Delivery Drivers and Business Fleets: Essential Commercial Auto Insurance for the Holiday Season

The holiday season often brings a surge in deliveries and increased demand for businesses throughout the country, including in New Hampshire. Whether you manage a fleet of vehicles or work as an independent delivery driver, having the right commercial auto insurance is crucial. The knowledgeable and experienced team at Dyer Insurance Agency is ready to help make sure you’re suitably covered.

Why Is Insurance Especially Important During the Holidays?

This time of year often involves an influx of delivery volume, as well as general traffic on the road. Additionally, the winter conditions of Bedford, NH and throughout the New England area can present increased hazards, including slick roads and poor visibility. Colder temperatures may also present maintenance challenges for your vehicles. With all these inherent concerns and the increased potential consequences of even slight delays or incidents, insurance may be as important as ever.

Is It Required?

Even if you’re an independent gig worker who makes deliveries in your own personal vehicle, you must be aware that commercial auto insurance is likely a necessity. That’s because personal auto insurance policies don’t typically provide coverage for incidents occurring while using your car for commercial purposes.

Larger companies managing multi-vehicle fleets may have even more robust coverage needs, as state and federal requirements may apply, and greater policy limits are likely needed. Generally, commercial auto insurance is legally required, regardless of how many vehicles you own, as long as you’re using them for business. As such, lacking a suitable policy could not only leave you underinsured but also potentially facing fines and other penalties.

What Can My Policy Include?

Commercial auto insurance may include many familiar terms as one might find in a personal policy. Specifically, you may want to build your coverage around the following:

• Bodily injury liability coverage
• Property damage liability coverage
• Collision coverage
• Comprehensive coverage
• Hired and non-owned coverage
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

Additional policies may also be necessary, including cargo insurance to financially protect goods you transport and deliver, and commercial umbrella insurance to provide additional liability coverage for particularly significant incidents.

Find the Right Coverage

Don’t let an unexpected accident or claim disrupt this busy time of year. Contact our team to review your insurance needs and find the right coverage.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.