How your business operates can determine the amount of liability it faces. One of the most important types of business insurance to have is commercial auto insurance if you or your employees operate a vehicle as a part of the day to day operations of your business.
However, who owns the vehicle, how often it is used for business and when it is being used for personal needs can all impact the type of auto insurance you need, as well as your legal responsibility for accidents.
Are Employees Using Company Vehicles for Personal Needs?
One situation to consider is when an employee uses a company vehicle for their personal needs. They may use the company car on the weekends, for example. As long as your business insurance policy provides for auto coverage for that vehicle, it does not matter when the employee is using it. However, you will need to ensure the proper declarations are made on the policy to note that the vehicle is operated for non-business needs.
Are Your Employees Using Their Own Cars for Business Needs?
In some cases, you may not provide a vehicle to your employees but they still drive on company time. Your business may be liable for property damage and bodily injuries that occur due to an accident if the employee was at fault for it and he or she was operating the vehicle during business hours or for business purposes. The risks here may be more extensive than you realize. For example, if the manager was stopping to pick up supplies using his or car, you could be responsible. In short, even side trips and situations where the individual is not always using his or her vehicle for business purposes can put your company at risk.
In these situations, it is best to work closely with your insurance agent to customize a policy that covers these risks. It is the only way to protect yourself from such liability risks. Commercial auto insurance policies can be customized to meet very specific areas of concerns. Do not assume your business is safe if your employees are using their own cars, even if they have comprehensive auto insurance policies of their own.
Protect your company’s vehicles and staff. Call Nauertz Insurance Agency at 909-931-5799 for more information on commercial auto insurance.