Commercial Auto Insurance Illinois Requirements and Benefits

Author

Reads 156

An Insurance Agent Holding an Insurance Policy
Credit: pexels.com, An Insurance Agent Holding an Insurance Policy

In Illinois, commercial auto insurance is a must-have for businesses that use vehicles for work. You'll need to have a minimum of $250,000 in liability coverage per accident.

The state requires businesses to have a commercial auto insurance policy if they have one or more vehicles. This includes vehicles used for deliveries, road trips, or other business purposes.

To get the best coverage, consider your business's specific needs and risks. For example, if you have a large fleet of vehicles, you may want to consider a policy that covers multiple vehicles.

Commercial auto insurance in Illinois can also provide additional benefits, such as coverage for personal property damage and medical expenses.

What is Commercial Auto Insurance?

Commercial auto insurance is a type of insurance that covers vehicles used for business purposes.

In Illinois, commercial auto insurance is required by law for any business that owns or operates a vehicle. This includes taxis, limousines, and delivery vehicles.

Credit: youtube.com, What is Commercial Auto Insurance//commercial auto insurance quote

Commercial auto insurance policies typically cover damage to the vehicle, as well as medical expenses for injuries sustained in an accident.

The cost of commercial auto insurance in Illinois can vary depending on several factors, including the type of vehicle, the driver's experience and record, and the business's overall risk profile.

Businesses that use their vehicles for delivery or transportation services often require higher coverage limits to account for the increased risk of accidents.

Do I Need Commercial Auto Insurance?

Commercial auto insurance is required in Illinois, so your business vehicles must carry the state minimum liability coverage.

In Illinois, there were over 319,000 reported crashes in 2018 alone, with approximately 21% resulting in injuries. Without adequate insurance protection, a single accident could potentially bankrupt your business.

Any Illinois company that uses vehicles for business purposes must insure them appropriately. Commercial auto insurance covers vehicles owned by your business.

A personal auto insurance policy covers you while driving to and from work, but not while making deliveries, picking up supplies, and other work-specific uses. A business auto policy would cover you and your personal vehicle in case you’re at fault for an accident during a work-related errand.

Credit: youtube.com, What is Commercial Auto Insurance? | Do I need Business Auto Insurance?

Having more coverage can prevent the business from absorbing the cost of lawsuits and settlements. Businesses are often at risk of lawsuits since people assume businesses have deep pockets.

It’s crucial to understand that personal auto policies usually do not cover vehicles used for business purposes. This gap in coverage can lead to severe financial consequences if an accident occurs while using a personal vehicle for work-related tasks.

In addition to liability coverage, you may want to get collision or comprehensive coverage for the vehicle itself.

Types of Vehicles and Coverage

A commercial auto insurance policy in Illinois can cover a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, vans, and specialized equipment.

The types of vehicles that can be covered under a commercial auto policy in Illinois include cars to visit or transport clients, commercial cargo vans, commercial trucks such as dump trucks and tractor-trailers, pickup trucks, box trucks, and service utility trucks.

Credit: youtube.com, Common Mistakes When Buying Commercial Auto Insurance

You'll need to consider the types of vehicles you own and how they're used when determining the right coverage limits for your business. For example, semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and other vehicles with a U.S. Department of Transportation of Illinois serial number will have additional liability coverage requirements, depending on the type of vehicle and how it's used.

Here are some examples of vehicles that can be covered under a commercial auto policy in Illinois:

  • Cars to visit or transport clients
  • Commercial cargo vans
  • Commercial trucks such as dump trucks and tractor-trailers
  • Pickup trucks
  • Box trucks
  • Service utility trucks

Vehicle Types

In Illinois, a commercial auto insurance policy can cover a variety of vehicles, including cars to visit or transport clients.

Some examples of vehicles that can be covered under a commercial auto policy are commercial cargo vans, commercial trucks like dump trucks and tractor-trailers, pickup trucks, and box trucks.

Service utility trucks are also eligible for coverage under a commercial auto policy.

Here are some examples of vehicles that can be covered under a commercial auto policy:

  • Cars to visit or transport clients
  • Commercial cargo vans
  • Commercial trucks such as dump trucks and tractor-trailers
  • Pickup trucks
  • Box trucks
  • Service utility trucks

Illinois requires a minimum of $25,000 per person bodily injury liability, $50,000 per accident bodily injury liability, $20,000 per accident property damage liability, $25,000 per person uninsured motorist coverage, and $50,000 per accident uninsured motorist coverage for all vehicles in the state.

Vehicle Coverage Under Policy

Credit: youtube.com, Understanding Auto Insurance: What’s ‘Full Coverage’ Car Insurance?

Any Illinois company that uses vehicles for business purposes must insure them appropriately. Commercial auto insurance covers vehicles owned by your business, while hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA) covers personal, rented, and leased vehicles used by your business.

A commercial auto policy can cover a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, vans, and specialized equipment. Coverage extends to owned, leased, rented, and employee-owned vehicles used for business purposes.

Here are some examples of vehicles that can be covered under a commercial auto policy:

  • Cars to visit or transport clients
  • Commercial cargo vans
  • Commercial trucks such as dump trucks and tractor-trailers
  • Pickup trucks
  • Box trucks
  • Service utility trucks

It's also worth noting that food trucks require standard commercial auto coverage plus specialized protections, including coverage for cooking equipment, product spoilage, and business interruption due to vehicle breakdown.

Vehicles with a U.S. Department of Transportation of Illinois serial number will have additional liability coverage requirements, depending on the type of vehicle and how it’s used.

Using Personal Vehicle for Work

If you use your personal vehicle for work-specific activities, your personal auto policy won't cover you in the case of an accident.

Credit: youtube.com, What to consider when employees using their personal vehicle for work

Many small business owners purchase hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA) to cover accidents in personal, leased, and rented vehicles used for work purposes.

This type of liability policy helps pay for claims or lawsuits against your business if you or an employee gets into an accident while driving a personal car for a work errand.

Your personal auto insurance policy covers you while driving to and from work, but not while making deliveries, picking up supplies, and other work-specific uses.

A business auto policy would cover you and your personal vehicle in case you're at fault for an accident during a work-related errand.

Cost

The cost of commercial auto insurance in Illinois can vary depending on several factors, with an average cost of around $150 per month.

Businesses can expect to pay 5% to 10% more for a commercial vehicle policy compared to personal auto insurance, according to averages found online.

To give you a better idea, here are some factors that can affect the cost of commercial auto insurance in Illinois:

  • Number of vehicles
  • Vehicle type and value
  • Level of risk involved
  • Location, such as Chicago
  • Claims history
  • Employee driving records
  • Policy deductible and limits

The average cost of commercial auto insurance is around $128 per month, with 37% of Insureon small business customers paying less than $100 per month for their policies.

Credit: youtube.com, How Much Does Commercial Auto Insurance Cost, and Why?

Insurance companies consider factors like vehicle year, make, and model, as well as the location of the vehicle's home base, when determining premiums.

Commercial auto insurance costs can range from $50 to $200 per month, depending on the factors mentioned above.

If you drive a vehicle used to transport people or trucks that carry heavy loads, you may be required to have more coverage, so be sure to check with your agent.

It's worth noting that maintaining a clean driving record, implementing safety programs, and comparing quotes from multiple insurers can help reduce costs.

Top Insurance Companies

Commercial auto insurance in Illinois requires research to find the best rates. You should shop around for the cheapest rates.

Progressive is the top insurance carrier for commercial auto policies, insuring more commercial vehicles than any other company. You can get a Progressive quote by visiting its website or calling the toll-free number.

In Illinois, commercial auto insurance companies are licensed by the state, so make sure to check their credentials before purchasing a policy.

Top Companies

Credit: youtube.com, 8 Best Car Insurance Companies of 2024

Commercial auto insurance companies are licensed by each state, so it's essential to shop around for the best rates. Several national carriers offer insurance in most states.

Progressive is the top insurance carrier for commercial auto policies, insuring more commercial vehicles than any other company. You can get a Progressive quote by visiting its website or calling the toll-free number.

Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual offers a unique approach to commercial auto insurance by working with a network of independent agents and brokers. This allows for a local agent to be assigned to your policy, providing a personal touch.

Having a local agent is especially helpful for answering any questions you may have, and Liberty Mutual's website even has an agent locator tool to make it easy to find one nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements for commercial insurance in Illinois?

In Illinois, commercial auto insurance policies must have a minimum liability limit of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $20,000 for property damage. Meet these requirements to ensure compliance with state law and protect your business.

Who has the best commercial vehicle insurance?

For commercial vehicle insurance, Progressive is considered the best overall option, offering a comprehensive coverage plan for various business needs. However, other providers like NEXT Insurance and biBERK may be more suitable for specific business types, such as small businesses or high-risk drivers.

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.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.