Best Commercial Auto Insurance Companies
Acuity A Mutual Insurance Co.
5.0
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Complaint level
Very low
A.M. Best financial strength rating
A+
(Superior)
Very low
A+
(Superior)
Editor's Take
Acuity has low complaint levels across the board for its commercial auto, liability and property insurance. Types of businesses that Acuity can insure include construction, manufacturing, trucking and retail. Acuity has many supplemental coverage types you can add to a commercial auto insurance policy, such as coverage for bail bond payments, temporary substitute vehicles and fire department service charges.
Pros & Cons
- Online commercial auto insurance quotes available.
- Covers employees for after-hours personal use.
- You can file commercial auto claims online.
- Financial strength rating is lower than some top competitors, but still solid.
Auto-Owners Insurance
5.0
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Complaint level
Very low
AM Best financial strength rating
A++
(Superior)
Learn More
Very low
A++
(Superior)
Editor's Take
Auto-Owners Insurance has a very low level of complaints about its business auto insurance. Ways to save on Auto-Owners’ commercial auto insurance include a discount for paying in full, buying multiple policies and using a telematics program to monitor your fleet of vehicles.
Pros & Cons
- Road trouble service is included and covers problems like flat tires, dead batteries, running out of gas and locking your keys in your vehicle.
- Includes coverage for additional expenses after an accident such as a rental car and food and lodging if you cannot drive your work vehicle due to an accident.
- You can add loan/lease gap coverage to cover the gap between what you owe on your vehicle and the value of your vehicle if it’s totaled due to a problem covered by your policy.
- Offers several different types of discounts, such as multi-policy discount, paid-in-full discount, and fleet monitoring discount if telematics devices are installed and used to monitor the vehicles in your fleet.
- You’ll need to contact an agent to get a commercial auto insurance quote.
Axis Insurance
5.0
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Complaint level
Very low
A.M. Best financial strength rating
A
(Excellent)
Learn More
Very low
A
(Excellent)
Editor's Take
Axis Insurance isn’t one of the larger insurers on our list but is worth a look because of its lack of commercial auto insurance complaints in 2021. Its business targets commercial and consumer product manufacturers, commercial contractors, the hospitality industry and retail. Complaints made to state regulators about Axis’s commercial liability and commercial property insurance were also low.
Pros & Cons
- Very low level of commercial auto insurance complaints.
- No option to file a claim online, you’ll need to contact an agent.
- Does not offer online quotes for commercial auto insurance.
Federated Insurance
5.0
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Complaint level
Very low
AM Best financial strength rating
A+
(Superior)
Learn More
Very low
A+
(Superior)
Editor's Take
Federated Insurance serves industries, such as contractors, dealerships, automotive repair, retailers and wholesalers. It stands out for having no complaints to state regulators last year. However, its commercial liability and commercial property insurance businesses received complaint levels above the industry average.
Pros & Cons
- Very low level of commercial auto complaints.
- Agents will meet with you to customize a commercial auto policy that fits your specific business needs.
- Offers online claims filing.
- Does not offer online commercial auto quotes.
The Hartford
5.0
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Complaint level
Very low
AM Best financial strength rating
A+
(Superior)
Very low
A+
(Superior)
Editor's Take
Within its broad footprint of insurance and financial services, The Hartford offers commercial auto insurance for both small and large businesses. If your business vehicle is in a crash, commercial auto insurance from The Hartford can cover lost business income.
The Hartford’s commercial auto policies include gap coverage for leased and loaned vehicles and coverage for electronic devices. If your business vehicle is totaled, The Hartford pays an additional 10% (up to $2,500) above the vehicle value if you replace it with a hybrid, electric or natural gas vehicle.
Pros & Cons
- Pays an additional 10% (up to $2,500) of your coverage limit if you replace a totaled work vehicle with an electric, hybrid or natural gas vehicle.
- Offers online business insurance quotes.
- Offers liability insurance for rental cars if you or your employees are driving a rental vehicle for work purposes.
- Offers online claims filing.
- Financial strength rating is lower than some top competitors, but still solid.
Nationwide
5.0
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Complaint level
Very low
AM Best financial strength rating
Very low
A+
(Superior)
Editor's Take
While Nationwide’s business spans many types of insurance and financial services, it’s also a big player in commercial auto insurance. Nationwide’s target customers include commercial agribusiness, construction and manufacturing. Small businesses, such as retail stores, can also find suitable coverage from Nationwide.
If your small business has a fleet of vehicles, check out Nationwide Vantage 360. This telematics program allows you to view drivers’ locations and how well they drive.
Pros & Cons
- Offers online business insurance quotes.
- Offers online claims filing and a repair shop locator.
- The telematics program (Vantage 360 Fleet) offers a rewards program for drivers to earn points for safe driving and redeem points for gift cards.
- Financial strength rating is lower than some top competitors, but still solid.
Sentry
5.0
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Complaint level
Very low
AM Best financial strength rating
A+
(Superior)
Learn More
Very low
A+
(Superior)
Editor's Take
Sentry has an excellent track record for low complaints about its commercial auto insurance. Sentry primarily serves large businesses, including auto dealerships, construction and manufacturing companies, and motor carriers.
Pros & Cons
- Offers non-trucking liability insurance to cover you when you’re driving for non-business purposes.
- You can work with safety services consultants to implement a fleet safety program.
- Does not offer online claims filing—you’ll need to contact Sentry.
- Does not offer online commercial auto insurance quotes.
AmTrust Financial
4.5
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Complaint level
Very low
AM Best financial strength rating
A-
(Excellent)
Learn More
Very low
A-
(Excellent)
Editor's Take
AmTrust’s commercial auto insurance business focuses on contractors (such as electrical, HVAC and plumbing), distributors (such as food and beverage), energy and appliance repair. AmTrust can provide downtime loss coverage for small businesses if your vehicle is being repaired, a diminishing deductible if you haven’t made a claim and a single deductible if you have claims on multiple vehicles from one event.
Pros & Cons
- Low level of complaints for commercial auto insurance.
- Offers coverage for towing and rental reimbursem*nt while your work vehicle is being repaired due to a problem covered by the policy.
- Offers online commercial auto insurance quotes.
- Does not offer online claims filing for commercial auto, but you can download a form and submit a claim via email.
- Does not offer online commercial auto insurance quotes.
Old Republic Insurance
4.5
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Complaint level
Very low
AM Best financial strength rating
A+
(Superior)
Call Now
Learn More
Very low
A+
(Superior)
Editor's Take
Old Republic’s subsidiary Great West Casualty Co. is worth a look because of its very low complaint level if you’re in the trucking business. Great West specializes in services and insurance for truckers.
Pros & Cons
- Very low level of complaints for commercial auto insurance.
- Coverage is geared toward truckers and trucking companies.
- Offers online truck insurance quotes.
- Does not offer online claims filing.
Travelers
4.5
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Complaint level
Low
AM Best financial strength rating
A++
(Superior)
Low
A++
(Superior)
Editor's Take
Travelers’ commercial auto insurance spans a broad range of customers, from small businesses to commercial trucking to municipal emergency services. With a track record of low complaints and a large selection of other business coverages, Travelers is worth consideration.
Pros & Cons
- Superior financial strength rating from AM Best.
- Offers industry-specific coverage for the public sector (such as fire trucks and ambulances) and the oil and gas industry.
- Offers online commercial auto insurance claims filing.
- Some top competitors have a lower level of commercial auto insurance complaints, but Travelers’ track record is solid.
- Does not provide online commercial auto insurance quotes.
Overview: Commercial Auto Insurance Ratings
| Company | Forbes Advisor Rating |
|---|---|
Acuity |
|
Auto-Owners |
|
Axis |
|
Federated |
|
The Hartford |
|
Nationwide |
|
Sentry |
|
AmTrust Financial |
|
Old Republic |
|
Travelers |
|
Canal Insurance |
|
EMC Insurance |
|
The Cincinnati |
|
What Is Commercial Car Insurance?
Commercial car insurance is a form of small business insurance for work vehicles. If you drive a car, truck or van for business purposes, you’ll need a commercial auto policy. Your personal car insurance likely won’t cover the vehicle if you (or an employee) get into an accident while driving for business.
Commercial auto insurance can cover everything from company cars to food trucks to delivery vans.
What Does Commercial Auto Insurance Cover?
Here’s a look at the types of coverage available with commercial auto insurance:
- Property damage liability pays for damages to another person’s property, such as their car, when you are at fault in an accident.
- Bodily injury liability pays for the injuries you cause another person when you’re responsible for an accident.
- Combined single limit (CSL) offers one limit for property damage claims and bodily injury claims.
- Collision insurance pays for damage to your business vehicle when it hits another car or an object, such as a pole.
- Comprehensive insurance pays for damage caused by weather, fire, falling objects (such as tree branches) and other problems. It also covers vehicle theft.
- Medical payments and personal injury protection (PIP) pay for the cost of medical care for you and your passengers, no matter who was at fault.
- Uninsured motorist coverage pays for your and your passengers’ injuries if your vehicle is struck by an uninsured driver.
Do I Need Commercial Auto Insurance?
If you are driving a vehicle for business purposes, you will need commercial auto insurance. Your personal car insurance policy won’t pay a claim if you get into an accident while driving your car for work.
Here are some examples when you need a commercial auto insurance policy:
- The vehicle is solely used for work (for example, a company car).
- You transport goods or people in your vehicle.
- You transport tools or equipment in your vehicle.
- Your employees drive your business vehicle.
- The vehicle is owned by the company.
- You conduct a business service with your vehicle.
Related: How commercial auto insurance works
How Much is Commercial Auto Insurance?
The average cost of commercial auto insurance is $147 per month, according to Insureon. More than a third (37%) of Insureon customers pay less than $100 per month, about a quarter (26%) pay between $100 and $200 per month and 37% pay more than $200 per month for commercial auto insurance.
Factors in Business Auto Insurance Cost
Here’s a look at the pricing factors for commercial auto insurance.
- Company business. The type of business you run impacts the commercial auto insurance rates that you’ll pay. If you mainly work at your office, you’ll pay less than someone who carries tools and equipment in a work van and makes customer calls all day.
- Vehicle. The type and size of the company vehicle affects the insurance rate.
- Driving history. Drivers with good driving records are rewarded with better rates.
- Location. If you work in a bigger city, expect to pay more for your commercial auto insurance than a business that operates in a small town. Drivers in areas with low accident frequency and few car thefts pay less.
- Mileage. How much you typically drive a commercial vehicle impacts rates.
- Coverage choices. Your coverage choices and insurance limits impact your rate.
What Is Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance?
If you have a business vehicle that you rent or a personal car that you sometimes use for business-related work, the vehicle won’t be covered by a commercial auto policy. But you can find coverage with “hired and non-owned auto insurance.”
Let’s say you’re driving your personal car to a business meeting and get into a car wreck. You’re at fault in the accident, and the other driver decides to sue your business. Hired and non-owned auto insurance would help cover these legal fees.
Methodology
We evaluated 28 companies based on commercial auto insurance complaints made to state regulators in 2021, using data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
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Best Commercial Auto Insurance FAQ
What types of vehicles are covered under commercial auto insurance?
Commercial auto insurance generally covers work vehicles that are owned, rented or leased by a business and used for work-related purposes, such as delivering goods and transporting tools and equipment. This includes vehicles such as cars, box trucks, pickup trucks, dump trucks, food trucks, vans, funeral home vehicles and courtesy vehicles for repair shops.
Why are commercial auto insurance costs so high?
Commercial auto insurance typically costs more than personal auto insurance because insurance companies generally see driving for work-related purposes as riskier than driving for personal use. For example, a business consultant who drives to meet with several clients every week is more likely to have an accident compared to someone who drives to work once a day.
The best way to find a good price on commercial auto insurance is to shop around for quotes. It’s a good idea to get commercial auto insurance quotes from several different insurers.
How is commercial auto insurance different from personal auto insurance?
Commercial auto insurance is intended specifically for vehicles used for business purposes. Because of the extra risks associated with business use, commercial car insurance is generally more expensive than a comparable personal auto policy.
You’ll find business-specific coverage options and sometimes discounts for using a telematics program to track your fleet of vehicles.
