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Commercial Auto and Fleet Coverage Nova Scotia
Collisions, car accidents, or unexpected damages to a vehicle can happen to anyone without warning – and drivers of commercial vehicles typically face greater risks than others on the road because they usually drive longer distances and haul expensive materials and equipment.
For a self-employed general contractor in a small town like Amherst, a restaurant owner in a midsized municipality like Truro, or the owner of a moving company in a large city such as Halifa, your business vehicles are critical assets that need to be protected.
Trust Zensurance – Canada’s leading source for small business insurance – to find the policy you need at an affordable price.
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Auto Insurance
Also called business car or auto insurance, commercial auto insurance covers the cost of your company’s vehicle or any vehicle used for business purposes from damage and loss, including cars, pickup trucks, vans, and trailers. It also includes coverage for driver injuries.
A standard or basic commercial auto insurance policy consists of four mandatory coverages. They are:
- Third-Party Liability
Third-party liability coverage covers you if you injure another driver or damage their property with your vehicle. The minimum mandatory coverage limit is $200,000 for any one accident, but choosing a higher coverage amount is recommended.
- Direct Compensation-Property Damage
Protection for damages to and loss of use of your vehicle and its contents if another motorist is at fault for an accident or collision that you collect directly from your insurance provider.
- Accident Benefits
Accident benefits cover you and your passengers’ medical and rehabilitation bills if injured in an accident. It also includes funeral expenses, loss of income benefits, and death benefits if you or your driver are killed in an accident.
- Uninsured Auto
If you’re injured and your vehicle is damaged by an uninsured motorist or because of a hit-and-run accident, this coverage pays for damages to your vehicle and covers the cost of your physical injuries.
Optional coverages:
- Collision or upset
Collision coverage pays for damages to your vehicle when you are at fault for an accident with another vehicle or if you hit a stationary object.
- Comprehensive
Covers the cost of a broad range of damage and loss to your vehicle, including theft, vandalism, fire, hail and severe weather, and flying or falling objects.
- All perils
All perils insurance is a combination of collision and comprehensive coverages.
- Employers’ Hired and Non-Owned Auto Liability
Coverage for vehicles your business does not own but rents or leases or vehicles owned by your employees used for business purposes.
If your business regularly stores customer vehicles, you may require a garage liability insurance policy.
What your commercial auto policy costs depends on a variety of factors insurance providers consider, including:
- The make, model, and year of the vehicle you drive
- The location of your business
- Your driving record and years of experience as a motorist
- The number of kilometres the vehicle travels annually
- Where the vehicle is regularly parked or stored
- What the vehicle is used for (transporting goods, people, or both)
- Your business’s auto insurance claims history
- What your policy’s coverages are, their limits, and the deductibles
Commercial auto insurance is designed to protect one vehicle. A commercial fleet insurance policy covers five or more vehicles. Both types of coverage apply to vehicles owned by businesses or self-employed contractors.
Coverage Requirements in Nova Scotia
According to the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation’s ‘Motor Vehicle Act’, among the standards all owners of commercial vehicles operating in the province are required by law to fulfill and uphold include:
- All business vehicles and trailers must be registered in the province and undergo an annual safety inspection. Approved vehicles and trailers must display an approved safety inspection sticker.
- All business vehicles must have a valid commercial auto insurance policy containing the mandatory coverages and limits set by the province.
- Your business’s commercial vehicle must have a valid motor vehicle permit and licence plates.
- Business owners and self-employed operators must regularly inspect, repair, and maintain their vehicles to ensure they are roadworthy.
- No commercial vehicle’s licence plate shall be missing, damaged, faded, or discoloured.
Commercial Auto Claims Examples
Problem: While stopped at a busy intersection in downtown Dartmouth, another motorist accidentally rear-ends your pickup truck, damaging the bumper and rear-view video camera.
Outcome: Your commercial auto insurance policy’s direct compensation-property damage coverage may pay for the repairs to your pickup.
Problem: While parked in your retail store’s designated parking spot overnight in New Glasgow, a powerful windstorm rips a branch off a large tree nearby that lands on your SUV, causing significant damage.
Outcome: Your commercial auto insurance policy’s optional comprehensive insurance may pay to repair your SUV.
Problem: An employee of a moving and storage company in Antigonish runs a red light and collides with another vehicle entering the intersection. Your employee is deemed to be at fault for the collision.
Outcome: Your commercial fleet vehicle insurance policy’s optional collision coverage may pay to repair the damage to the other motorist’s vehicle.
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Getting your business vehicle covered with a commercial auto insurance policy tailored to your needs is quick, easy, and affordable through Zensurance.
If you have questions about commercial auto insurance or business fleet vehicle insurance, our friendly brokers can answer your questions and advise you on the types of coverage and limits your policy should have.