocate more resources to growth and development.
Save Money
Saving money is a top priority for many small business owners, and we're happy to report that we can help you achieve that goal. By insuring your business directly, without a middleman or insurance broker, we pass the savings on to you.
You can expect to save up to 20% compared to policies with other insurance companies. This is a significant difference that can add up to make a big impact on your bottom line.
Why BiBERK for?
BiBERK is the perfect choice for anyone looking to save money on their insurance needs. With a 10% discount on auto insurance for bundling with other policies, you can start saving right away.
Their innovative approach to insurance has already saved customers an average of $435 per year. That's real money back in your pocket.
By offering a 24/7 claims service, BiBERK ensures that you're never left waiting for help when you need it most. This level of service is a game-changer for anyone who's ever had to deal with a frustrating insurance claim process.
With a focus on transparency and simplicity, BiBERK makes it easy to understand your policy and make changes as needed. This approach has earned them a 4.5-star rating from satisfied customers.
BiBERK's commitment to customer satisfaction is evident in their 95% customer retention rate. That's a testament to their ability to deliver on their promises and keep customers happy.
Accident Liability
Accident liability is a crucial aspect of commercial auto insurance in Idaho. You're protected against damages in accidents you cause, which can include repair costs for the other person's vehicle or property, and even legal expenses if you're sued over the other driver's injuries.
If you have a garage-based or auto service business, you're not protected against common garage operation risks, like a customer slipping and falling on leaked motor oil. Garage liability insurance is a type of general liability insurance that covers these risks.
As an Idaho business owner, your profession and risk profile can impact your insurance costs. For example, auto repair shops in Idaho will likely have a larger business insurance bill than accountants.
If you're involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist, your policy's uninsured motorist coverage can help. About one in eight drivers in the United States are uninsured, and this coverage ensures your business doesn't have to pay for the resulting medical expenses or vehicle repairs.
Coverage Options and Policy
In Idaho, commercial auto insurance covers vehicles owned by your business, so any vehicles used solely for work purposes must be covered by a commercial auto policy. This includes vehicles like a landscaping pickup or a food truck.
To ensure you're fully protected, consider additional coverage options beyond the minimum liability coverage required by law. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, for example, insures you against personal injuries and damage involving a company vehicle if the other party is unable to cover the full cost of damages.
Here are some other coverage options to consider:
- Medical payments coverage pays for medical expenses if employees and passengers are 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, covering the insured vehicle at all times, even during non-work-related uses.
Coverage Options
When purchasing commercial auto insurance, it's essential to consider coverage options beyond the minimum liability requirements. This includes options like uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which can protect you against personal injuries and damage caused by someone else.
Medical payments coverage is another option that pays for medical expenses if employees and passengers are injured in a company-owned vehicle, regardless of who is at fault. This can be a lifesaver in an emergency situation.
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. This can be especially important if you have a valuable vehicle or equipment.
Comprehensive coverage covers the costs of non-collision damages such as vandalism, theft, flood, or fire. This can protect your business from unexpected expenses.
Some other coverage options to consider include towing and labor coverage, which covers the cost of roadside assistance for company-owned vehicles, and loading and unloading coverage, which insures against the damage of equipment and materials during transport, loading, or unloading.
Here are some additional coverage options to consider:
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Medical payments coverage
- Collision coverage
- Comprehensive coverage
- Towing and labor coverage
- Loading and unloading coverage
- Bobtail coverage (recommended for tractors without a trailer)
What's Not Covered
Intentional damage or injuries caused by your actions are not covered by small business auto insurance.
Damage or injuries caused by racing are excluded from coverage, which is a crucial thing to remember if your employees use company cars for racing or other high-risk activities.
Injuries addressed by a workers' comp policy are not covered by commercial auto insurance, so it's essential to have a clear understanding of what's covered by each policy.
Only vehicles listed on the policy are covered, which means you need to make sure all your company cars are included in the policy.
Temporary rental vehicles are covered if your listed vehicle is being repaired, serviced, or suffered a total loss, providing some peace of mind in case of an emergency.
Hired/non-owned coverage can be added to a general liability policy or business owners policy (BOP) to cover employee-owned vehicles or borrowed vehicles, which is a smart thing to do if you have employees who use their own cars for work.
Policy in Idaho
In Idaho, commercial auto insurance is a must-have for businesses that use vehicles for work purposes. Any company that owns vehicles solely for business use must be covered by a commercial auto policy.
If your business owns a landscaping pickup, a food truck, or a fleet of company cars, you'll need to insure them with a commercial auto policy. This type of policy covers vehicles owned by your business.
The Idaho commercial auto insurance requirements are straightforward: you'll need a minimum of $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, and $15,000 property damage liability.
Here are the Idaho commercial auto insurance requirements in detail:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $15,000 property damage liability
Keep in mind that your insurance agency might recommend higher liability coverage limits based on the types of vehicles you own and how they're used. This is a good idea, especially if you have a large fleet of vehicles or operate in a high-risk industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best insurance for commercial vehicles?
For commercial vehicles, NEXT Insurance is the best option for small businesses, while Farmers is recommended for contractors. Consider getting a quote from NEXT or Farmers to find the best coverage for your specific needs.
Does commercial car insurance cost more?
Yes, commercial car insurance generally costs more than personal auto insurance due to higher coverage levels and risk protection. This increased cost reflects the added liability and potential losses associated with commercial driving.
Sources
- https://www.biberk.com/small-business-insurance/commercial-auto-insurance
- https://www.insureon.com/small-business-insurance/commercial-auto
- https://www.insureon.com/small-business-insurance/commercial-auto/idaho
- https://www.nextinsurance.com/business-insurance/idaho/
- https://1stchoiceinsurancebrokers.com/business-insurance/commercial-auto-insurance
Featured Images: pexels.com