California Commercial Vehicle Insurance
Get a full analysis of California commercial vehicle insurance costs, coverages & companies.
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Christine Lacagnina has written thousands of insurance-based articles for TrustedChoice.com by authoring consumable, understandable content.
Find the Best Commercial Vehicle Insurance Rates & Companies in California
Businesses in California that have company-owned cars or trucks, by law, must carry commercial auto insurance. Whether you own a manufacturing company, a transportation-based company, or any other business that uses company-owned vehicles for work purposes, you can benefit from the extra liability protection that a California commercial auto insurance policy provides. Without the proper coverage, your business could have to pay potentially hefty losses from its own pocket.
A California independent insurance agent can help your business get equipped with the right commercial auto insurance. They'll get you matched to the policy that gets the job done right. But first, here's a breakdown of commercial vehicle insurance requirements and more in California.
Best Commercial Vehicle Insurance Companies in California
Many types of commercial insurance are available from a variety of carriers in California. But when you need the right insurance for commercial vehicles, you want to look into only the best insurers around. That's why we put together this list of some of the best commercial vehicle insurance companies in California for your convenience.
- EMC Insurance Companies: EMC Insurance offers commercial vehicle insurance along with many other personal and business coverages. The insurance company has outstanding ratings from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and offers affordable coverage rates and 24/7 claims reporting.
- Travelers: Travelers is a longstanding insurance company that offers commercial auto coverage along with many other personal and business products. The insurance company has excellent AM Best and BBB ratings, many discount options, and overwhelmingly positive customer feedback.
- Progressive: Progressive is a large, well-respected insurance company that offers commercial auto insurance along with many other personal and business coverages. The insurance company has consistently solid financial strength and offers 24/7/365 customer service.
- Liberty Mutual: Liberty Mutual is an insurance company with a long history that offers commercial auto insurance along with many other business and personal products. The insurance company is also a Fortune 500 company with excellent ratings from AM Best and the BBB and 24/7 claims reporting.
A California independent insurance agent can help you find the right commercial insurance auto. They can also help you find insurance for trucks, if your business is in need of commercial truck insurance.
What Commercial Vehicle Insurance in California Can Cover
All California businesses with company vehicles used for business purposes must have commercial vehicle insurance by state law. You can expect to find the following types of coverage in a commercial auto insurance policy in California:
- Liability insurance: This can reimburse your business for expenses related to bodily injury or personal property damage costs related to incidents with third parties caused by a company vehicle.
- Collision insurance: Pays for damage to your car from a collision with another driver, regardless of fault.
- Comprehensive insurance: Pays for damage to your car due to a non-collision event such as a flood or theft.
- Medical payments insurance: This can reimburse your business for expenses related to medical treatments if an employee, other company drivers, or their passengers get injured in an accident while using a company vehicle, regardless of who was at fault.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorists insurance: This can reimburse your business for expenses related to accidents involving another driver who doesn't have any or adequate car insurance of their own to cover their part of the cost, as well as expenses related to hit-and-run accidents.
An independent insurance agent in California can help you assemble the best commercial auto policy for your unique company.
How Much Commercial Vehicle Insurance Is Required in California?
Your California business must comply with state laws regarding the minimum mandated amount of commercial vehicle insurance. Make sure to get a commercial auto policy that has at least the following types and amounts of coverage:
- Bodily injury liability insurance: At least $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident of bodily injury liability insurance is required for businesses with company vehicles in California.
- Property damage liability insurance: At least $5,000 per incident of property damage liability coverage per accident is required for businesses with company vehicles in California.
California's basic commercial auto coverage requirements for businesses are 15/30/5. Your California independent insurance agent will ensure you get set up with a policy for your business that satisfies the state's requirements.
What Commercial Vehicle Insurance in California Will Not Cover
California commercial auto insurance has a set of coverage exclusions as well. Don't expect to find coverage for the following in your commercial vehicle policy in California:
- Vehicle collisions caused by a company driver or employee who was intoxicated
- Any damage to company vehicles from pollutants
- Employee injuries that are covered by a workers' compensation policy
- Intentional property damage or injuries caused by employees and company drivers
Your California independent insurance agent can help you review your business's commercial auto policy to be certain of what's excluded.
Average Cost of Commercial Vehicle Insurance in California
In California, the average cost of commercial auto insurance is about $147 per month. But the cost of your business's commercial auto policy may vary based on a number of factors, including:
- The type and amount of coverage chosen
- Your business's size, location, and annual revenue
- The policy's deductible amount
- The type and amount of company vehicles insured
- The driving history of any employees who use company vehicles
A California independent insurance agent can shop and compare quotes for commercial auto coverage from several different carriers for you to find the absolute best available rate.
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Popular Questions about California Commercial Vehicle Insurance
If your California business uses company vehicles for work-related activities, then yes, you must have commercial auto insurance. Failure to secure coverage can result in state penalties like fines or suspended business operations.
Yes, California state law requires all business vehicles to be insured by commercial vehicle insurance. Without this coverage, your business could face fines and other penalties.
Commercial auto insurance in California must at least include bodily injury and property damage liability coverage. However, your policy can be customized to include additional coverage, such as uninsured motorist, medical payments, and more.
California businesses with company vehicles must have at least the following types and amounts of commercial auto insurance coverage:
- Bodily injury liability insurance: At least $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident of bodily injury liability insurance is required.
- Property damage liability insurance: At least $5,000 per incident of property damage liability coverage per accident is required.
Commercial auto insurance premiums are tax-deductible in California. Businesses can deduct the cost of their commercial auto insurance from their taxable revenue.
In California, commercial auto insurance at least covers incidents of bodily injury or property damage liability. However, your business's coverage will depend on the types of protection included in its specific policy.
Commercial auto insurance costs an average of $147 per month in California. An independent insurance agent can help you find a policy with a great rate for your business.
California independent insurance agents have access to multiple commercial vehicle insurance companies in your area, so they can shop and compare policies and quotes for you. Ultimately, they'll find you a policy that offers the best blend of coverage and cost.
https://www.insureon.com/small-business-insurance/commercial-auto/california