Commercial auto insurance covers the vehicles your business owns, leases, or uses for work — and it fills a gap most owners don't realize exists until a claim is denied. A personal auto policy will not cover an accident that happens while you're using a vehicle for business purposes, whether that's a contractor's pickup, a florist's delivery van, or a fleet of service trucks. If vehicles are part of how your Washington or Florida business operates, commercial auto isn't optional — it's the difference between a covered claim and a catastrophic uninsured loss.
Who needs commercial auto
You likely need a commercial auto policy if your business owns vehicles, employees drive as part of their job, you carry tools, equipment, or goods, you transport clients, or vehicles are titled to the business. Even businesses that rely on employees' personal cars for errands should carry hired and non-owned auto coverage to protect against liability that personal policies exclude.
What commercial auto covers
| Coverage | What it pays for |
|---|---|
| Liability (BI & PD) | Injury and property damage you cause to others |
| Physical damage | Collision and comprehensive on your own vehicles |
| Medical payments / PIP | Injuries to you and passengers (PIP required in FL) |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist | Your costs when the at-fault driver isn't covered |
| Hired & non-owned auto | Liability for rented vehicles and employees' personal cars used for work |
| Cargo / equipment (opt.) | Goods, tools, and equipment you transport |
Washington and Florida specifics
Florida's no-fault system requires PIP on commercial vehicles just as it does personal ones, and commercial vehicle liability limits often need to be higher to satisfy contracts. Washington's at-fault system makes robust liability and uninsured-motorist limits especially important given the number of uninsured drivers on the road. For businesses with vehicles that cross state lines or operate under DOT authority, additional filings and higher limits may apply — we handle those requirements.
Illustrative annual commercial auto premium per vehicle
Fleet and single-vehicle options
Whether you have one work truck or a fleet of twenty, we structure coverage to fit. Fleet policies simplify administration and can earn volume efficiencies, while single-vehicle policies keep costs proportional for smaller operations. We also coordinate commercial auto with your general liability and workers' comp so an on-the-job accident is handled cleanly across policies.
Why buy commercial auto through Maru
We make sure your business vehicles are properly titled and covered, add hired and non-owned auto so employee errands don't become uninsured liabilities, meet the exact limits your contracts and any DOT filings require, and bundle the whole program for efficiency. When a certificate naming a client as additional insured is needed, we turn it around fast.
Frequently asked questions
Why won't my personal auto policy cover business use?
Do I need commercial auto if employees use their own cars for work?
Does Florida require PIP on commercial vehicles?
How much does commercial auto insurance cost?
Can you provide a certificate of insurance for my commercial auto policy?
Licensed independent insurance agent · WA & FL
Written and reviewed by a licensed Maru advisor. Maru Insurance is an independent agency (License #22261820) representing multiple A-rated carriers across Washington and Florida.
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