Commercial auto insurance provides coverage for a combination of drivers and vehicle types (autos, trucks), as well as any kind of machinery or automated equipment used in a business. It offers for property damage and bodily injury liability, while protecting your business vehicle against damage and theft, while providing coverage for medical payments, Personal Injury Liability and Disability Insurance (PPI), and accidental death and dismemberment coverage. A commercial policy also provides coverage for comprehensive loss and destruction, which may include everything from fire and smoke damage to theft and vandalism.
There are several different kinds of commercial auto insurance Texas and several different types of policies that Texas insurers will offer you. Some policies provide "all risks" insurance, which means that they will cover you in the event of any accident, regardless of who is at fault. Other types of policies, however, only offer "third party" insurance. These will cover you if you are at fault in an accident, but the insurance company of the person who caused the accident will not cover you.
The first step you'll need to take when you shop around for commercial auto insurance in Texas is to determine what type of coverage you need. Depending on how much you use your vehicle, you might have a higher premium than someone who rarely carries it. In addition, some insurers in Texas require that you carry more than one type of coverage, so be sure to ask your broker or company about options.
One type of policy that Texas auto insurance companies offer is called "all risk" auto insurance. This policy covers you and your car for all kinds of situations, which means that you're not just covered for liability. In fact, many policies only cover you for liability, so that if your car is damaged in a wreck, the other party's damages also come out of your pocket. This kind of policy may be a good choice if you often tow or repair cars that are in your care. You might, however, want more comprehensive coverage for your car. If you have a newer car, for example, you should consider getting comprehensive car insurance, which will pay off the cost of repairs to your auto after a wreck, as well as provide coverage in the case of a major accident.
If you can't afford comprehensive car insurance, there are plenty of choices. Some Texas car insurance companies only offer liability insurance. If you only use your vehicle to run to work and back home from work, this might be a good option. However, this kind of coverage doesn't cover anything for damage to your vehicle in the event of an accident. If you want comprehensive coverage, you should look into getting either non-collision or car collision insurance, which covers damage to your vehicle in the event of a wreck, irrespective of who caused the accident.
Non-collision car insurance is less expensive than collision coverage, but it provides the same type of coverage. There are many different kinds of non-collision insurance, depending on how much protection you need. For instance, there is roadside assistance coverage in Texas. If you're driving in another state, you'll want to purchase this kind of insurance. It includes all of the benefits of roadside assistance, but it's offered at a lower price because you don't have to carry it with you in your vehicle. For many people, the savings they get from this kind of car insurance outweighs the premium cost.
Of course, if you already have a car insurance policy in Texas, you can usually skip buying a commercial auto insurance policy, especially if you already have a homeowner's or renters' insurance policy. Under Texas law, both renters and homeowners need to have some form of minimum insurance coverage. Most insurance companies will offer comprehensive insurance discounts for individuals who already have a homeowner's or renter's policy. Many people also choose to purchase extra coverage when they purchase a car, so it makes sense to purchase a non-owner policy for non-emergency situations.
Commercial auto insurance is designed to protect your business as well as yourself and your employees. You should always shop around for the best price, but don't neglect your Texas insurance needs. You may need a little bit of non-collision and/or comprehensive insurance, but it will be worth the expense when you have to make a claim under the policy.
