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, but the methods below are the most common and can help you compare prices and coverage options. Before you start, be sure to gather basic information about your drivers, vehicles, and how each vehicle is used, because providing accurate details helps you receive accurate quotes. 

Contact the insurance company 

You can go directly to an insurance company to get a quote. It’s smart to start with an insurer you already have coverage with, such as your business owner’s policy (BOP). Or use our list of top 10 commercial auto insurers as a starting point. You’ll find that some insurers offer quotes online, but others require you to call. 

Contacting a commercial auto insurance company directly often gives you the most accurate rate quote because it uses its own systems to calculate the premium. But using this method, you’ll have to contact multiple commercial auto insurance providers to compare quotes, so you’ll need to set aside a good amount of time. 

Use a comparison website 

Comparison websites, such as Insurance.com, can also do a lot of the work for you, so you can quickly view rates from multiple insurers. Look for platforms that specialize in small business insurance, and be ready to answer questions about your vehicles, drivers, annual mileage, and business use.  

Check the details of each quote to make sure you’re comparing identical policies to truly see who is offering the lowest price. Also, comparison sites help you see different companies’ prices quickly, but may not have pricing from every insurer. If one is missing that you’re interested in, you should contact that insurer directly. 

Work with an independent agent or broker 

If you want guidance on buying a policy and assistance gathering quotes, an independent agent or broker can be a good choice. They can help you understand coverage options, identify gaps, and collect quotes from multiple commercial auto insurance providers. 

“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. 

What information is needed to get a commercial auto insurance quote? 

To get an accurate commercial auto insurance quote, you’ll need to have details handy about your business, drivers, and vehicles. Auto insurers will use this information to determine risk, verify your eligibility, and calculate accurate quotes. 

Have these details ready to share on the quote form or when speaking to an agent: 

• Business information. Legal business name, address, industry, years in operation and basic description of what your company does. 
• Driver information. Names, driver’s license numbers, how long licensed, basic driving history. 
• Vehicle information. Year, make, model, vehicle identification number (VIN), annual mileage estimate, and usual driving radius. It’s also helpful to have a list of any attached equipment and the vehicle’s safety features. 
• Claims history. Accidents, claims or insurance losses in the past three to five years. 

How to compare commercial auto insurance quotes: a checklist 

Getting quotes is easy, but figuring out which one is the best can be tricky. Prices vary based on how insurers weigh risk factors, such as your industry, annual mileage, vehicles, and drivers. We recommend using this simple checklist to guide you on what to look for when comparing commercial auto insurance quotes.  

1. Compare coverage types, limits and deductibles 

Start by making sure you’re comparing policies that are apples-to-apples. Look at the specific coverage types included in each quote, such as commercial auto liability, collision, comprehensive and uninsured motorist protection.  Also, see if insurers included optional coverage in their quotes, like roadside assistance or rental reimbursement. You want the coverage listed on each quote to be exactly the same so you can compare prices accurately. 

Next, pay close attention to liability limits. Every state sets a minimum coverage requirement, but these are typically low limits that aren’t enough to protect your business from the high cost of medical bills, property damage or lawsuits after an accident. It’s recommended to choose higher liability insurance limits that can better protect your business financially. Once you decide on the appropriate limits for your business, make sure to select them for each rate quote.  

Review deductibles, too — that's what comes out of your pocket before insurance starts paying a collision or comprehensive claim. A higher deductible can lower your premium, but it also increases your financial responsibility when there’s a claim. Pick the same deductibles for each quote. 

2. Review what’s covered 

Check for exclusions and conditions that might leave your business exposed — and if there is coverage to fill those gaps. For example, if your employees sometimes use personal cars for work errands, you may need hired and non-owned auto coverage (HNOA). This is a common add-on coverage that 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 the company’s reliability is also important. Look at customer reviews, claims satisfaction scores, financial strength ratings, and how easy it is to reach a real person when you need help. Also, a company with strong claims handling can make a big difference when your business is dealing with the aftermath of an accident. 

You can also check whether the insurance company offers features to improve your company’s safety or potentially lower your rates over time, like safety tools, risk-management resources, or telematics programs.  

4. Ask questions before you commit 

If anything in the quote is unclear or doesn’t make sense, ask. Find out exactly what’s covered, what isn’t, and how long claims typically take. Ask what happens if your business changes, such as you need to add vehicles, new drivers, or you expand your operations. 

This is also your chance to gauge the insurer’s responsiveness. Are they explaining things clearly? Do they understand your business? Are they helpful in identifying coverage gaps? These early interactions often predict how they'll handle your customer service and claims down the road.  

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. That's why getting multiple commercial vehicle insurance quotes is so important.  

You won’t know what commercial auto insurance will cost for your specific needs until you get quotes. 

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

While your industry influences your commercial auto insurance premium, the type of vehicle, number of vehicles and their value typically have a bigger impact.  

Factors that affect commercial auto insurance quotes 

There are various risk factors that insurers consider when calculating your commercial auto insurance quote. Each insurance company can weigh the factors differently, which is why commercial auto premiums vary from one company to the next. 

Common factors that influence your cost of commercial auto insurance include: 

• Employee driving records: Insurers review each driver’s motor vehicle report. Clean driving records mean you’ll likely pay less, while past accidents, traffic violations or DUIs signal a higher risk and can increase your rate. 
• Vehicle usage: How your vehicle is used is a major factor. Occasional client visits carry far less risk than daily deliveries, equipment transport or high-mileage service routes. More time on the road increases risk and your premium. 
• The vehicles themselves: Vehicle types, weight, and fleet size also affect cost. A single compact car is less of a risk, so it will cost less to insure than a fleet of heavy-duty trucks. 
• Driving radius: Insurers consider how far your vehicles travel. Businesses that travel longer distances tend to pay higher premiums because more time on the road increases exposure to potential accidents. 
• Coverage options: Your policy choices directly affect your price. Higher coverage limits offer more protection but cost more. Add-ons like HNOA, rental reimbursement or roadside assistance will also raise costs. 
• Deductibles: Comprehensive and collision coverage come with a deductible, typically $250 to $2,500. Selecting a higher deductible lowers your rate quote but raises your out-of-pocket costs if you file a claim. 

What is commercial auto insurance and who must buy it? 

Commercial auto insurance covers damages to property and injuries to others that your work vehicle may cause. This can include medical bills, repair costs, and legal expenses. A robust commercial auto policy will also include coverage for your vehicle if damaged or stolen.  

Common commercial auto coverage types 

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. Pays up to your limits, so higher limits give better protection. 
• Collision and comprehensive coverage. These coverage types are typically sold together and pay for repairs or replacement when your business vehicles are damaged in crashes, stolen, vandalized or hit by severe weather. Comes with deductibles, and the maximum payout is normally the value of your vehicle. 
• Personal injury protection or medical payments. If you or your employees are hurt in an accident while driving for work, these coverage types help with medical expenses. 
• Uninsured motorists. Pays medical expenses if a driver who is without insurance crashes into your vehicle, injuring your driver and passengers. 

Who needs commercial auto 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 not only needed but essential to ward off financial disaster. 

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

Those who may need commercial auto insurance include: 

• Delivery companies (those transporting goods or people) 
• Food services (caterers, food trucks, or food delivery) 
• Service industries (real estate agents and sales professionals) 
• Tradespeople (such as landscapers, electricians, contractors, construction companies) 
• Transportation services (limousines, taxis, buses and shuttles) 
• Non-profit organizations (using vans or cars to transport volunteers, employees, or clients)