- Our expert take
- Auto-Owners commercial auto insurance at a glance
- How much does Auto-Owners commercial auto insurance cost?
- How does Auto-Owners determine commercial auto insurance rates?
- Does Auto-Owners offer any commercial auto discounts for business owners?
- What does Auto-Owners commercial auto insurance cover?
- What is included in Auto-Owners' commercial auto insurance?
- Does Auto-Owners offer optional or industry-specific coverage options?
- What types of vehicles does Auto-Owners insure?
- How does Auto-Owners compare to competitors?
- Compare commercial auto insurance companies
- How can I buy Auto-Owners commercial vehicle insurance?
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Our expert take
The Auto-Owners Group is an excellent choice for small business owners, solopreneurs and independent contractors. It has several coverage options, including specialty products like gap coverage, and business owners can take advantage of the insurer’s discount programs to reduce their premiums. Discounts for paying your bill in full, monitoring your fleet, and professional group affiliation are just some options.
Auto-Owners Group isn't available in all states and doesn't offer online quotes, so those who prefer a digital insurance experience may be frustrated by the company's offerings.
- Strong third-party ratings
- Multiple discount programs
- Variety of add-on coverages
- Not available in all states
- No online quotes
Auto-Owners commercial auto insurance at a glance
| Review category | Details |
|---|---|
| AM Best rating | A+ |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 0.35 |
| Available in | 26 states |
| Best for | Small business owners who are solopreneurs or independent contractors |
| Not ideal for | Small business owners who prefer a digital experience |
How much does Auto-Owners commercial auto insurance cost?
Auto-Owners doesn’t publish average costs for commercial auto insurance, making it difficult to compare to other companies’ premiums. According to Insureon, a small-business broker, the average commercial auto cost is $147 per month, or $1,762 per year.
To find out how much Auto-Owners' commercial auto insurance would cost for your business, request a personalized quote. Checking prices from Auto-Owners and other insurance companies will help you determine who offers the most affordable commercial auto insurance for your specific business situation.
How does Auto-Owners determine commercial auto insurance rates?
Auto-Owners determines your commercial car insurance rates after assessing your business’s risk profile. Main factors that influence cost include:
- Number, type and age of vehicles
- Vehicle use
- Driving history
- Claims history
- Industry
- Location
- Coverage types, limits and deductibles
Does Auto-Owners offer any commercial auto discounts for business owners?
Yes, Auto-Owners offers a range of discounts that may lower your commercial auto premium.
- Policy bundling discount: You can get a discount for bundling commercial auto insurance with another policy, including life insurance.
- Pay-in-full discount: Auto-Owners will give you a discount if you pay your annual premium upfront.
- Fleet-monitoring discount: If you install telematics tracking devices in your fleet vehicles, you can earn a discount.
- Favorable loss history discount: You can get a reduced premium if your business has no recent claims.
- Farm use seasonal discount: Auto-Owners will provide a discount on commercial car insurance for certain farm vehicles that are only used seasonally.
- Group discount: If your business is a member of certain groups or organizations, like chambers of commerce, credit unions and trade associations, this discount applies
Talk to an Auto-Owners agent about what discounts you may be eligible for.
What does Auto-Owners commercial auto insurance cover?
What is covered by Auto-Owners' commercial auto insurance policy depends on what coverage you pick to be a part of it. The most basic policy will include liability insurance and, if your state requires it, uninsured/underinsured motorist, personal injury protection (PIP), or medical payments (MedPay). A full coverage policy will also include collision and comprehensive, so your vehicle has protection.
Here’s a look at what a robust full coverage policy would have included, and what optional coverage could still be added to it with Auto-Owners.
| Coverage type | Good to know |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | Required by states. Covers injuries you cause to others; required everywhere; limits vary by state. |
| Property damage liability | Required by states. Covers property damage you cause to others' property; usually optional. |
| Collision | Optional. If you have a lease or loan on a vehicle, the lender may mandate you have it. Covers damage or loss from business-use accidents. |
| Comprehensive | Optional. If you have a lease or loan on a vehicle, the lender may mandate you have it. Covers damage or loss from weather, theft, fire and more. |
| UM/UIM | Requirements vary by state. Covers damage or loss from accidents caused by uninsured and underinsured drivers. |
| PIP or MedPay | Availability and requirements vary by state. Covers medical expenses and related costs for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of fault. |
| Hired and non-owned auto | Optional. Coverage for rented or employee-owned vehicles used for business. |
| Roadside assistance | Optional. Covers towing, battery jumps, flat tires and lockouts. |
| Rental reimbursement | Optional. Covers rental vehicle while business vehicle is out of service for an approved claim. |
| Trailer/cargo | Requirements vary by state. Covers trailers and cargo you use for business, but don’t own. |
| Any auto | Availability varies by state. Covers both hired and nonowned vehicles, such as an employee’s personal car used for business. |
What is included in Auto-Owners' commercial auto insurance?
Standard coverages offered through Auto-Owners' commercial auto insurance may include:
- Liability: Pays for injuries to others and damage to other cars or property when you or your driver is at fault for an auto accident. Limits can be split, such as $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 per accident for property damage. A combined commercial auto insurance liability limit is typically used for medium- or large-sized vehicles that require higher limits, such as $300,000 for all bodily injuries and property damage.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM): Pay for injuries associated with an accident where the at-fault driver either has no insurance or lacks enough coverage to pay for your losses entirely. Depending on the state, it may include uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD), which pays for damage to your vehicle.
- Personal injury protection (PIP): Pays for accident-related medical expenses for you or your passengers, as well as lost wages and services such as childcare that you’re unable to do because of injuries.
- Medical payments (MedPay): Pays for injuries your driver and passengers incur in an auto accident, up to your policy limits.
- Collision: Pays to repair or replace your vehicle if it hits another object, overturns, rolls or is in a collision with another car, regardless of fault. Collision insurance comes with a deductible.
- Comprehensive: Pays to repair or replace the vehicle if it’s damaged by certain events listed on your policy, such as theft, vandalism, fire, or severe weather. Comprehensive insurance comes with a deductible.
Does Auto-Owners offer optional or industry-specific coverage options?
Optional commercial auto insurance coverage types offered by Auto-Owners include:
- Towing and roadside assistance: Covers towing, flat tires, lockouts and battery.
- Hired auto: Extend coverage to employee-owned or rented vehicles when used for business purposes.
- Non-owned autos: Extends liability coverage to employee-owned vehicles used for business reasons.
- Rental reimbursement: Pays for a rental car while your business vehicle is in the shop for claim-related repairs.
- Any auto: Covers hired and nonowned vehicles, such as an employee’s personal car used for work.
Auto-Owners also offers endorsements for more customized protection. You can add additional expenses coverage, diminished value coverage, and gap insurance.
What types of vehicles does Auto-Owners insure?
Commercial auto insurance with Auto-Owners protects a broad range of vehicles, including:
- Business autos: Such as cars, light trucks, SUVs and vans
- Trucks: Auto-Owners covers a variety of trucks, from box trucks to tow trucks and food trucks
- Trailers: This includes Pickup truck utility trailers, dump trailers and dry freight trailers
How does Auto-Owners compare to competitors?
Since Auto-Owners doesn't publish its pricing, it's not possible to compare its rates with competitors. It has a lower level of complaints than some of its competitors.
Use Insurance.com’s commercial auto comparison tool to gain more insight into how Auto-Owners compares with top competitors.
How can I buy Auto-Owners commercial vehicle insurance?
You can purchase an Auto-Owners policy through an independent agent. To find a local agent, visit the company's website.
You should have these items handy when buying an Auto-Owners policy:
- Names, license numbers and driving record information (tickets or accidents) for all the workers who will operate business vehicles
- Business vehicle details, including make, model, year and VIN
- Your business location and intended use of each vehicle
- Estimated annual mileage for each vehicle
- Desired coverage types, policy limits and deductible amounts
Expert tips: How can I save money on Auto-Owners commercial auto insurance?
Commercial auto coverage is essential for small business owners. To save on commercial auto insurance, consider these strategies:
- Compare rates. Insurers — including Auto-Owners — assess risk differently. Request quotes from at least three companies to ensure you’re paying a competitive price for the coverage and limits your business needs.
- Bundle policies. If you already carry BOP or other commercial coverage with Auto-Owners, ask about bundling your auto policy to unlock savings.
- Check for discounts. Check with Auto-Owners agents about available discounts or savings programs you may be eligible for.
- Review your coverage choices. Reevaluate your Auto-Owners policy each year. Review your limits, deductibles and optional add-ons to confirm they align with your actual risks. If it fits your situation, raising your deductible often lowers costs.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How do I file a commercial auto claim with Auto-Owners?
To file an Auto-Owners claim, contact your independent agent or call (888) 252.4626.
Can I bundle my commercial auto insurance with other policies from Auto-Owners?
Auto-Owners policyholders can bundle commercial auto insurance with other Auto-Owners business insurance, like a business owner's policy (BOP) or general liability. Auto-Owners provides a discount when you bundle multiple business insurance policies or combine business policies with personal policies.
Does Auto-Owners offer fleet insurance?
Yes, Auto-Owners offers not only fleet insurance, but a fleet monitoring discount to protect companies that have multiple vehicles. Talk to an agent to learn more about Auto-Owners' commercial auto fleet program.
