Commercial auto insurance covers the cost of bills and expenses if a business-owned vehicle is involved in an accident. It's required for any vehicles used solely for work purposes in Arizona.
All types of businesses in Arizona, from Tucson to Phoenix, that use vehicles for business purposes must have commercial vehicle insurance, whether it’s the owner’s personal vehicle or a fleet of vehicles owned by the business.
Your personal auto insurance policy covers you while driving to and from work, but not while making deliveries, picking up supplies, and other work-specific uses. A business auto policy would cover you and your personal vehicle in case you’re at fault for an accident during a work-related errand.
Any vehicles you own solely for work purposes must be covered by a commercial auto policy, whether you own a single pickup truck, a food truck, or a fleet of semi-trucks and tractor-trailers.
Your business could be in legal and financial jeopardy without commercial auto insurance coverage. In Arizona, any business that has its own vehicles must at least carry auto liability insurance.
If one of your business vehicles is at fault in an accident, you could face an expensive lawsuit or settlement. You’d likely have to pay for damage to the other vehicle or property, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, plus other related costs.
Additionally, you could face severe penalties for not carrying auto insurance. If you are cited for not having insurance, your vehicle registration and driver's license could be suspended. To get them reinstated, you may need to pay fees and also submit future proof of financial responsibility to the Motor Vehicle Division.
All vehicles in Arizona are required by law to have a minimum amount of auto liability insurance coverage, whether they’re for personal or business use. These liability limits are:
Your insurance agency might recommend higher liability coverage limits based on the types of vehicles you own and how they’re used.
Semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and other vehicles with an Arizona Department of Transportation serial number will have additional liability coverage requirements, depending on the type of vehicle and how it’s used.
You can see if your business needs these additional requirements by checking your USDOT number or docket number with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Your cost is based on a few factors, including:
Commercial auto insurance costs an average of $205 per month. 37% of Insureon small business customers pay less than $100 per month for their policies.
If you’re using your own vehicle for work-specific activities, your personal auto policy wouldn’t cover you in the case of an accident. That’s why many small business owners purchase hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA). This liability policy covers accidents in personal, leased, and rented vehicles used for work purposes.
If you or an employee gets into an accident while driving a personal car for a work errand, your HNOA coverage would help pay for any claims or lawsuits against your business. It’s worth noting that this would not cover damage to the vehicle used by your business.
While every Arizona business owner must meet the minimum requirements for business auto insurance, this mandate only applies to liability coverage. This can protect you if one of your vehicles causes an accident, but it does not insure you against a mishap caused by someone else.
It’s worth considering these other commercial auto coverage options to make sure you’re fully protected:
Need help choosing the right insurance policies for your business? Answer three questions and we can help you find the most affordable coverage.
Insureon makes it easy for business owners to get affordable Arizona commercial auto insurance. Complete one easy application to review commercial auto insurance quotes specific to your business and industry from leading U.S. insurance companies. Our licensed insurance agents will answer any questions and make sure you get the right coverage for your business.