Commercial Car Insurance: FAQ Fast Answers

Get fast answers to some of your most frequently asked questions about commercial auto insurance below:

Who offers the best commercial auto insurance?

What does commercial auto insurance cover?

Who needs commercial auto insurance?

What does commercial auto insurance cost on average?

What’s the difference between personal and commercial auto insurance?

How should I go about buying commercial auto insurance?

Compare The Best Commercial Auto Insurance Providers

Overall, the best commercial auto insurance provider in the U.S. is NEXT who offers their insurance through Progressive commercial. They primarily rank as the top company due to their low commercial car insurance rates ($293/mo on average) for the vast majority of cost factor combinations we studied and the 2nd best coverage options selection out of all insurers. While this is the case, we also recommend looking into The Hartford if you still want low rates and a top-rated customer experience and Nationwide for farm and agricultural focused businesses due to their specialized coverages.

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NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.60$29352
The Hartford4.55$31511
Nationwide4.40$32424
biBERK4.36$36733
GEICO4.22$32745

Get Matched To The Best Commercial Auto Insurer For You

Select your industry and state to get a customized commercial auto insurance quote from your top company match.

Industry
State

Best Commercial Auto Insurance By State

At the state level, The Hartford (top in 11 out of 50 states) and NEXT (top in 33 out of 50 states) dominate as the best commercial auto insurance providers. Below you can compare which insurers are best in your state below.

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Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
State:
AlabamaThe Hartford4.87$277
AlaskaNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$324
ArizonaNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$339
ArkansasThe Hartford4.87$296
CaliforniaNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$403
ColoradoNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$369
ConnecticutNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.74$390
DelawareThe Hartford4.87$335
FloridaNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$447
GeorgiaNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$311
HawaiiNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$266
IdahoNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$245
IllinoisNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$378
IndianaNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$303
IowaNationwide4.79$262
KansasNationwide4.77$259
KentuckyThe Hartford4.87$311
LouisianaThe Hartford4.87$472
MaineNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$225
MarylandGEICO4.64$386
MassachusettsNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$390
MichiganNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$413
MinnesotaNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$342
MississippiNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$303
MissouriNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$369
MontanaThe Hartford4.87$282
NebraskaNationwide4.78$272
NevadaNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$350
New HampshireNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$236
New JerseyGEICO4.63$397
New MexicoNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$318
New YorkNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$510
North CarolinaNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$287
North DakotaThe Hartford4.87$250
OhioNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$309
OklahomaThe Hartford4.87$292
OregonNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$333
PennsylvaniaNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$345
Rhode IslandNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.74$407
South CarolinaNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$322
South DakotaNationwide4.75$358
TennesseeThe Hartford4.87$333
TexasNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$379
UtahNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$274
VermontNationwide4.75$232
VirginiaNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$322
WashingtonNEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)4.76$385
West VirginiaThe Hartford4.87$313
WisconsinNationwide4.77$293
WyomingThe Hartford4.87$287

Compare Commercial Auto Insurance Rates and Quotes

When comparing commercial auto insurance costs by state, common coverage levels, industry and general vehicle types, we found rates vary anywhere from $21/month to $2,391/month. Filter for your specific business's details below to find what costs will be on average with top providers.

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Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Agriculture/Farming
Industry:Agriculture/Farming
Alabama
State:Alabama
Pickup Truck
Vehicle Model:Pickup Truck
The Hartford$141$1,688
GEICO$164$1,963
Nationwide$170$2,037
NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial)$178$2,134

Compare Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage Types

Commercial auto insurance coverage policies can function similar to personal auto insurance policies and have liability splits and a deductible for comprehensive and collision coverages and add-ons also function similarly. The main difference is that is covers vehicles used for business purposes. However, there are more options businesses can consider that can better suit their needs and customize their coverage.

You can compare the types of commercial auto insurance below.

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Split Limits Liability
Three separate limits (e.g., 100/300/50)
Divides coverage into distinct buckets: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident, and property damage per accident. Each limit applies independently.
Businesses wanting lower premiums with tailored coverage that can be customized based on specific risk tolerance.
Combined Single Limit (CSL)
One total limit (e.g., $500,000)
Provides one overall maximum for all damages (bodily injury and property) without separate per-person or per-accident restrictions. Can be allocated flexibly to any combination of claims.
Businesses with operations involving valuable cargo, high-risk environments, or densely populated areas requiring broader reassurance and flexibility.
Standard Commercial Auto
Customizable limits for owned vehicles
Covers owned, leased, or financed business vehicles with liability, comprehensive, collision, medical payments, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Businesses owning or leasing company vehicles (delivery trucks, service vans, company cars) for regular business operations.
Hired Auto Coverage
Added to main policy or separate endorsement
Covers liability and optional physical damage for rented or leased vehicles used temporarily for business purposes.
Businesses that rent vehicles during peak seasons, special events, or for occasional deliveries and transportation needs.
Non-Owned Auto Coverage
Excess liability over employee's personal policy
Applies after employee's personal auto limit is exhausted when employees use personal vehicles for business tasks. Protects the business from liability, not the vehicle itself.
Businesses whose employees use personal cars for work errands, client meetings, deliveries, or business travel.
Broad Form (Named Operator)
Driver-based liability limits
Coverage follows one specific named driver regardless of vehicle driven, rather than insuring specific vehicles. Available for employees or executives supplied with company vehicles who don't own personal vehicles or have personal auto policies.
Executives or employees with company-supplied vehicles who lack personal auto insurance and drive multiple company vehicles. Single drivers who never allow others to drive.
All Risk/Open Perils
Standard liability limits with comprehensive physical damage
Covers all potential physical damage risks to vehicles except those explicitly excluded in the policy, rather than only named perils. Broader than standard comprehensive coverage.
Businesses wanting maximum physical damage protection beyond standard comprehensive and collision, covering unexpected incidents not typically listed in named perils policies.
Business Auto Policy (BAP)
Comprehensive scheduled coverage per vehicle
Covers all vehicles used by business (owned, leased, hired, and employee-owned) with different coverage types, limits, and deductibles for each vehicle based on risk.
Large fleets or businesses with diverse vehicle types needing comprehensive coverage across multiple vehicle categories with varying risk levels.

How To Compare Commercial Auto Insurance

When buying commercial auto insurance, we recommend using the following steps to find the best coverage possible.

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  1. 1

    Assess Your Needs and Research Providers

    Start by cataloging all vehicles in your fleet with their make, model, year, value, and primary use along with the driving records of employees. Once done, determine what coverage types you need beyond basic liability, such as collision, comprehensive, cargo insurance, and specialized endorsements. Then compile a list of potential insurers national carriers and regional providers that are specialized for your industry to compare.

  2. 2

    Gather Information and Request Multiple Quotes

    Prepare all necessary documentation including your business details, comprehensive vehicle information, driver information with 3-5 years of driving history, and any previous claims history. Contact at least 4-6 insurance providers to request detailed quotes based on identical coverage specifications while being completely honest to ensure accurate comparisons. Ask each provider to itemize their quote in writing so you can compare side-by-side while inquiring about available discounts such as multi-vehicle, safety equipment, bundling, or telematics programs. Calculate the true annual cost including any installment fees or additional charges to make accurate comparisons between providers.

  3. 3

    Compare Coverage Details and Policy Terms

    You should contact at least 4-6 insurance providers to request detailed quotes based on identical coverage specifications. Ask each provider to itemize their quote in writing so you can compare them side-by-side. Also inquire about available discounts such as multi-vehicle, safety equipment, bundling, or telematics programs in order to take advantage of all possible savings opportunities.

  4. 4

    Evaluate Claims Process and Service Quality

    Look beyond just the price when reviewing each policy. You need to examine coverage territories, driver restrictions, deductibles, and how each insurer handles hired and non-owned vehicles. Pay attention to endorsements, exclusions, and special conditions that affect your operations. Also, compare specific features like cargo coverage limits, rental reimbursement, and roadside assistance, then review payment options, cancellation policies, renewal rate structures, and any fees beyond the premium.

  5. 5

    Evaluate Claims Process and Service Quality

    Research how each company handles claims by checking processing times and reading customer reviews about claims experiences. You should contact customer service to gauge their responsiveness and ask about dedicated claims adjusters, response times, rental vehicle provisions, and repair shop options. Further than this, consider value-added benefits like safety training programs, fleet management tools, and bundling discounts that can provide additional value.

  6. 6

    Review Contract and Make Your Decision

    Request full policy documents from your top 2-3 candidates and review the language carefully. You should pay attention to exclusions, conditions, and requirements to maintain coverage and other detailed you've already gathered on their service reputation and pricing. Confirm all details in writing before signing, review your policy documents to ensure they match your agreement, and reevaluate your policy needs annually to ensure you have the right protection.

Business Auto Insurance: Bottom Line

Overall, the best cheap commercial auto insurance providers are NEXT (Progressive Commercial), The Hartford and Nationwide. While this is the case, the right provider for you varies widely by your state, coverage level wanted, vehicles you want insured and your industry. So, we recommend comparing plenty of providers, researching your needs before buying and paying close attention to coverage terms and details to get the best fit possible for your business.

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Compare Commercial Auto Insurance Chart

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.


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