Running a business in Arizona requires careful attention to many state-specific details, including ensuring adequate vehicle and driver protection. With automakers selling nearly four million new cars and trucks in the third quarter of 2023 alone, the number of vehicles on the road is rapidly increasing. This surge, coupled with 52% of Arizona’s roads being in poor or mediocre condition, significantly raises the risk of accidents.
Comprehensive commercial auto insurance is not just about complying with Arizona’s state regulations; it’s a crucial step to safeguarding your business against these risks. Arizona drivers must have proof of financial responsibility, which most of us demonstrate by buying an auto insurance policy. All Arizona drivers must have these minimum coverage limits:
- $25,000 for one person sustaining bodily injury or death in an accident,
- $50,000 for two or more persons sustaining bodily injury or death in an accident and
- $15,000 for damage to others’ property.
Investing in comprehensive coverage ensures your business remains resilient and prepared for the increasing challenges on Arizona’s roads.
In this article, we’ll explore the essentials of commercial auto insurance in Arizona with expert recommendations from Mitch Gearhart, a transportation underwriting specialist at Central Insurance.
Understanding the Basics of Commercial Auto Insurance
Commercial auto insurance is a specialized type of coverage designed to protect businesses that use vehicles as part of their operations. Unlike personal auto insurance, commercial policies are tailored for the unique risks associated with business activities, including coverage for a wide range of vehicles, from cars and trucks to vans and trailers, used for tasks such as deliveries, transporting goods, or carrying passengers.
Commercial policies include collision coverage, which pays for damages to your vehicles resulting from accidents, and comprehensive coverage, which protects against non-collision-related incidents.
For businesses operating in Arizona, commercial auto insurance is not just a legal requirement but a critical component of risk management. Adequate insurance coverage, thorough employee screening, and vehicle fleet maintenance are a recipe for keeping your business safe on the road.
Unique Risks for Arizona Auto Insurance
Arizona presents unique challenges that emphasize the need for comprehensive commercial auto insurance. Let’s explore four state-specific challenges your Arizona business can face.
Weather-Related Risks
According to Gearhart, Arizona’s extreme weather conditions present significant challenges for businesses relying on vehicles. The state’s scorching desert heat can lead to engine overheating, tire blowouts, and other mechanical issues. Dust storms can reduce visibility to near zero, increasing the risk of collisions.
Additionally, Arizona experiences sudden flash floods, which can be particularly dangerous and damaging to vehicles. These weather-related risks threaten vehicle operation and safety and highlight the need for comprehensive insurance coverage to mitigate potential losses.
Road Conditions and Traffic
The condition of Arizona’s road infrastructure and its traffic patterns further exacerbate the risks for commercial vehicles. Potholes, cracks, and uneven surfaces can cause significant vehicle wear and tear, leading to costly repairs.
Driving on deteriorated roads costs Arizona motorists $4.9 billion a year—$839 per driver—in the form of additional repairs, accelerated vehicle depreciation, increased fuel consumption, and tire wear.
What’s more, traffic congestion—especially in urban areas like Phoenix and Tucson—increases the probability of accidents. Identifying higher-risk areas and accident hotspots is crucial for businesses to develop effective risk management strategies, find the best routes, and adequately prepare their drivers.
“In the city, there’s much more congestion and drivers on the road compared to a rural area,” Gearhart says, “But in those rural areas, roads will be in rougher condition, and drivers tend to drive much faster.” No matter the location, some conditions can affect your insurance premiums, and drivers must adapt to avoid costly claims.
Cross-Border and Interstate Commerce
Additional challenges and risks exist for businesses operating near the Mexico border or engaging in interstate commerce. Cross-border transportation can involve complex regulatory requirements, potential delays at border crossings, and heightened security risks. Moreover, businesses that frequently travel across state lines must navigate varying traffic laws and insurance requirements.
If your business requires drivers to cross state or country lines, ensure they’re properly educated on the traffic laws in the new territory. It’s also important to update your independent insurance agent on where your fleet will be operating to confirm your coverage will apply.
Finding Drivers
Due to the above factors, finding the right drivers is crucial for Arizona businesses. However, hiring safe drivers can be difficult and a pressing challenge. Aside from ensuring your drivers have a good driving record and adequate knowledge of the vehicle they’re operating, understand that distracted driving can affect the best drivers. Facilitate educational conversations about its effects and consider camera telematics that can incentivize drivers from dangerous behaviors on the road.
“A big issue is finding good, experienced drivers that businesses can trust on the road,” Gearhart explains. “That’s why it’s important to keep those drivers properly trained and their vehicles well maintained and serviced.”
These factors necessitate a robust commercial auto insurance policy that can cover the unique risks associated with cross-border and interstate operations, ensuring businesses remain protected no matter where their vehicles travel.
Learn More: Employee Drivers & How to Protect Your Business Auto Insurance Rates.
What Does Commercial Auto Insurance Cover?
Commercial auto insurance offers a broad spectrum of coverage options that go beyond basic liability. Most commercial auto insurance policies provide two types of coverage: property and liability. However, you can expand policies to include additional protection.
Below are some of the coverages you need to keep your business safe on the road, according to Gearhart:
| Bodily Injury Liability Coverage Can cover medical expenses and legal fees for injuries caused to others in an accident for which your business is at fault. |
Property Damage Liability Coverage Can pay for damages to other people’s property caused by your business vehicles in an accident. |
Employees’ Cars Used in the Service of the Employer Can provide coverage when employees use their personal vehicles for business purposes. |
Medical Payments Can cover medical expenses for the driver and passengers of your business vehicle, regardless of fault in an accident. |
| Uninsured Motorist Coverage Can protect against bodily injury and property damage caused by a driver who does not have insurance or a hit-and-run incident. |
Comprehensive Physical Damage Coverage Can cover damage to your business vehicle from non-collision events such as theft, vandalism, fire, or natural disasters. |
Collision Coverage Can help pay for repairs to your business vehicle resulting from a collision with another vehicle or object. |
Personal Injury Protection Can help cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs for you and your passengers, regardless of fault in an accident. |
Choosing the Right Insurance Provider for Arizona Auto Insurance
When choosing an insurance provider for your commercial auto coverage, evaluating several key factors is essential to ensure you make the best decision for your business. Start by considering the carrier’s range of coverage options and ensure they provide the specific coverages you need, such as liability, collision, comprehensive, and any additional options relevant to your business operations.
Importance of Customer Service in the Claims Process
Customer service and the efficiency of the claims process are crucial when the unexpected happens. In an accident, a responsive and supportive customer service team can make all the difference in how smoothly your claim is processed.
At Central, people come first. We offer 24/7 support and e-options for our insureds to report and pay claims easily via the myCentral website or mobile app. Central also backs all commercial auto policyholders with loss control resources to mitigate risks before they happen.
“Our Loss Control Department will work with you directly to establish a fleet manager,” Gearhart says. “We’ll create a fleet management system or written fleet safety program to help with driver training, fleet maintenance, and vehicle telematics that not only help you prevent accidents but also help you in the case of an accident with dash cams or speed monitoring devices.”
Did You Know: Central Insurance has partnered with Azuga’s fleet management experts to obtain best-in-class vehicle telematics and camera systems at significant savings.
Central is dedicated to protecting your business. This includes helping you avoid a claim by keeping your vehicles and drivers in top shape. Contact a Central agent to learn more about loss prevention assistance and safety services.
The Central Difference
Central Insurance offers a series of excellent commercial auto insurance policies to meet each business’s needs. Vehicles covered under these policies include those owned or leased, including automobiles, trucks, vans, etc. Contact your insurance agent today to get started with Central.
