Commercial auto insurance quotes: What you need to know

How to get the best commercial auto insurance quotes online

There’s no single “right” way to get commercial auto insurance quotes.

You can go directly to the insurance company to get a quote. Insurance.com has a list of the top 10 commercial auto insurers, and many, such as Progressive, The Hartford and Next Insurance, offer quotes online. 

You also can call to get a quote over the phone. 

Comparison websites, such as Insurance.com, can also do a lot of the work for you. Look for platforms that specialize in small business insurance. Be ready to answer questions about your vehicles, how you use them, and who will be driving them. The better the details, the more accurate your quote will be.

But remember that the lowest price isn't always the best value. Make sure the policy covers what your business needs. What works for a local florist with one van may not work for a contractor with a crew and a few trucks. 

If you’re unsure about anything, it may be worth getting advice from a pro.

“Consulting with a knowledgeable insurance agent can help tailor coverage to the business’s unique needs and identify any potential gaps,” says Kristin Thelen, director of account management at small business insurance broker Insureon.

How to compare commercial auto insurance quotes

It’s one thing to get quotes. It’s another thing to compare them. The process can feel overwhelming. Rates can be all over the place, depending on your industry, how you use your vehicles and dozens of other factors. 

We recommend this simple approach to comparing commercial auto policies:

1. Compare coverage types, limits and deductibles

First, make sure you're comparing apples to apples. Look at the specific coverage types included in each quote: liability, collision, comprehensive and uninsured motorist protection. 

As far as limits, each state sets a minimum coverage requirement. Common limits are 25/50/25, meaning $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per incident and $25,000 for property damage per incident. You need at least your state’s minimum coverage. However, most insurance experts say the minimum isn’t often enough. Small businesses need enough coverage to protect their businesses financially should they find themselves at fault in an accident.

Pay close attention to deductibles, too — that's what comes out of your pocket before insurance starts paying. A higher deductible usually means a lower premium, but it also means paying more out of pocket when there’s a claim.

2. Review what’s covered

Check for exclusions and conditions that might leave you exposed. For instance, if your team occasionally uses their personal cars for work, you may need hired and non-owned auto coverage (HNOA), which covers vehicles the business doesn’t own.

“Always review your existing coverage and understand the differences between your personal liability auto insurance, commercial auto insurance, and hired and non-owned auto insurance. Most businesses can add hired and non-owned auto coverage to their general liability insurance policy, and often, bundling these can help lower your rates,” Thelen says.

3. Evaluate the insurance company

Price and coverage matter, but so does the company behind your policy. Check customer reviews, claims satisfaction scores and how easy it is to reach an actual person when you call with questions. 

4. Ask questions before you commit

If something doesn’t make sense, ask the insurers you’re talking to about it. Find out exactly what’s covered, what isn’t, how long claims typically take and what happens if your business changes. 

This is also your chance to gauge the insurer’s responsiveness. Are they taking the time to explain things clearly? Do they seem interested in understanding your business? These early interactions often predict how they'll handle your claims later on.

What is commercial auto insurance and who needs it?

Commercial auto insurance protects vehicles you use for business — anything beyond commuting or personal errands. This means your work truck, delivery van or that sedan you drive to client meetings. But more importantly, it also covers damage to others — medical costs, legal expenses, and often the expensive equipment you keep in your vehicle.

A commercial auto insurance policy typically covers:

• Liability. When one of your drivers causes an accident, this covers damage to other people's property and their injuries. It also pays for your legal defense if someone sues your business.
• Property damage. This handles repairs or replacement when your business vehicles are damaged in crashes, stolen, vandalized or hit by severe weather.
• Personal injury. If you or your employees are hurt in an accident while driving for work, this helps with medical expenses.
• Uninsured and underinsured motorists. This protects your business when the other driver causes an accident but doesn't have insurance (or enough of it) to pay for your damages.

So, who needs business vehicle insurance? If you own company vehicles, regularly use your personal car for work errands or have employees who drive as part of their job, commercial auto insurance is essential.

“Commercial auto insurance is required in situations where a vehicle is titled in the business name and used primarily for business purposes,” Thelen says. 

Factors that affect commercial auto insurance quotes

Insurance companies base commercial auto premiums on specific risk factors tied to your business. 

“Several factors contribute to the cost of insurance,” Thelen says. 

One of the first things insurers look at is your team’s driving history. Clean driving records mean you’ll likely pay less, while past accidents, traffic violations or DUIs can increase your rate.

How you use your vehicles also matters. Driving to the occasional client meeting isn’t the same as using a van to deliver equipment daily. Frequent, high-mileage use increases risk and your premiums.

Fleet size and vehicle type also play a role. A single compact car will cost less to insure than a fleet of heavy-duty trucks with specialized modifications. 

The distance your vehicles travel, known as the driving radius, can also impact your car insurance bill. For example, businesses that cover longer distances tend to pay higher premiums because more time on the road means more exposure to potential accidents.

Finally, your policy choices have a direct effect on price. Higher coverage limits offer more protection, but they’ll increase your premium. Add-ons like HNOA, rental reimbursement or roadside assistance can also raise costs.

How much does commercial auto insurance cost?

Nearly 40% of insurance broker Insureon’s small business customers pay less than $100 monthly for commercial auto insurance. That said, costs vary widely based on your industry, location, vehicle types, coverage needs and other factors.

Every industry is unique, but here are typical monthly costs from Insureon to give you a general idea of what to expect.