assurance flotte is a flexible, customizable policy that can save your business money on commercial vehicle coverage. However, it can be affected by a number of factors.
The intended use of your fleet can have a significant effect on the cost of the policy. Businesses that use their vehicles for service calls, such as electricians and plumbers, pay less than those that transport people or cargo.
Coverage for Multiple Vehicles
Fleet insurance typically comes in the form of one policy covering a wide range of vehicles and drivers. This makes it easier to manage and often less expensive than purchasing individual commercial auto policies for each vehicle.
Some of the key features of a fleet insurance policy include accessories coverage (which pays for repairs or replacements on any business-owned accessories that may be damaged in an accident), combined single limit liability, which reduces the number of separate limits for bodily injury and property damage claims, and collision coverage. Some insurers also offer flexible payment options, such as monthly, that can help businesses that need to control their cash flow.
Like other business auto policies, the cost of fleet insurance varies depending on several factors, including the driving records and experience of your employees, the location where the vehicles are used, the age and type of vehicle, and usage. However, one way to keep costs down is by requiring all drivers to take a defensive driving class.
Coverage for Equipment
Business fleets often include vehicles that are used to haul products or equipment. If these items are damaged while in transit, fleet insurance can help pay to have them repaired or replaced. Depending on the policy, it may also cover towing costs.
Purchasing fleet insurance can save businesses time by eliminating the need to purchase individual vehicle policies for each of their employees. Having one renewal date for all of the vehicles also helps businesses keep track of them easier.
The driving records and experience of drivers are important factors that influence the cost of a business’s premiums. Fleet insurance often allows businesses to choose a flexible any driver policy that lets them add young or high risk drivers without affecting the cost of the overall coverage. Other ways to reduce the cost of fleet insurance includes limiting access to the vehicles for non-work use, and ensuring that vehicles are stored in secure places where they’re less likely to be stolen.
Coverage for Drivers
Fleet insurance allows businesses to cover any driver in any vehicle at any time, removing the need for costly individual policies for each employee. This is especially useful for small businesses that may experience a high turnover of drivers. It also saves time when it comes to renewals, as a single policy can be renewed easily rather than each car or driver being individually insured.
Business owners can typically lower their premiums by keeping a close eye on the driving records of employees. Enrolling employees in defensive driving courses can help, too. Additionally, installing security cameras in vehicles can be helpful when it comes to defending against fraudulent claims and settling disputes over who is at fault after accidents.
Some policies offer a discounted rate based on usage data from telematics systems that are installed in cars and trucks. This data can include information on speeding, hard braking and distracted driving, and helps insurers accurately assess risk.
Coverage for Third-Party Liability
Fleet insurance offers businesses the flexibility to decide how they want their vehicles covered and who will drive them. If a driver is too young or high risk to obtain individual coverage, that driver can often still drive some of the fleet’s cars through a specific policy option called named driver or flexible any driver policies.
Depending on the type of policy, fleet insurance can include third party liability, which covers costs for bodily injury and property damage caused by an accident involving one of your business vehicles. It also includes legal fees and court costs up to the limit of your coverage.
Medical payments and comprehensive coverage are other standard fleet insurance options. The latter protects your business from paying for costly collision repairs or car replacement. Storing parked fleet vehicles in secure locations can also help lower your premium as it reduces the risk of theft. You may also be able to save money by increasing your deductible.