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Your Personal Car for Your Business If you are using your own car for company business, or if you own your own company, there are many insurance questions that pertain to you. You should be informed whether it is your personal auto insurance policy or the company's policy that covers you if you are in an accident while out doing business. If you own your own company, you should know whether or not you need to take out a commercial insurance policy, or whether your own personal policy can cover you. If you travel for the company you are employed with, it is important to know whether the company has insurance to cover the vehicles you rent. While all of this information is specific to the circumstance of your employment, here are some things to keep in mind. When traveling on business, if you need to rent a car, make sure that the company name is on the reservation. Inform the rental service that you are using the car on business, that way if you are in an accident the service will know to contact your employer's insurance agency, not your own. Your company may only cover the cost of the accident if it is found that the accident occurred while you were working, in case you are using the rental car for both business and pleasure. It is important to know whether your own personal auto insurance policy has rental coverage. If you are in an accident that your business will not cover, your rental policy will cover the cost of the claim. If you are employed at a large company, it is likely that they have commercial auto insurance to cover their vehicles and employees. While your own personal insurance will most likely cover you in an accident while traveling for business in your own car, often these commercial policies will pay first, so it is important that you get all the information from your employer when driving your own car for work. If there is an accident, it is important to know who you contact at your company's insurance provider. It is always best to make the claim on your employer's insurance policy to avoid claims on your personal record. Even if you contact your own provider first after the accident, let the adjuster know that the accident occurred while you were out on business. This may lead to your provider trying to recoup some of the expenses from your company's insurer. It is a good idea to bulk up your own personal auto insurance coverage if you use your personal car for work. If part of your job requires you to constantly make calls while driving from place to place, it is a good idea to obtain higher levels of liability coverage. Some jobs compensate you directly for use of your car, such as delivery services, in which case you should definitely purchase extra coverage. It is important to mention to your insurance agent if you use your personal car for business of any kind, to protect you in the event that you need to file a claim. Some people use their personal automobile so extensively for business that it makes sense to buy a commercial insurance policy. When purchasing this policy, talk to your agent and gather different rates from multiple companies. When insuring cars for a business you own, it is best to consult with your agent as to whether your personal policy covers the cars you use for work. You may need to insure non-owned cars with your personal policy, or you may find that it is best to buy a commercial insurance policy. Looking for auto insurance ? Check out www.getagreatrate.com or www.greatcarinsurancerates.com. |
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