Whether you are just starting out using your own pick-up or you have a fleet of trucks and equipment, your landscaping business is worth protecting. By its very nature, landscaping businesses spend most of the workday on the road. Therefore, having proper commercial auto insurance is essential in order to protect your business and yourself against a potentially devastating accident.
Commercial Auto Insurance Versus Personal Insurance
When starting out, many business owners mistakenly believe that their personal insurance policy will cover their vehicle in the event of an accident. However, no matter how small your business may be, if an accident happens while conducting company business, most personal insurance policies will not provide coverage.
Keep in mind that this is true for both business owners and employees. While personal insurance will protect your employees on the way to the office, coverage ends as soon as a co-worker sits in the vehicle, company tools get loaded in, or the vehicle heads towards the first client’s house.
Essential Elements of Commercial Auto Insurance
In order to protect other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, your commercial auto insurance policy will include both Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability coverages. This provides the essential coverage to pay for resulting medical bills or repair costs if you or an employee causes an accident.
To protect your driver and property, your policy will include Personal Injury Protection / Medical Coverage and the optional coverages of Collision Coverage and Comprehensive Coverage. Just as it sounds, Personal Injury Protection covers the medical bills associated with any injuries sustained by you or your employees during an accident. Collision Coverage protects your property in the event of an at-fault accident, and Comprehensive Coverage covers non-collision accidents such as fire, theft, vandalism, and storms. The decision to purchase Collision and Comprehensive Coverage can depend on the age and value of the vehicle.
Unfortunately, some people choose to drive with no or minimal insurance coverage, leaving them unable to pay for the medical bills or property damage they have caused. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage gives you the peace of mind in knowing that the losses will not come out of your pocket.
Specifically relevant to commercial auto policies, Employer Non-Owned Car Liability Coverage protects your employees if they are using their own vehicle to conduct company business on your behalf.
Perfectly Suited Small Business Insurance Coverage
By working with a BenefitSource insurance professional, you can be sure that your small business insurance policy covers all your needs, including commercial auto insurance, general liability insurance, and workers compensation insurance. We specialize in finding the right coverage to fit your needs and your budget. Call us directly at (877) 215-5431 or email us to set up an appointment to discuss your business insurance needs.
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