Commercial auto insurance provides essential financial protection for insured companies. Understanding whether a driver is covered under an organization’s policy is crucial.
The insured entity is the business that owns and operates the vehicle, but other individuals may also be covered under a commercial auto policy. While it’s essential to check the policy documents to confirm who is insured under a policy, in general, commercial auto policies may cover the following:
- Named drivers while behind the wheel of a covered vehicle
- Business owners while driving the insured vehicle for business purposes
- Employees of the business while driving the insured vehicle for business purposes
- Volunteers driving the insured vehicle for the benefit of the business
How to Find Out Who Is Insured
The Business Auto Coverage Form included with the policy documents provides details about who is insured under a commercial auto policy. Check section II for a paragraph called “Who Is an Insured.” Three main categories of drivers may be insured, including the following:
- You, the named insured or company listed on the policy
- Permissive users, which is anyone driving a covered vehicle with permission from the insured person or company
- Omnibus insureds, which is anyone who may be held vicariously liable for an accident caused by a permissive user or named insured
Contact your agent immediately if you have concerns about who is insured under your commercial auto insurance policy.
Is Commercial Auto Insurance Required in Georgia?
Commercial auto insurance is required for Georgia companies that use vehicles in everyday business. Georgia requires minimum liability coverage to help pay for a company’s legal liability after an at-fault accident.
In addition to liability coverage, your agent may recommend that you purchase additional coverage to help protect your company’s vehicles, including the following:
- Collision and comprehensive insurance help pay to repair or replace a company vehicle after a covered accident or incident.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage helps pay for damages to a company vehicle after an accident with a driver who doesn’t have proper liability insurance coverage.
- Hired and non-owned auto (HNOA) insurance to help provide coverage for vehicles used for business purposes that the company does not own, including rented or borrowed vehicles.
Depending on your situation, your agent may also recommend that you add the following policies and endorsements:
- Medical payments (MedPay) coverage or PIP
- Umbrella insurance
- Replacement cost vehicle coverage
- Rental car reimbursement
- Roadside assistance
- Inland marine insurance
How to Get Commercial Auto Insurance
Commercial auto insurance is essential to many Georgia companies’ business insurance plans. The agents at Peachstate Insurance serving the Atlanta, Georgia, area are ready to help you build a customized insurance plan.
This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.