If your business relies on vehicles, you may be familiar with commercial auto insurance. This type of insurance not only can help your business stay legally compliant, but it may also prevent you from substantial financial losses.
Whether you’re just starting a small business or have been running one for years, knowing how to get a commercial auto insurance quote may be an important part of maintaining your operations. This brief commercial insurance checklist may help you understand what documents to have ready for your commercial auto insurance quote and how Infinity Insurance Agency, Inc. (IIA) can assist you through the process.
Why documentation matters for commercial auto insurance quotes
Similar to personal auto insurance, commercial auto insurance quotes may depend on a variety of factors. Components like how many vehicles your company operates, the number of employed drivers you have, and how far you drive daily may affect your premium. That’s why the quoting process may require certain documentation from you to help you receive an accurate estimate.
Knowing what information and documents you may need beforehand can help your agent create a quote that better matches your needs and budget.
Key documents and information you may need
Trying to assess what info you may need for an insurance quote? Here is a brief checklist that may be helpful for your commercial auto insurance estimate:
Business information
- Legal business name: You may want to provide your business name and if it’s an LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship.
- Type of business you operate: Including what kind of company you operate, like delivery, construction, or landscaping business, may help you get a more accurate quote. Adding how many years you’ve been in business may also be beneficial to your insurer.
- Existing insurance: If you have had a business owner policy or general liability insurance for your operations, showing proof of prior coverage may qualify you for discounts.
Driver information
- Employee names: You may want to include the date of birth, license numbers, and full names of all your employees who drive work-related vehicles.
- Driving history: It may also be crucial to provide your insurer with you and your employees’ driving history, including accidents, violations, and license suspensions.
- Valid licenses: You may need to show you and your employees’ driver’s licenses to get an accurate quote. Especially if you or your drivers have commercial driver’s licenses, it may be important to present those licenses to your insurer since certain vehicles or occupations may require them.
Driving history and records can impact your commercial auto insurance premium. Clean records by you and your employees may help keep your rates low.
Vehicle information
Providing correct vehicle info to your insurer may be a crucial step in your quoting process. This information typically includes:
- Year, make, and model of each vehicle
- VINs (Vehicle identification numbers)
- Current odometer readings and radius of your operations
- Vehicle value (with and without attached equipment)
Depending on the state you live in, your insurer may request additional information. If you have documentation questions, it can be a good idea to discuss those with your insurance agent.
Insurance history
- Current or past policies: If you’ve had commercial auto insurance before, your insurer may ask if you’d had a prior policy.
- Lapse in coverage: If you’ve had an insurance gap in the past, you may need to explain why you experienced a lapse in coverage.
- Claims history: If your commercial vehicles were involved in prior accidents, you may need to show your past claims.
Providing detailed insurance history may help you find rates that better match your budget.
How IIA may help your small businesses
Finding commercial auto insurance that fits your business needs can be daunting. But by working with IIA, our experienced agents can help you tailor a policy that works for your company. Whether you’ve been operating your commercial vehicles for years or just getting your business started, our team can assist you through the quoting process.
IIA partners with a wide range of commercial auto carriers, allowing you to compare rates to find the best price for you. Our agents can also walk you through your flexible coverage options, payment plans, and what discounts you may be eligible for. Call IIA today at 1-855-478-3705 or visit our website for a free personalized quote!