Many businesses depend on cars and other vehicles for visiting clients, making deliveries, and other business errands. When you or your employees are on the road for work in Louisiana, it can expose your business to significant liability risks. A commercial car insurance policy can help you stay covered.
Here’s what you need to know about commercial auto insurance in Louisiana, including who needs it and why, what it costs, and how to find the right policy for your needs.
Commercial auto insurance in Louisiana generally costs between $260 and $1,410 per month, depending on the size of your vehicle fleet and more.
Progressive, State Farm, and Travelers are a few of the best business auto insurance companies in Louisiana.
Commercial truck insurance for tractors and other large trucks can sometimes require separate, specialized liability coverage.
Commercial car insurance requirements in Louisiana
Louisiana business owners need liability coverage for commercial vehicle use. You’ll need commercial coverage if your business owns a fleet of box trucks, you drive for a rideshare company, or you just make occasional work-related trips in your personal vehicle.
Business auto insurance is important because personal auto policies often exclude work-related activity.1 And even if your personal policy covers you while at work, the liability coverage may be insufficient.
Louisiana’s minimum limits for auto insurance liability include the following:2
Bodily injury liability: $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
These auto insurance requirements apply to all Louisiana vehicles. But they may not be high enough to cover damages in the event of an accident. Once damages exceed the liability coverage limits on your personal policy, your business may face a lawsuit to cover the rest. It’s a good idea to purchase higher liability limits and additional coverage.
Large trucks, semitrucks, limousines, and specific business activities often require special endorsements or separate policies for full coverage.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also requires businesses to purchase higher amounts of commercial vehicle insurance for vehicles that cross state lines. These required limits range from $750,000 to $5 million, depending on the cargo and vehicle types in your fleet.3
Optional commercial auto insurance coverages
Optional coverages for commercial vehicle insurance are similar to the add-ons you’ll find in a standard personal auto policy:
Do you need commercial car insurance in Louisiana?
If you never drive for work or use a car for any business activity, you probably don’t need a commercial car insurance policy.
But if you use a car during any period of your active workday, you should consider a commercial auto liability insurance policy. This applies if your business owns its own car or if you or your employees frequently use personal cars on business errands.
Let’s say you’re a baker who delivers your bread to restaurants. If you or an employee has an accident while you’re making deliveries, the driver’s personal car insurance probably won’t cover the accident. And even if it does, your bakery could face a lawsuit for damages.
If you primarily use your car as a work vehicle, you should probably get a business auto policy to cover you while you’re driving.
Best commercial car insurance companies in Louisiana
The best insurer will depend on your coverage needs, as well as your fleet size, vehicle types, and more. Here are three of the best commercial auto insurers in Louisiana.
Progressive: Best for trucks and trailers
State Farm: Best for customer service
Travelers: Best for large companies and fleets
Our editorial team analyzed regional and national auto insurance companies that sell commercial policies in Louisiana to assess which offer the best rates, coverage options, customer service, and savings to drivers. We prioritized competitive rates, 24/7 customer service, and specialty or supplemental coverages.
Average cost of commercial car insurance in Louisiana
Louisiana commercial car insurance costs between $260 and $1,410 per month on average, according to Insurify data. Your auto insurance company sets premiums based on the risks associated with your type of business, the number of vehicles you have, the value of your vehicles, and other factors.
The more time you spend on the road for your business, the more you’ll have to pay. Van insurance and fleet insurance, along with liability coverage for box trucks and other larger, more expensive vehicles, will demand higher premiums.
Commercial truck insurance for semitrucks and long-haul businesses sometimes requires separate, specialized liability coverage.
What business owners should know about commercial auto insurance in Louisiana
Commercial auto insurance is generally more expensive than a personal liability policy because of its higher liability coverage limits.
You should tailor your liability coverage to the risks involved in your business operations, whether you have a large fleet, work with inexperienced drivers, or put heavy mileage on your cars.
Liability coverage usually doesn’t apply to situations where you’re intoxicated, breaking the law, or using your work vehicle for personal use.
If an accident occurs, you’ll initiate a claim with your insurance company online or over the phone. To file the claim, you fill out the necessary paperwork documenting the incident. Soon after, the insurance company will review your claim and pay it out, minus your deductible, if it approves the claim.
Keep in mind that since it’s a business expense, you may be able to deduct premiums for your commercial auto insurance policy from your taxes.4
How to get commercial car insurance in Louisiana
If you’ve determined that your business needs commercial auto insurance, follow these steps to buy a policy:
Evaluate your insurance needs. This process will be different for each business. The scope of coverage and liability limits that are right for you will depend on the frequency and purpose of your vehicle use, the number of vehicles involved, and other factors.
Research insurers. Take some time to learn about the companies that offer commercial auto insurance in your area. Their reputations will vary, and so will premiums, add-ons, customer service, and other attributes.
Compare quotes. Don’t just buy the first policy you see. Make sure you get quotes from at least three insurance companies before you purchase a business auto policy.
Read your declarations page and discuss your new policy with an agent. Once you’re on the verge of purchasing a business auto liability policy, inspect it thoroughly. Make sure you understand the policy terms and coverage exclusions.
Put your insurance cards inside your vehicle. Always drive with proof of liability coverage close at hand.
Commercial auto insurance in Louisiana FAQs
The following information can help answer your remaining questions about Louisiana commercial auto insurance.
How much does commercial car insurance cost in Louisiana?
Commercial car insurance in Louisiana costs between $260 and $1,410 per month, on average. Premiums vary based on a number of factors relating to your business’s vehicle use, including frequency, the size of your fleet, and the risk involved.
What are the requirements for commercial auto insurance in Louisiana?
Every vehicle in Louisiana needs to have liability auto insurance. The state’s minimum liability coverage limits include $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage and $25,000 in property damage liability coverage.
Which company has the best commercial auto insurance?
Progressive, State Farm, and Travelers are a few of the best Louisiana commercial car insurance companies. But insurance companies have different strengths that match them well with different businesses, so it’s always important to compare quotes.
Is commercial auto insurance worth it?
Commercial car insurance could save your business from a catastrophic lawsuit. And personal car insurance policies generally don’t cover business activities. If your business owns vehicles, you legally have to purchase commercial auto insurance.
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