Why your horticultural business needs commercial auto insurance

A commercial auto insurance policy consists of several types of insurance coverages that can help protect your vehicles, your assets, and your business.

It covers vehicles your horticulture business owns, rents, or leases. It also provides protection if you or your employees drive your own vehicles for business, or drive company cars for business and personal purposes.

Here are five important commercial auto coverages and how they help protect your business:

Collision auto insurance helps cover damage to your driver’s vehicle when they hit (or are hit by) another vehicle, or if the vehicle collides with a fixed object.

Comprehensive auto insurance helps cover damage caused by something other than a crash—such as falling tree limbs, hail, and even fire.

If there’s an accident and another driver, passenger, or pedestrian is hurt or killed, bodily injury liability insurance provides protection for judgments if you or your driver are at fault.

If you or one of your drivers cause damage to someone else’s property, liability coverage helps protect your business if you’re found liable for the accident.

You likely insure your business vehicles, but not all drivers do the same. Uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverages help with expenses that would’ve been paid by an at-fault driver who doesn’t have any—or enough—insurance.

Commercial auto insurance has a lot of variables. Talk with your insurance provider about available options and what works best for you. In the meantime, here are answers to a few frequently asked questions about commercial auto coverage.

As with all insurance coverage options, cost depends on the size and scope of your business operations, where your business is located, and the limits you set for each. Your insurance provider can help you establish adequate coverage that’s affordable for your business.

It depends on the nature of your business, the type and amount of driving your employees do, and your risk appetite.

Different driving tasks need different commercial auto policy coverages, so it’s a good idea to work with your insurance provider so they can help you select the coverages that make sense for your business.

Yes. Commercial auto insurance policies feature coverage for your business not covered under a personal auto insurance policy. If you get in an accident but don't have commercial auto insurance, you might find yourself facing bills you can’t pay, or lose a vehicle you rely on for your business.

Commercial auto insurance is also a requirement in every state except New Hampshire and Virginia. Even in the two states where it isn’t required, drivers can still be held liable for damages.

• You have a vehicle titled to your business

• You employ full- or part-time delivery drivers

• You drive to and from worksites for day-to-day tasks

• You haul tools, equipment, or products used for work

Whether caused by bad weather, a distracted driver, or something else, accidents happen. For small garden centers, greenhouses, nurseries, and floral shops, protecting your business by minimizing risk with a commercial auto insurance policy is a cost-effective way to help keep your vehicles on the road and your jobs on schedule.

At Hortica®, we’re committed to helping your drivers protect themselves and other drivers on the road. We’ve provided insurance solutions to horticultural businesses since 1887 and understand your diverse needs. To learn more about the varied requirements and the value of a commercial auto policy, contact us.