Commercial auto insurance is crucial for businesses that have or use vehicles for work purposes. If you have trucks or company vehicles, you will need commercial auto insurance to cover potential accidents. The coverage available under your commercial auto insurance policy is similar to that which you find on your personal auto insurance policy. The main difference is that the driver of a commercial vehicle isn’t always the policyholder.  

It is important that the policyholder and drivers know what to do if they have to file a claim for an accident. 

Document Everything. 

The employer must be able to offer as much information about the accident as possible. The when, where, how and who is critical. Employees involved in an accident should keep record of the accident and report immediately to their employer after receiving medical attention as necessary. This will help the claims process. 

Have the Vehicle Inspected 

Any time a commercial vehicle is involved in an accident, it should be inspected by a professional. This can give you an idea of the damages and costs of repairs. If the cost of repairs amount to less than the cost of your commercial auto insurance deductible, you may not want to bother filing an auto insurance claim. On the other hand, if the cost of repairs are significantly higher than the price of your deductible, you may want to file a claim for compensation. 

Contact Your Insurance Agent and Review Your Policy 

Double check the coverage available on your commercial auto insurance policy to make sure that the damages (and injuries) are covered. Commercial auto insurance policies often have the same exclusions and limitations as personal auto insurance policies. Once the vehicle has been appraised and the policy reviewed, contact your insurance agent. Provide them with as much information as possible, including pictures and a police report, if filed. This will help determine fault of the accident (if your business operates within a fault state) and how much compensation your business is entitled to. 

Timely File Your Claim 

There is usually a time period in which you must file a claim to be entitled to compensation. It varies per policy, but it is generally within 30 days after the accident occurs when you must file a claim. Waiting too long can cause your claim to be denied and compensation for damages or injuries withheld. 

All drivers should be trained for what to do in case of an accident. Speak with your insurance agent if you have any questions about your commercial auto insurance policy.