Can a private auto insurance company meet my needs?

Key Auto Insurance Facts

You’ve probably heard of public insurance, but you may not know what it means. When it comes to public vs private car insurance, what is the difference anyway? This article will cover everything you need to know, starting with some basic definitions.

Private auto insurance, also known as free-market insurance, is provided by individual companies that are not controlled by the state. Public auto insurance companies, on the other hand, are regulated by the government.

Can a private auto insurance company meet my needs?

In short: yes. Essentially every auto insurance policy available in the United States is a private policy, which means the vast majority of Americans will have auto insurance through an individual company rather than a government agency.

The question as to whether private auto insurance companies can meet your needs depends on what exactly you’re looking for in your insurance coverage.

Sometimes it’s difficult to determine which new auto insurance companies are best, so it’s important to do your research before you purchase a policy. At the end of the day, you’ll be in a position to make an informed decision based on current auto insurance quotes.

Rankings are also important, as they help you to see where a particular auto insurance firm is positioned. Better-ranked companies are safer to invest in, and they have the ability to provide more services.

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Public vs. Private Car Insurance

If numbers are anything to go by, then it’s easy to assume that public auto firms are more affordable compared to private ones. However, there are many issues to consider beyond cost, including benefit levels and availability. Weigh all the costs and advantages and make a sound decision that will give you the best coverage for your needs.

Government involvement in providing insurance is a hot-button issue in many countries. Even in countries like Canada where government auto insurance is widely available in many provinces, there’s still a significant amount of discussion regarding rates and payment of claims.

In the United States, auto insurance is a major industry. Many of the top 10 auto insurance companies also offer coverages like homeowners or renters insurance, boat and RV insurance, umbrella policies, and much more.

While it’s possible there are some public auto policies available through a local or state government somewhere in the United States, we were unable to find any as of this writing. Most state and federal programs are designed to help with your bills, not provide you a service. One of the biggest exceptions to this rule is health insurance, as government programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Veteran’s Affairs are all public health insurance options available to people who meet certain criteria.

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Business Auto Insurance

If your job requires you to use your own car for work purposes, you’ll be required to have a business auto insurance policy. A business insurance policy will likely be necessary for:

• Uber/Lyft drivers
• Pizza delivery people
• Traveling salespersons
• Social workers
• Home healthcare providers

Anyone who uses their own car for work purposes will require business auto insurance. Not purchasing a business policy can put you in danger of having a claim denied if an accident happens while you’re on the clock.

What counts as business use for auto insurance?

Using your personal vehicle for any work-related purpose can be considered business use. If you’re working in your vehicle, i.e., as a delivery person, or if you regularly have to drive to clients’ homes or businesses to do your job, i.e., as a home health aid, you should purchase a business insurance policy.

Does a personal auto policy cover business use?

It’s a common question: does my personal auto insurance cover business use? Essentially, no, it does not. If you’re using your car for business and you get into an accident, your personal vehicle insurance policy may not cover you. If you’re unsure whether you need a business policy, think of it as a “use of a personal vehicle for company business” policy. If you use your vehicle for company business, talk to your insurance company about changing to a business insurance policy.

Commercial or business auto insurance covers both physical damage and liability in commercial vehicles that are not typically covered by personal insurance. A company-owned car may be covered by a commercial policy when it’s being driven for work purposes, while someone driving their personal car for work purposes (say, an Uber driver) may need to purchase a business policy.

Commercial Auto Insurance

Commercial insurance is a policy held by a company to protect a vehicle they own that is driven by an employee for work purposes. And, like in California, a commercial insurance policy may also be required if you own a vehicle that cannot be covered under a personal policy and only functions as a work vehicle, like a food truck. This type of policy will likely be necessary for:

• Box trucks
• Food trucks
• Work vans
• Service utility trucks
• Tow trucks
• Buses
• Emergency vehicles (ambulance, fire truck, etc.)

When it comes to who is an insured under a commercial auto policy, this will include any licensed driver who is using the vehicle for work purposes.

Why does my employer need proof of my auto insurance?

An employer typically doesn’t need to list the names of drivers who are allowed to use the vehicles on their policy, but they will be required to prove they have a copy of your license, your driving record, and other information before they can allow you to drive a company vehicle.

Part of the reason for this is that they need to verify you’re driving legally, which includes having active auto insurance.

If you’re covered under your employer’s commercial plan you will be subject to company car insurance rules, which will probably state that you’re required to report any accidents or tickets you receive, even in your personal time, and that you’ll be required to maintain your driver’s license in good standing.

Does commercial auto insurance cover personal use of your work vehicle?

The odds are good that personal use of your work vehicle would not be covered under your employer’s business car insurance policy. You’ll need to check with them for specifics but, for example, a tow truck company likely isn’t going to pay for an accident that happened when you took your truck out to see a movie.

Since commercial policies are often for vehicles that are designed for a specific purpose, like city buses, they aren’t considered personal transit vehicles and are therefore not covered for personal use.

When it comes to company car insurance vs personal car insurance, you’ll likely be required to maintain your personal policy to stay on your employer’s coverage.

Differences in Insurance Providers

Insurance providers vary in terms of size, corporate philosophy, structure, customer base, target market, insurance premiums, and coverage. Each company is unique and has its own pricing standards, which is why it’s important to do your research and get multiple quotes.

If you choose to use a comparison website that provides quotes, check to verify that the site is independent and not affiliated with any auto insurance firm. This way you know they’re providing you with unbiased information.

In places where public insurance is widely available, the biggest difference between public and private is that public insurance tends to be the most affordable option because these programs don’t earn a profit from your premiums. Private auto insurance company profitably works by selling customers more coverage, which means they offer a much wider variety of coverages and benefits in hopes of earning your business.

For example, private insurance companies are likely to offer 24-hour customer service, roadside assistance, or other benefits to give you the most value for your dollar. The rates offered by private insurers are determined by the market value and are designed to create profits, which is why there are huge rate differentials between private and public firms.

When choosing a private insurance company, you’ll want to compare more than just customer reviews. The company’s financial stability is also important. Take a look at the A.M. Best ratings in the chart below to get an idea of how financially sound some of the most popular companies are:

A.M. Best Ratings Financial Ratings for U.S. Auto Insurance Companies

Private auto insurance rates generally favor certain categories of people, such as older drivers and drivers with a clean record. People with poor driving records are forced to pay higher premiums, and the same goes for younger drivers. These people are considered risky, so the insurance company charges them higher premiums.

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What type of auto insurance coverage do you need?

Whether you choose public or private insurance for your personal auto policy, or even if you’re getting a business auto policy, there are three basic types of auto insurance coverage that you might need: liability, collision, and comprehensive. As you can see in the chart below, the coverage level you choose will impact your rates:

Average U.S. Annual Car Insurance Rates Based on Coverage Level

A liability-only policy would be considered a low level of coverage, whereas adding comprehensive and collision to your policy will give you a higher level of coverage.

Liability Coverage

Liability coverage protects you financially by paying for damages to another person’s vehicle if you are at fault in an accident. It also covers medical bills for any bodily injury someone else sustained in an accident where you were at fault.

Liability coverage is required by law in almost every state. Even in states where it isn’t required, it’s still a good idea to have some level of liability coverage in place. If you’re found responsible for an accident and you don’t have insurance, you could be held accountable for hundreds of thousands of dollars in property and medical damages. A judge could put a lien on your property or garnish future wages, so it’s important to make sure you’re fully protected.

Many companies also offer uninsured motorist coverage, which covers you at the same levels as your liability coverage if you’re in an accident where an uninsured driver is at fault. Having this kind of coverage can also end up saving you a lot of money, as a serious accident with an uninsured driver can be very costly.

Collision Coverage

Collision insurance coverage protects you by paying for damages to your vehicle if you are at fault in an accident, whether you hit another vehicle or a stationary object such as a fence post. Collision coverage is not required by law, so people with older vehicles or the ability to replace their car out-of-pocket if necessary may choose not to purchase collision coverage.

If you’re responsible for a loan on your car, you may be required by the lender to have full coverage insurance, including collision, on your policy. This is based on the contract you have with your lender, not state or federal law.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage protects you by paying for damage to your car that isn’t caused by an accident. Some examples of what might be covered by a comprehensive claim for auto insurance are hail damage, theft, and vandalism. Comprehensive also covers animal damage, so whether you hit a deer or a squirrel chewed through the soft parts of your engine compartment, you will need comprehensive coverage to pay for those damages.

Comprehensive is another coverage that may be required by your lender but not by local or federal laws. If you can afford to replace your car out-of-pocket, you may choose not to bother with comprehensive coverage.

What is private auto insurance?

In the United States, private auto insurance is typically thought of as a personal policy, traditionally considered the opposite of a business policy. In other countries, private auto insurance is considered an alternative to a public insurance policy.

Thus, how the phrase is defined depends on where you’re buying your insurance policy.

Do insurance companies share information?

Insurance companies do share information through online databases, whether they are public, private, business, or commercial insurers. There are a couple of ways they do this:

• CLUE – The Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange, or CLUE, is a database that helps insurance companies share and track claims information. Claims stay in the CLUE database for up to seven years.
• A-PLUS – The Automated Property Loss Underwriting System, or A-PLUS, is a separate database that can help insurance companies track and share claims information. Claims stay in the A-PLUS database for up to five years.

It’s even possible for insurance companies to find out questions you’ve asked to other insurers in situations where no claim was filed, so don’t assume you can leave your driving record behind by switching to a new insurance company.

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Can you get a car insurance quote without giving personal information?

Generally, you can’t get a quote for insurance without giving some personal information. While some companies may be willing to give you a simple quote without your personal information, the quote isn’t likely to be accurate. Your rate is partially determined by your personal information, such as your ZIP code and your driving history, so it is necessary to provide you with an accurate quote.

The Bottom Line

Public insurance is sometimes more affordable, but typically isn’t available to the average insurance customer in the United States. Getting a quote from an online quote site can help you compare policies to find the best price on private auto insurance.

Enter your ZIP code below to receive cheap car insurance quotes from multiple private companies in your area.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

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