Commercial auto Insurance

[Tim]

Sorry for all the questions, but want to get started correctly.
Commercial auto insurance -- do I need it just starting out? Checked on getting it, but already ran into a snag: crossing a state line. Realizing that finding PW insurance hard enough, but finding one that will insure across state lines, virtually impossible. Anyone else run into this problem? Any suggestions or ideas? Do I have to get a separate policy from state I'm working in?

Thanks in advance,
Tim

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Tim Srader
X-Stream Kleen

 

[Jon]

Tim,

This has been covered pretty well not that long ago.

Go to search and type in Insurance, you should get a ton of reading on it.

If you need help let one of us know and perhaps we can bring it back up for you.

Dan Flynn are you reading this? can you direct Tim right to that post?

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Jon Fleischer
Oasis Pressure Cleaning
(909) 792-2247
Fax (909) 792-5633

 

[Tim]

Jon,
Thanks for the response, but I asked about commercial auto insurance, NOT power washing insurance. Have already spoken with several agents about biz insurance, but am having problem with auto insurance covering me crossing into another state. Was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and how they handled it? Also wondered if commercial insurance requires CDL license? Or do I even need to have commercial auto insurance when just starting out?

Thanks

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Tim Srader
X-Stream Kleen

 

[Jon]

Tim,

I am covered by the Auto club and can go to any state and am covered, now if I cross over the border I need some sort of coverage that is short term.

Don't need any commercial driver's license, from what I understand if your issuing state does not require one then it is accepted in other states.

I am not an expert on this but find it hard to believe they are not willing to cover you.

Is your rig an all in one like Jim and Shirley's or do you tow a trailer?

I do know for the most part the size/weight determines if you need a CDL or some sort of endorsement. Did you check with your motor vehicle department on that aspect?

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Jon Fleischer
Oasis Pressure Cleaning
(909) 792-2247
Fax (909) 792-5633

 

[Glenn]

Tim,
No commercial drivers license required unless your vehicle requires it. Check on a BAP (business auto policy) also you will probably need commercial license on your vehicle if your combined weight of trailer, equipment and truck exceeds your states limit for passenger vehicles.
Glenn

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"Hmmm, If everyone has a photographic memory... mine must be out of film."

 

[Cody]

<FONT COLOR="e87400">Tim,, You don't need a commercail lic.

This should be real easy for you man,, you may be making it difficult on yourself, just go tell your insurance rep (the one you have for your personal conveyance) that you want to insure your work truck. Simple. As long as it's not in excess of 33k GRVW you're in there.

Cody</FONT c>

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<FONT COLOR="e87400">
Hydro-Emulsification Surface Preparation Specialist </FONT c>

 

[JR Wood]

I use the same insurance company for both business and vehicles.My insurance is based on 50/50 work in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.I have three vehicles and two of them are listed for business use.Because of having New Jersey listed, my insurance is a bit higher for two of the vehicles.The problem is different states have different rates so they have to calculate that in,but I didn't have any trouble at all getting the insurance.It is Erie ins. if anyone wanted to know.

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<FONT size="1"><FONT COLOR="Black">J.R WOOD POWER WASHING*1-800-782-9919
ABACUS DECK CARE*1-866-7-ABACUS
J&B SNOW PLOW*1-973-328-6650
SHOWCASE LAWNS OF NEW JERSEY*1-866-SHOCASE</FONT s></FONT c>

<FONT size="2"><FONT COLOR="red">
DID SOMEONE SAY DIVERSIFY?</FONT s></FONT c>

 

[TONY ELL]

I have my auto ins for my trucks thru Progressive Ins. they are a very good company. I pay $325 for 6 months. That is on two 1 ton trucks. I agree with Cody, your making this much harder than it is. If you have all your business and personal vehicles insured with the same insurer then maybe you could get a discount. I also have my business liablity thru the same company.

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[Tim]

Hey y'all.
Thanks for the information, suggestions, and experiences.
Hey Cody & Tony:
I didn't realize that the question sounded like I was "making it harder than it really is." I was only trying not to ask a DUMB question, which I've always thought was the one NOT asked! I was advised to use the search option to look up this subject ("which has been covered many times"), but didn't find an answer that dealt specifically with my situation so I thought I'd query other board members. This was in an effort to see if anyone else had experienced any problems obtaining multi-state insurance coverage. Maybe I didn't fully explain my plight. Here it is in detail:
I called a local insurance company (broker) to get commercial auto insurance on my truck. Presently, I only have one vehicle, so it will also be my personal day-to-day driving vehicle as well. The personal insurance carrier I have now is based out of Pennsylvania, so thought I'd call locally to have more personal and quicker(?) response in case of a claim. They advised me that they had a company who would insure me as long as I worked in my home state. But, if I crossed into any another state to do business, I WOULD NOT be covered. Another problem is that if I place commercial auto insurance on my (personal) truck, friends and relatives COULD NOT use it (weekend moving, etc) unless they too are placed on the policy. Still sound like I'm "making it harder than it really is?"
Now, I have considered ways to alleviate this problem: have two vehicles--one for work, one for personal--which, just starting out, I can't afford; the other (very risky) way is to work my business under my personal auto insurance, and pray I NEVER have a claim. As I intend to be a legitimate business, I want to be both legally and professionally correct, and not another one of the "negative PW biz examples" about which everyone comments and complains.
I realize that this means a decision, which for me, is as an easy one to make. Just thought I'd find out what others had done.
Thanks to everyone who has helped me (and other "Newbies") start out relatively well-informed. And a BIG thank you to Dan for providing the medium by which everyone can keep abreast of the changing times.
Meanwhile...........back to the phones.

PS - JR.....could you email the info on that company to me? Would like to speak with them. Thanks.

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Tim Srader
X-Stream Kleen