Coverage to protect your business cars, trucks, and other vehicles.
Business auto insurance customized to your business.
Whether you have one vehicle or a whole fleet, we can help you implement custom coverage that will protect your business and personal assets from the additional exposure that commercial vehicles bring with them.
A business auto insurance policy is different from a personal car insurance policy. C.T. Lowndes & Company offers comprehensive commercial auto insurance options designed to help keep South Carolina businesses covered on the road.
Whether you’re transporting tools to a job site or delivering goods across town, your business deserves an auto insurance policy that works as hard as you do.
Get your custom commercial auto insurance quote today from C.T. Lowndes & Co.
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Liability Coverage
Risk Factor
Being involved in a covered accident can result in legal exposures and damages, potentially leading to costly legal battles and financial liabilities.
Solution
Liability Coverage protects you from costs like legal liability, accident-related injuries, or accident-based damage in the event of a covered accident.
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage
Risk Factor
At-fault accidents can result in severe bodily harm to others, imposing a heavy financial burden due to medical expenses and potential legal costs.
Solution
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage can ease the financial strain by covering expenses related to bodily harm or death from an at-fault accident, typically including legal costs.
Property Damage Liability Coverage
Risk Factor
Unintentional damage to someone else's property caused by your vehicle can lead to significant repair costs and financial liability.
Solution
Property Damage Liability Coverage protects you by covering the costs if your vehicle unintentionally causes damage to another person's property.
Medical Payments Coverage
Risk Factor
Accidents can result in medical expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of who is at fault, leading to unexpected financial burdens.
Solution
Medical Payments Coverage helps pay for these medical expenses, providing financial relief after a covered accident.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Risk Factor
Injuries and property damage caused by uninsured or hit-and-run drivers can leave you without adequate compensation, leading to financial hardship.
Solution
Uninsured Motorist Coverage protects you from these risks, covering injuries and property damage, and often includes underinsured motorist coverage for cases where the at-fault driver's insurance is insufficient.
Comprehensive Physical Damage Coverage
Risk Factor
Non-collision incidents like theft, vandalism, flood, or fire can cause significant damage to your vehicle, resulting in expensive repairs or replacement.
Solution
Comprehensive Physical Damage Coverage compensates for such damages, offering financial protection against these non-collision risks.
Collision Coverage
Risk Factor
Collisions with other objects can cause extensive damage to your vehicle, leading to costly repairs.
Solution
Collision Coverage pays for the damage to your vehicle in the event of a collision, alleviating the financial impact of such incidents.
What Is Business Auto Insurance?
Business auto insurance (also known as commercial auto insurance) is a specialized insurance policy that insures vehicles used for business purposes. Unlike personal auto policies, this type of policy provides coverage for situations and risks that go beyond the scope of regular personal auto insurance.
If your vehicle is registered to your business, used to transport goods, equipment, or clients, or driven by employees, it needs a commercial auto policy, not a personal auto policy.
Who Needs It?
Any business that owns, leases, or uses vehicles for work likely needs commercial auto insurance. That includes, but is not limited to:
- Professional services
- Contractors driving light trucks or vans to worksites
- Landscapers hauling equipment
- Real estate professionals transporting clients
- Delivery services
- Service-based businesses using company vehicles
- Sales teams on the road visiting clients
- Any small business that relies on transportation for operations
- Trash removal fleets
Even if your personal vehicle doubles for business use, your personal auto coverage may not provide coverage in the event of an accident. Don’t assume. Get the right commercial auto policy and protect your business.
What Does It Cover?
A commercial auto insurance policy is more than just basic auto coverage. It exists to offer coverage for the specific risks your business faces. Here’s what a standard policy may include:
Liability Coverage
Covers bodily injury and property damage (physical damage coverage), up to the policy limits, you cause to others and their vehicles while using your business vehicle. This also includes legal fees and liability costs if you’re sued.
Collision Coverage
Pays for damage to your vehicle caused by a collision with another vehicle or object, regardless of fault.
Comprehensive Coverage
Covers damages from non-collision incidents like theft, vandalism, fire, falling objects, or glass.
Medical Payments Coverage / Personal Injury Protection
Helps cover medical expenses, medical bills, and lost wages for you and your passengers, regardless of fault.
Uninsured Motorists / Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Protects your business owned vehicles if you’re hit by a driver with too little or no insurance.
Rental Reimbursement
Covers the cost of a rental car while your company owned vehicles are being repaired.
The exact commercial auto insurance coverage you need depends on your vehicle type, business use, and number of company vehicles. Talk to an agent to explore the right coverage options for your operation.
What Affects Commercial Auto Insurance Cost?
There’s no one-size-fits-all pricing. Your commercial auto insurance cost depends on a few factors:
- Number and type of vehicles
- Driving history and driving records of employees
- Nature of the business and its operations
- Auto liability and coverage limits selected
- Location and claims history
- Whether your vehicles are used across state lines
The cost varies, but C.T. Lowndes helps South Carolina businesses find competitive commercial auto insurance rates without compromising protection.
Get a Business Auto Insurance Quote
For more than 175 years, C.T. Lowndes & Company has helped South Carolina’s small businesses and large enterprises secure the commercial auto insurance they need to operate safely and confidently. With a 4.8-star customer satisfaction rating, we take pride in providing business insurance solutions that deliver real value.
Whether you’re adding a single business vehicle or managing a fleet of commercial vehicles, we’ll help guide you to the best coverage for your needs, without the guesswork.
Ready to protect your company’s vehicles?
Request a commercial auto insurance quote from C.T. Lowndes & Co. now.
Business Auto Insurance FAQs
I drive my car for DoorDash/Uber. Can I use my personal auto policy for that?
Probably not. Most personal auto insurance policies exclude coverage for delivery or rideshare work. If you’re using your car to transport food, passengers, or goods for income, you likely need commercial auto insurance. Talk to an agent to avoid unexpected claim denials.
Do I need commercial auto insurance if I’m self-employed?
If you use your vehicle for business purposes, like driving to job sites, hauling equipment, or meeting clients, then you may need a commercial auto policy. Even if you’re the only employee, personal car insurance may not provide coverage in a work-related accident. It’s important to talk to an agent about your scenario.
Is commercial auto insurance only for trucks and vans?
No. Any vehicle used for business, whether it’s a sedan, pickup, SUV, or even a rental car, might require commercial auto insurance coverage. It’s about how the vehicle is used.
Does commercial auto insurance cover employees driving my vehicle?
Yes. If they’re listed on your commercial auto policy or are authorized drivers. This type of auto insurance coverage can also protect your business from legal expenses if an employee causes an accident while driving for work.
What if I use my personal car for both work and personal errands?
Sometimes you can use your personal vehicle for business use. But it’s a gray area. If you regularly use your personal vehicle for business use, your personal auto coverage might not cover medical expenses or property damage after a work-related crash. You may need a special endorsement or a full commercial auto policy. It’s important to talk to an agent about your scenario.
Get Started Today
As an independent agency, we are here to help you find the right Business Auto Insurance coverage.
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Business Auto Insurance Quote Request
As an independent agency, we are here to help you find the right coverage.
Get a Quote
It only takes a minute to get started.
- Fill out the form, we’ll be in touch.
- Review options with an agent.
- Get the coverage you need.
