Washington Commercial Auto Insurance
Customizable coverage options for your business vehicles
Protect your business vehicles with a Washington commercial auto policy
Many of Washington’s 630,000 small businesses need commercial auto insurance to protect from accidents and other incidents that involve their work vehicles. Commercial vehicles are typically exposed to more risk than personal autos, and often require a policy with specialized coverages and limits.
Hundreds of thousands of small business owners across the nation trust us to protect their work vehicles and livelihoods. Each get customized coverage to match their unique needs whether they own a consulting business in Spokane or a catering business in Seattle.
Commercial auto coverage for a variety of business types:
Business Auto
Vehicles driven by employees or used for business activities, such as visiting clients or making deliveries, usually need commercial auto insurance. Personal auto insurance usually doesn’t cover vehicles used for work purposes.
Contractors
Contractors need commercial auto coverage for things like transporting various tools and supplies and traveling between job sites. These are business-related activities that need the additional protection of a commercial policy.
Food Truck
Food trucks and other food service businesses like restaurants and ice cream vendors depend on their commercial vehicles. Most food trucks have expensive equipment attached to them that a commercial auto policy can cover.
For-Hire Livery
Any vehicle used to transport people for a fee must be insured by a commercial auto policy. This includes taxis, limousines and non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) vehicles. Some ridesharing vehicles might require commercial coverage.
Heavy Truck
We’re the #1 truck insurer in the nation*, insuring everything from dump trucks to tractor trailers. Our network of truck repair shops and specialty claims services is accessible whether you’re driving locally or outside of Washington.
Tow Truck
We offer protection whether you own a wrecker, rollback or roadside repair vehicle. You can add specialty tow coverages like On-hook and Garagekeepers Legal Liability to protect you when a customer’s vehicle is in your possession.
Washington commercial auto insurance cost
Several factors affect the cost of your Washington commercial auto policy, including your:
Profession
Some industries have more risk than others. A carpenter who carries tools and equipment to various job sites every day can expect to pay more than an IT specialist who runs occasional errands.
Vehicle
Your vehicle’s size and use affect your rate. A large logging truck will likely have a higher premium than a small produce truck.
Driving history
Your commercial auto insurance carrier will run a motor vehicle report on all drivers with access to your business vehicles. Drivers with accidents or violations on their driving record will usually cause your rate to increase. You can expect your insurance company to take the past three years of driving history into account.
Location
It’s common to pay more for commercial auto coverage in a large city like Seattle than a smaller city like Olympia. Keep in mind, prices are usually higher in locations that experience more claims or more expensive settlements than other locations. Areas susceptible to weather-related events such as earthquakes, floods and wildfires are also factors.
Travel radius
The distance you routinely travel can influence your commercial auto rate. A vehicle with a local route within Kent’s city limits is considered lower risk than a vehicle with a regional route that covers the greater Seattle metropolitan area.
Coverage needs
The amount of coverage you need affects your premium. Policyholders with the Washington state minimum limits of 25/50/10 will pay less than a policyholder needing a combined single limit of $1M.
Did you know?
Washington’s state minimum liability limit 25/50/10 is called a split limit. It separates, or “splits”, the dollar amounts payable by your insurer for bodily injury and property damage into three groups. By choosing Washington’s state minimum limits, your policy will pay up to:
- $25,000 for each person injured in an accident
- $50,000 for all people injured in an accident
- $10,000 for all property damaged in an accident
Learn more about liability coverage.
Discover ways to save on your commercial auto insurance.
Washington commercial auto insurance requirements
Washington state law requires all commercial auto policies to have a minimum liability limit of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage (i.e. 25/50/10). Some policies are required to carry higher limits based on the types of vehicles they insure.
While other coverages like uninsured motorist coverage (UM) and personal injury protection (PIP) aren’t legally required, you should still consider them to help pay for the injuries of you and your passengers. You must reject these coverages in writing if you choose not to carry them.
Washington commercial auto resources:
- Auto Insurance in Washington (Washington Department of Insurance)
- Motor Carrier Insurance Requirements (DOT Operating Authority)
Common professions that need commercial auto insurance in WA:
- Cleaning services
- Painters
- Snow plows
- Food trucks
- Pizza delivery
- Landscapers
- IT specialists
- Distributors
- Manufacturers
- Auto mechanics
Browse more examples of professions we insure.
Get Washington commercial auto insurance with Progressive
We’re the #1 commercial auto insurer* in the country, insuring over 1.5 million commercial vehicles. Here’s a few of the many reasons small business owners trust us:
24/7 policy service by phone or online
We understand you might need help outside of regular business hours whether you need to adjust your coverages, request an insurance certificate or pay a bill.
Specialized commercial claims adjusters
Our in-house adjusters are specialized in handling commercial auto claims to help you get back on the road fast after an accident.
Discounts
Take advantage of our various commercial discounts† to get the best rate for your Washington policy.
Business insurance options
In addition to commercial auto insurance, we can help you find other business coverages including general liability, professional liability, workers’ compensation and more.
Commercial auto insurance anywhere in Washington
We offer Washington commercial auto insurance statewide including these major cities:
- Seattle
- Kent
- Tacoma
- Bellevue
- Renton
- Spokane
- Everett
- Vancouver
- Spokane Valley
- Federal Way
More information
* No. 1 truck and commercial auto insurer from SNL Financial's 2019 national written premium data. Truck is classified as all For Hire Specialty (FHS) vehicles, all For Hire Transportation (FHT) vehicles, and all vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) greater than 16k for Tow, Contractors, and Business Auto.
†Discounts vary and may not be available in all states and situations.