A business is only as safe as the tools it uses. One of the best tools a business can use to protect its assets is commercial auto insurance.

Understanding insurance can be tricky. One of the first steps toward making an informed decision is to understand coverage and service options. Here are three easy steps to help figure out your commercial auto insurance needs:

 1. Choose an insurer with the right combination of price and service. Insurance isn’t just about price. It’s about service, too. How are claims handled? How long will it take to get your vehicle back on the road? Can you get questions answered outside of business hours or online? Know the answers to these questions. Your time is money.

 2. Research your policy options. Having the right coverage is important. A standard commercial auto policy generally includes coverage for:

•injuries or damage that you cause;
•your driver’s injuries;
•injuries and damages caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers; and
•damage to or theft of your vehicle(s).

When it comes to damage that you cause, you may be required to purchase certain limits based on who you work for. For instance, if you work for certain home builders, you may be required to carry $1 million in liability limits. Consider how much you are willing to pay out of pocket if your liability in an accident is more than your policy limits.

3. Know how the policy is priced. You can control your insurance costs. To get the best rates, run motor vehicle reports on potential drivers. If you let your insurance lapse, you’ll probably pay more for your next policy. Ask about discounts, including paid-in-full and renewal discounts. 

Just like your customers rely on your professional skills, call a professional independent insurance agent who will be in your corner, researching and recommending the best options.

“Commercial auto insurance is complicated, but it is vital to protecting your livelihood,” says Bill Kampf with The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, one of the largest commercial auto insurers in the country.

For more information about commercial auto insurance, visit http://aig.home.texas.net/commercialformold.html. Or call one of our Texas Authorized Progressive agents at 1-800-929-3166.
 
 
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Ever mowed a lawn in January? Or plowed a snowy driveway on a hot July day? If you own and operate a seasonal business, chances are you aren't working in the off-season, so the insurance you carry should be different than what you carry in-season.

Leading commercial auto insurers like Progressive offer seasonal insurance for businesses like landscapers, snowplow drivers, ice cream truck owners, and more. These coverages allow you to customize your commercial auto insurance based on when your business is running on all cylinders — and when it's not.
Progressive offers these tips for getting the most out of your policy in the off-season:
  • If your vehicle will be parked during the off-season, you may think you should cancel that vehicle's insurance during that time. But if you’d like to protect your vehicle and still save a little money, just switch your insurance to a Comprehensive-only policy. This will give you basic protection against incidents like vandalism, theft, falling tree branches and hail.

    A Comprehensive-only policy also gives you the bonus of having continuous insurance coverage. If you drop your insurance completely, you may pay significantly more to get a new policy when in-season rolls around because most insurance companies want to see proof of continuous coverage.
  • If you plan to drive your work truck or other vehicles for personal use during the off-season, let your insurance carrier know. They can adjust your policy to reflect personal use, which can be less expensive while still providing coverage.
A local independent agent can help you determine which coverages are right for you and your business.  Call today or fill out our online form here.
 
 
1. MAKE SURE YOUR AGENT HAS THE CORRECT RATING INFORMATION.  Accurate vehicle ID numbers, correct birthdates, etc.

2. MAKE SURE, IF THE AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY IS USING CREDIT, THEY ARE USING AN UP-TO-DATE CREDIT REPORT.  Anybody can get a small glitch on their credit from time to time. If that has happened to you, you should insist that your agent recalculate your rates when your credit score improves. NOTE: Some Texas insurance companies in Texas do not rate based on your credit, therefore, this will not always apply.

Get a CLUE!  Access your CLUE report via the Internet at Choicetrust.com

3. MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY UNWISE COVERAGES ON YOUR POLICY.  Some coverages are a poor buying decision due to the small amount that can be paid out under them... especially when you consider the huge potential increase in monthly premium you might have to pay because you used the coverage.

4. MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETTING ALL THE INSURANCE DISCOUNTS YOU ARE ENTITLED TO.  Ask your agent about available discounts including multi-policy, homeowners, good grades, paying in full, etc. 

5. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AS LARGE A DEDUCTIBLE AS YOU CAN STAND.  If you have not had an auto or home insurance claim in years, why not raise your deductible, which is the portion of any claim you pay for damage before the insurance company pays anything. By raising your deductible, you can often save enough in a year or two to completely self-insure the difference in the deductibles. 

6. MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT CARRYING ANY DUPLICATE COVERAGES.  "Uninsured Motorists Property Damage" pays for damage to your car ONLY if it is caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, or a hit and run driver, and it has a $250 deductible.  However, if you have "Collision" coverage, it already pays for damage to your car, regardless of whether it is caused by you or someone else, whether they are insured or not (assuming you didn't damage your car intentionally). The only additional benefit would be a lower deductible (if your deductible is above $250), and some coverage for a rental car.

7. MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR AUTO AND HOME INSURANCE WITH THE SAME COMPANY, OR AT LEAST THE SAME AGENCY.
By doing so you will typically realize a reduction in rates on both policies. While comparing, look at the combined auto and home insurance rates to determine which agency provides you with the best overall price.

8. MAKE SURE YOU DO BUSINESS WITH AN AGENT THAT CAN COMPARE YOUR RATES WITH MANY TOP-RATED COMPANIES AND ONE WHO REVIEWS YOUR COVERAGES ON A REGULAR BASIS.  Some agents only offer insurance from one carrier. If you are insured with a multiple carrier agent, you will have more choices.

Just remember...keeping your coverages up to date can save you money.  Austin Insurance Group, your Authorized Progressive Agent, will get you covered correctly at a very competitive price with a stable and sound company. It could mean more money in your pocket and greater peace of mind if you have a loss.

Why not contact our office right now to review your current policy. You will be glad you did.

Austin Insurance Group | ProgressiveNow.com
512-339-2900 | 1-800-929-3166 | Fax 512-339-0169 | email: aig@texas.net
 
 
If the insurance company won’t pay, get the denial in writing.  When you don’t understand their reason for denial, ask for clarification. Then read your insurance policy. The denial could be an error or, perhaps, it's written in the “fine print” of your policy. 

If you still believe coverage has been wrongfully denied, you have certain rights under your policy and under state law and your insurance company has a duty to fairly and promptly settle your claim in good faith.

Steps you can take if coverage has been wrongfully denied:

1. Provide the insurance company documentation to support your response.
2. File a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance.
3. You may need to consult an attorney to make sure they are not erroneously denying your claim.
4. Sue the insurance company, if necessary, for bad faith, breach of contract, and/or violations of your state’s insurance code.
5. If the insurance company realizes its mistake, or you are correct in that the adjuster made an error, they will reopen your claim and move forward with their investigation.  

NOTE: If your claim is with the insurance company for the other driver involved in the car accident, and you feel you have been wrongfully denied, be persistent.  Get your own insurance company involved.  File a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance.  And, if necessary, you may need an attorney to either negotiate a  settlement for you or to file suit against the responsible driver. 
 
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