Commercial auto insurance for personal care businesses

Your employees may be skilled drivers, but accidents can happen to anyone. A collision could lead to another motorist getting injured, or your personal care business's van or car being totaled.

The cost of an auto accident could be financially devastating, especially if someone is hurt. Compare that to a small monthly premium, and it’s easy to see why commercial auto insurance is the better deal.

Commercial auto insurance helps pay for lawsuits, property damage, and medical costs that arise from an accident involving a company vehicle. It can also cover vehicle theft, vandalism, and storm damage.

You can customize a policy to fit the needs of your salon or other personal care business. For example, you can buy a policy that covers only legal liability in an accident, or one that covers damage to your vehicle from almost any source.

Company-owned vehicles must be covered by commercial auto insurance. It's the law in almost every state.

Commercial auto insurance may be required if you:

• Own a mobile salon that travels to events and venues
• Work as a mobile nail technician or mobile hairdresser
• Transport cosmetics or other beauty supplies
• Send massage therapists or other employees to clients' homes

State regulations determine how much coverage you need. Your commercial auto insurance must meet your state’s liability insurance requirements.

You can tailor your commercial auto insurance policy to match your business's risks and its budget. This policy can cover:

If your personal care company is sued over an auto accident, legal expenses can pile up fast. You may also have to pay a settlement or court-ordered judgment.

If an accident injures the driver of your personal care business's vehicle, or any passengers, your policy can cover the cost of medical care.

Collision coverage pays for damage to a company car or other work vehicle, regardless of who caused the accident.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays for damage caused by drivers who lack insurance. Some states require this coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers non-collision damages, including fire, theft, and vandalism.

Commercial auto insurance covers vehicles that are owned by a business, but sometimes employees drive their own cars for work errands. However, personal auto insurance won't provide coverage if you get into an accident while driving for work.

Hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA) provides liability coverage for personal care professionals who get into an accident while driving a personal, leased, or rented vehicle to conduct company business.

Commercial auto insurance is a must-have when your business owns a vehicle, but it's not the only policy you need. Personal care businesses should also consider:

General liability insurance: This policy covers legal costs from third-party accidents, such as a customer who slips in a puddle and suffers an injury. It also covers copyright infringement and other advertising injuries.

Business owner’s policy (BOP): A BOP bundles general liability coverage with commercial property insurance, usually at a lower rate than if the policies were purchased separately.

Professional liability insurance: This policy covers legal costs related to work performance, such as a complaint that a massage or skin treatment didn’t produce the promised results. It's also called errors and omissions insurance (E&O).

Workers’ compensation insurance: Workers' comp is required in most states for businesses that have employees. It covers medical costs and disability benefits for work-related injuries and illnesses.

Cyber insurance: This policy helps businesses recover financially from data breaches and cyberattacks. It's strongly recommended for any business that handles credit cards, email addresses, or other personal information.

Are you ready to protect your personal care business with commercial auto insurance? Complete Insureon’s easy online application today to compare quotes from top-rated U.S. providers. Once you find the right policy, you can begin coverage in less than 24 hours.