Business Solutions for the Real World
Give us a call to get started! 304.935.2002
Business Solutions for the Real World
Give us a call to get started! 304.935.2002
Commercial Auto Insurance in Charleston, WV
Charleston businesses put a lot of trust in the people behind the wheel. A service truck heading to a customer, a pickup hauling tools to a job site and a van carrying residents to an appointment all carry your name and your liability.
We insure the vehicles your business depends on and help you build the driver safety habits that keep your premiums in check.
Schedule a Call With Our TeamPrefer to talk now? Call 304.935.2002.
What Commercial Auto Insurance Is
Commercial auto insurance covers vehicles used in your business. It addresses the exposures that come with company vehicles and the people who drive them, including liability for accidents your drivers cause and physical damage to the vehicles themselves.
A personal auto policy is written for personal driving, so business use can fall outside it. Once a vehicle belongs to the business or does the business's work, it's time to look at a commercial policy.
When a Vehicle Needs Commercial Coverage
As a general rule, commercial auto liability applies when any one of these is true:
It's titled to the business
The company owns or leases the vehicle, whatever its size.
It's used mainly for business
It makes deliveries, runs service calls, hauls equipment or moves crews between sites.
Employees drive it for work
That includes anyone on your payroll who drives as part of the job.
Fuller coverage for the vehicle itself, such as comprehensive, is often required as well. That's common in situations like these:
Not sure your vehicles are covered the way they're used? Let's check together.
Schedule a Call With Our TeamWhat Your Commercial Auto Program Covers
Every program is built around how your vehicles are actually used, and most cover the same three core exposures:
Liability
It covers injuries and property damage your drivers cause while they're working.
Physical damage
It pays to repair or replace the vehicles you own or lease after a covered loss.
Your drivers
Your program sets who's allowed behind the wheel, how they're screened and what you expect of them on the road.
If a serious accident could go past your auto limits, an umbrella policy adds higher liability limits above qualifying business insurance policies.
Your Fleet's Record Shapes Your Premium
The more vehicles you run, the more your safety record drives what you pay and which carriers will write your policy. Underwriters look closely at fleet history, and these warning lights can raise your costs or limit your options:
The good news is that most of these can be fixed. We help you see your fleet the way an underwriter will, so you have time to correct problems before renewal.
Get a clear read on your fleet before your next renewal.
Schedule a Call With Our Team- A commercial auto policy that was cancelled or not renewed
- A poor DOT compliance history
- No fleet safety program, or a weak one
- A loose hiring process for new drivers
- Several drivers with poor driving records
A Written Safety Standard Your Drivers Can Use
A fleet safety program starts with telling drivers clearly what you expect. Our Business Drivers' Packet does that for you, giving everyone who drives for your company practical safety information and a written standard to follow.
- Practical safety guidance for employees who drive
- Clear expectations you can hand to every new driver
- A documented program to show underwriters at renewal
Ready for Your Next DOT Inspection
A roadside or facility inspection goes better when your team already knows what inspectors look for. We provide copies of DOT regulations, inspection protocols and the violations inspectors cite most often, so you can prepare your transportation and fleet operations ahead of time.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's regulations set many of the rules commercial vehicles are inspected against. Our loss control help desk can point you to the ones that apply to your vehicles, and you'll get an answer within 24 hours by phone or email.
Vehicles Are Central to the Industries We Serve
Energy, mining and pipelines
Crews and heavy equipment travel between facilities and job sites, and midstream work depends on transportation.
Manufacturing
Company vehicles carry products and people between facilities, customers and suppliers.
Assisted living
Facility-owned vehicles used to transport residents need coverage of their own. See our assisted living facility insurance.
One program for energy and manufacturing operations
For energy and manufacturing clients, we often bring primary general liability, commercial auto and workers' compensation together in one program, so coverage for your people, vehicles and operations works as a whole. Our page on energy and manufacturing insurance explains how that program works, and you can read more about workers' comp for employees hurt on the job or browse the full list of business insurance coverage we place.
Running vehicles for an energy, manufacturing or care operation? Let's look at your program together.
Schedule a Call With Our TeamVisit Us on Virginia Street East
You'll find us inside the Gazette-Mail building in downtown Charleston. Calling ahead works best, and you're welcome to stop by and talk through your fleet in person.
The route from the airport
- From the airport, drive toward Eagle Mountain Road and join WV-114 South, which locals call Greenbrier Street.
- After roughly 2 miles, make a right onto Kanawha Boulevard East along the river.
- About 1.4 miles on, make a right onto Hale Street.
- Make a right onto Virginia Street East and use the middle lane. Our building, number 1001, is on your right, and we're in Suite 100.
Commercial Auto Questions, Answered
Do I need commercial auto insurance?
You usually do if a vehicle is titled to your business, used mainly for business or driven by employees for work. A personal auto policy may not cover business use.
What does commercial auto insurance cover?
It covers vehicles used in your business, including liability for injuries and property damage your drivers cause and physical damage to the vehicles themselves.
Why are fleet premiums going up?
Underwriters look at fleet history. A cancelled policy, poor DOT compliance, a weak safety program, loose driver hiring or drivers with poor records can all raise costs.
Can you help with DOT compliance?
Yes. We provide copies of DOT regulations, inspection protocols and the most commonly issued violations, and our help desk answers fleet questions within 24 hours.
Can I add higher liability limits?
Yes. An umbrella policy can add higher liability limits above qualifying business insurance policies.
Talk Through Your Fleet With Us
Adding vehicles, hiring drivers or heading into a renewal you're unsure about? We'll tell you on one call whether your coverage matches the way your vehicles are really used.
Schedule a Call With Our TeamPrefer to talk now? Call 304.935.2002.
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Phone: 304.935.2002
Address: 1001 Virginia St. East, Suite 100, Charleston, WV 25301