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For business owners and fleets in Pennsylvania, commercial auto insurance is a must-have. It provides financial protection in case of accidents, theft, or other incidents involving company vehicles.
Pennsylvania law requires businesses to have commercial auto insurance if they have one or more vehicles used for business purposes. This includes vehicles owned, leased, or hired by the business.
Failing to have commercial auto insurance can result in fines, penalties, and even the suspension of your business's operating authority. This is a risk no business owner wants to take.
In Pennsylvania, commercial auto insurance policies typically cover damages to others, damages to your vehicle, and other expenses related to accidents.
Understanding Commercial Auto Insurance
Commercial auto insurance is a must-have for business owners who use vehicles for work-related activities. It provides financial protection against accidents, theft, and other damages.
In Pennsylvania, commercial auto insurance is mandatory for businesses that operate vehicles. This means that if you're driving a company car for work, you need to have commercial auto insurance to stay on the road.
The minimum liability limits for commercial auto insurance in Pennsylvania are $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury. This is the minimum coverage required by law.
Businesses that use vehicles for deliveries, sales, or other work-related activities need commercial auto insurance to protect their assets and employees. This type of insurance also covers damage to the vehicle itself.
Pennsylvania law requires commercial auto insurance to have a minimum of $5,000 in property damage coverage. This ensures that you can repair or replace your vehicle if it's damaged in an accident.
As a business owner, it's essential to choose the right coverage limits for your commercial auto insurance policy. This will depend on the number of vehicles you have, the value of your assets, and the level of risk you're willing to take on.
Types of Vehicles and Coverage
Commercial auto insurance in Pennsylvania covers a wide range of vehicles used for business purposes. This includes company cars, cargo vans, limos, taxis, buses, SUVs, pickup trucks, and more.
In Pennsylvania, all vehicles are required to have a minimum amount of auto liability insurance coverage, which includes bodily injury liability, property damage liability, and personal injury protection (PIP). The state's insurance requirements are $15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, $5,000 per accident for property damage liability, and $5,000 for personal injury protection (PIP).
Commercial auto policies can be tailored to fit the specific needs of your business, taking into account the types of vehicles you own, how they're used, and the risks associated with them. For example, if you own a fleet of semi-trucks, you may need additional liability coverage requirements.
Vehicle Coverage Options
Commercial auto insurance offers various coverage options to safeguard your business against potential risks on the road. Property damage liability handles repairs when your vehicles damage others' property, a common occurrence in urban areas like downtown Pittsburgh.
Bodily injury liability protects your business when accidents cause injuries to others, which can result in substantial medical costs. Medical expenses can quickly exceed state minimums, making higher coverage limits essential for businesses.
Collision coverage repairs your vehicles after accidents, regardless of fault, which is crucial in Pennsylvania's heavy traffic and varied weather conditions. This coverage keeps your vehicles running and your business moving forward after accidents.
Comprehensive coverage protects against theft, vandalism, and weather damage, which can occur even when your vehicles are parked in a secure location. This coverage shields your business against unexpected events like storm damage or falling trees.
Here are some additional vehicle coverage options to consider:
Types of Vehicles
Commercial auto insurance covers a wide range of vehicles used for business purposes. This includes company cars, cargo vans, limos, taxis, buses, SUVs, and pickup trucks.
Commercial auto policies also cover personal cars used for business, as well as SUVs, light duty trucks, buses, limousines, taxicabs, vans, and other delivery vehicles used solely for business purposes.
The type of vehicle being used is just one factor that insurance companies review when assessing the amount of coverage a business needs. Other factors include how the vehicle is used, how often, and how many miles it travels each year.
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Here's a list of some common vehicles covered by commercial auto insurance:
- Company cars
- Cargo Vans
- Limos
- Taxis
- Buses
- SUVs
- Pickup trucks
- Personal cars used for business
- Light duty trucks
- Vans
- Delivery vehicles
Keep in mind that commercial truck insurance is a separate section, and if you're looking for coverage on large trucks and heavy equipment, you should refer to that section instead.
Vehicle Work?
If you own a semi-truck or a utility and cargo trailer, you'll need to check your USDOT number or docket number with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to see if your business needs to meet additional liability coverage requirements.
Semi-trucks, utility and cargo trailers, and other vehicles with a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation serial number will have additional liability coverage requirements, depending on the type of vehicle and how it's used.
The requirements for these vehicles are determined by the type of vehicle and how it's used, so it's essential to check the specifics of your vehicle's requirements.
You can see if your business needs to meet these additional requirements by checking your USDOT number or docket number with the FMCSA.
These additional requirements are in place to ensure that businesses operating larger vehicles have adequate insurance coverage in case of an accident.
Requirements and Costs
In Pennsylvania, commercial auto insurance is required by law, and the minimum requirements include bodily injury liability of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident, plus $5,000 in property damage coverage.
The cost of commercial auto insurance in Pennsylvania can vary widely, ranging from $1,200 to $4,000 annually per vehicle, depending on factors such as vehicle type, usage, location, and coverage limits.
To give you a better idea of the costs involved, the average monthly cost of commercial auto insurance in Pennsylvania is around $168, or $2,012 annually.
Here are the key factors that can affect your commercial auto insurance costs:
- Number of vehicles
- Type of business vehicle and value
- Level of risk involved
- Claims history
- Employee driving records
- Policy deductible and limits
- Location
Keep in mind that these minimum requirements are just a starting point, and most businesses need higher limits for proper protection.
Philadelphia and Regional Considerations
Philadelphia is a city with narrow streets and dense traffic, creating frequent stop-and-go conditions that increase the risk of accidents.
Operating conditions in Pennsylvania's diverse regions vary dramatically, with businesses in the Lehigh Valley facing different risks than those in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.
The Mountain roads through the Poconos demand different protection than city streets in Philadelphia. Our policies account for these regional factors.
Businesses operating along I-76 corridor between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh present unique challenges, including heavy truck traffic, frequent construction, and changing weather patterns that increase risk.
Urban operations in Pennsylvania's cities require specialized consideration, with Philadelphia's narrow streets and dense traffic creating frequent stop-and-go conditions.
Pittsburgh's hills and bridges present unique challenges for vehicles, with our coverage accounting for these urban risk factors while keeping premiums competitive.
Some of the areas that require customized business insurance in PA include Allentown, Altoona, Coatesville, Coolbaugh, East Lampeter, East Stroudsburg, Erie, Manheim, Millcreek, Munhall, Nether Providence, Pocono, Skippack, Susquehanna, Swatara, Towamencin, Whitemarsh, and Williamsport.
Insurance Options and Providers
Insureon offers an easy online application process to compare insurance rates from top-rated U.S. carriers and car insurance companies.
You can get a certificate of insurance in less than 24 hours after finding the right type of coverage for your small business.
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The Allen Thomas Group has been offering the best protection for a wide variety of commercial vehicles for 20+ years.
Their commercial vehicle insurance policies shield your business from accidents, injuries, and other road risks that could derail your success.
With over 20 years of business insurance experience, The Allen Thomas Group can help you navigate the complex process of finding the right commercial auto insurance.
Their insurance agents live and work in Pennsylvania, understanding local risks and opportunities, and can compare commercial car insurance coverage options from multiple carriers to find you the best value.
You can get a commercial vehicle insurance quote now through The Allen Thomas Group.
Their dedicated agents will monitor your coverage, explore your changing business insurance needs, and suggest updates as your business grows.
The Allen Thomas Group delivers experience, independence, and personal service to keep your business moving forward.
Their deep understanding of Pennsylvania business needs shapes every policy they write.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is commercial auto insurance in PA?
In Pennsylvania, commercial auto insurance typically costs around $2,012 per year, with monthly premiums averaging $168. Your specific cost will depend on factors like the number of vehicles and type of business vehicle you own.
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 is a result of the more extensive coverage provided.
Sources
- https://www.gilbertsrisksolutions.com/commercial/pa-commercial-auto-insurance/
- https://www.mackleyinsurance.com/commercial/commercial-auto-insurance/
- https://www.insureon.com/small-business-insurance/commercial-auto/pennsylvania
- https://allenthomasgroup.com/commercial-auto-insurance/pennsylvania/
- https://e-premier.com/business-insurance/commercial-auto-insurance
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