Commercial Auto

Does an unlisted driver or out-of-date driver list void coverage?
As part of the rating factor, a listed driver expedites the claims process. An unlisted driver may cause a delay in the settlement of a claim while an investigation is conducted to be certain it wasn’t an intentional misrepresentation or fraud. Claims can be routinely settled for valid, unlisted drivers.

Is there coverage if a temporary vehicle is not listed on the policy?
Some insurance carriers offer policyholders extended coverages for many different situations.

• Hired Auto Coverage provides excess liability for a non-owned, unlisted vehicle the insured has leased, hired, rented or borrowed.
• Employers Non-ownership Coverage provides excess liability coverage protecting insureds when employees use their own (unlisted) vehicle for incidental use in the course of business for the Named Insured.

Can an insured drive outside their specified radius?
Yes! Many carriers allow insureds a specified number of trips outside their defined radius each calendar year and simply ask to be notified in advance when possible. Radius is defined by one-way air miles, allowing you a greater range than you might first assume.

What are the benefits of using Stated Amount for determining physical damage coverage instead of cost new?
The Stated Amount on an insurance policy is a vehicle’s current retail value including any special or permanently attached equipment. Using Stated Amount provides a superior value by allowing our policyholders to customize their policy to accurately capture their vehicles' true value.

Unlike personal auto, the commercial auto market is very dynamic. Commercial vehicle values are influenced by a variety of factors:

• regulations on equipment standards
• seasonality of work and demand
• regional valuation differences
• large fleet purchases creating a surplus of used equipment
• plus a multitude of other local factors

How do I determine a proper Stated Amount for a vehicle?
The easiest way to establish a Stated Amount is to consult a book publication. Other possibilities include consulting with a dealer/manufacturer or checking Internet sites. When determining Stated Amount, remember to take condition, mileage and location into consideration. Also consider any vehicle upgrades, engine or major component rebuilds that could further increase a vehicle’s value. Possible resources include:

• Valuation Publications & Internet Sites -- Truck Blue Book, truckpaper.com, tradeonline.com
• Manufacturers -- What is the special or permanently attached equipment worth?
• Lending/Financial Institutions -- What is the current Blue Book value of the vehicle?
• Market-Value Software -- N.A.D.A. (possible fee involved for the software).

The Stated Amount listed on a policy is NOT an agreed value and is subject to review upon servicing a claim.

Is non-trucking liability the same as bobtail insurance?
Although people often use these terms interchangeably, technically they are not the same coverage. Non-trucking liability only applies when an insured under permanent lease to a motor carrier is using his/her commercial vehicle for personal, non-business use.

Bobtail insurance covers a tractor when it's being operated without a trailer, whether or not it's under dispatch.

Some motor carriers prefer their owner-operators to have bobtail insurance because the coverage is broader, thus often limiting the carrier's own exposure. But in reality, true bobtail insurance is not widely available and is quite costly. As a general rule, most permanently leased owner-operators only need to carry non-trucking liability.

Contact us to get a quote or more information.