Start with how the operation works
Contractors need responsive protection that follows their people and equipment from the office to each active job site. For commercial auto, commercial auto planning matches vehicles, drivers, use, radius, and contracts to the business’s real road exposure.
Operating details to document
- Trade, revenue, payroll, and project mix
- Largest project, territory, and subcontracted percentage
- Contracts, certificates, equipment, and vehicle schedules
Coverage details to review
- Owned vehicle liability and physical damage
- Hired and non-owned auto exposure
- Driver eligibility, vehicle use, and operating radius
- Cargo, mobile equipment, or special vehicle considerations
Connect Risk Controls to the Coverage Review
A useful review goes beyond selecting a policy name. It connects current information to eligibility, policy structure, and the consequences of a significant loss.
- Match controls to the operation's most severe loss scenarios
- Assign responsibility and document inspections, training, and maintenance
- Track corrective action instead of relying on informal practices
Job-site injury and property damage
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Tools and mobile equipment loss
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Contractual and completed-operations claims
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Owned vehicle liability and physical damage
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Hired and non-owned auto exposure
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Driver eligibility, vehicle use, and operating radius
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Cargo, mobile equipment, or special vehicle considerations
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Information to have ready
- Trade, revenue, payroll, and project mix
- Largest project, territory, and subcontracted percentage
- Contracts, certificates, equipment, and vehicle schedules
- Vehicle schedule with use and stated values
- Driver list and driving-record review process
- Operating radius and typical destinations
- Personal, rented, borrowed, and employee-owned vehicle use
Questions for the coverage review
Do contracts require endorsements or higher limits?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
How is subcontracted work controlled and documented?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
Which completed operations could produce a severe claim?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
Who may drive on behalf of the business?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
Are vehicles taken home or used personally?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Who should use this contractors commercial auto guide?
Business owners and insurance buyers can use it to prepare for a focused review of loss prevention. It is educational guidance, not a quote or a substitute for policy terms.
What information should a contractors account gather first?
Start with trade, revenue, payroll, and project mix, largest project, territory, and subcontracted percentage, contracts, certificates, equipment, and vehicle schedules, plus currently valued loss information when available.
Coverage descriptions are general. Eligibility, availability, limits, deductibles, exclusions, and policy terms vary by risk and market. Review actual policy documents with an appropriate insurance professional.