Commercial auto insurance in Oregon

Any Oregon company that uses vehicles for business purposes must insure them appropriately. Commercial auto insurance covers vehicles owned by your business, while hired and non-owned auto (HNOA) insurance covers personal, rented, and leased vehicles used by your 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 if 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 landscaping pickup, a food truck, or a fleet of company cars.

Your business could be in legal and financial jeopardy without commercial auto insurance coverage. In Oregon, all vehicles are required to 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 costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, plus other related expenses.

Additionally, you could face severe penalties for not carrying auto insurance. Driving without insurance in Oregon is a Class B traffic violation with a minimum fine of $135 and a maximum fine of $1,000. If you get into an accident while uninsured, your driving privileges could be suspended.

From Portland to Eugene, all vehicles in the state of Oregon are required to carry auto liability insurance coverage, whether they’re for personal or business use. Oregon’s minimum insurance requirements are:

• Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $20,000 per accident
• Uninsured motorist coverage: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
• Personal injury protection (PIP): $15,000

Your insurance agency might recommend higher limits based on the types of vehicles you own and how they’re used.

Semi-trucks, utility and cargo trailers, and other vehicles with an Oregon Department of Transportation serial number will have additional liability and damage 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.

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 inolving 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 physical damage to the vehicle.

Insureon makes it easy for business owners to get quotes for Oregon commercial auto insurance. Complete our easy online application to review quotes specific to your type of business and industry from leading U.S. insurance companies. You can speak with an insurance agent for more information on which types of insurance and add-ons are right for you.

Once you find the best auto insurance policy for your insurance needs and budget, you can begin coverage and receive a certificate of insurance in less than 24 hours.