Whether your company owns one commercial vehicle or an entire fleet of vehicles, regular vehicle maintenance is one of the best things you can do to protect your employees, your property, and your business.

As a bonus, any time you reduce risk you reduce the chance of incurring an insurance claim, which ultimately can help lower your commercial vehicle insurance and other business insurance rates.

Here's How:

• Regular maintenance can help prolong the life of your vehicle and allow it to operate more efficiently. 
   
• Regular maintenance also helps ensure the safety of your employees and can help cut down on insurance claims.
   
• Many state and U.S. regulations require a preventive vehicle maintenance program, including a structured record-keeping system.  Non-compliance of these regulations can lead to strict penalties, including hefty fines. 

Commercial Vehicle Compliance

Before initiating an internal vehicle maintenance plan, you should understand federal commercial vehicle requirements. Every year, the Commercial Safety Vehicle Alliance (CSVA) conducts approximately four million commercial motor vehicle inspections throughout North America.  These inspections focus on vehicle mechanical safety, traffic enforcement, cargo securement and regional rules and regulations.  Any vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds, including the weight of a trailer, may be subject to these random road checks. http://www.cvsa.org/programs/nas.php

Developing a Better Commercial Vehicle Preventive Maintenance Program

In addition to complying with federal regulations, it’s also a good idea to create a formal preventive maintenance program that includes a daily pre- and post-drive checklist.  This helps insure that drivers share some of the vehicle maintenance responsibility and that the day-to-day safety requirements are met. 

Where to Begin

A good place to start is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website.  http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ FMCSA’s “A Motor Carrier’s Guide to IMPROVING HIGHWAY SAFETY” is a great resource.  It includes lots of information and record-keeping forms. http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/ETA-Final-508c-s.pdf.

With a preventive maintenance plan in place and knowledge of federal and state regulations, your one commercial vehicle or your entire fleet will be ready for the road. 

Reduce Risk & Save Money with the Right Commercial Vehicle Insurance

American Insuring Group’s independence and high standards allow us to provide the best commercial vehicle insurance rates and high-quality insurance protection for your commercially used car, van, truck, or fleet.  Contact us at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 to learn more.

Have you recently started a new business, or perhaps suddenly come to the realization that your personal vehicle insurance may not fully protect you when using your car, van, or truck for business purposes? 

Commercial Vehicle Insurance Coverage Differs by Company

Although each insurance company has different guidelines for determining to what extent your personal vehicle may be insured when used for commercial purposes, it is nonetheless risky to assume your personal vehicle will be properly covered, if it is covered at all. Rather than taking chances, consult an independent insurance agent to learn the details of your coverage, and to select the best insurance company and policy to meet your commercial insurance needs.

How to Know if Your Vehicle Use is Commercial or Personal

The most obvious indicator that you are using your vehicle for business purposes occurs when you are using your car, van, truck, or other vehicle to transport merchandise or people, or to perform services for a fee.

For example, if you are using your vehicle to:

• Deliver flowers or restaurant food, such as pizza or other food items
• Perform landscaping services, such as delivering workers and/or materials
• Perform snow removal services
• Tow a trailer used for business purposes
• Travel to customers for sales calls or to perform consulting services 

Who is Covered Under a Commercial Vehicle Insurance Policy?

Unlike a personal policy, commercial vehicle policies allow you to cover any of your employees when your vehicle is used for business purposes. If your vehicle is driven by employees, that’s a sure sign that you need a commercial policy. Likewise, if your vehicle is owned under a corporate partnership, or used to haul heavy equipment, or to make deliveries requiring federal or state filings, then you definitely need commercial vehicle insurance protection.

Amount of Vehicle Insurance You Need for Business vs. Personal Use

Commercial vehicle insurance policies generally provide greater protection than personal policies, with higher liability limits. However, it’s very important to make sure you are fully protected for both business and personal use if your vehicle is used for both.

Don’t Take Chances!

By now we hope you are thoroughly convinced that it is not worth taking chances with your commercial vehicle insurance coverage. Whether you hail from a larger city like Philadelphia or Allentown, or smaller areas like Reading or Lancaster, you need the right insurance protection. Please don't take chances with your future.

To learn more about commercial insurance for your car, van, truck, or commercial fleet, click here.  Or, contact us online. You may also reach us at (610) 775-3848. We’re independent insurance agents who stand ready to help you find the insurance protection that’s right for you, your budget, and your business.

When looking for commercial vehicle or van insurance in small to large towns from Reading to Philadelphia and beyond, there are a few points to consider, and some tend to get lost in a potential insurance minefield – here are a few frequently asked questions many ask when searching for the right insurance for their small business.

Is it hard to insure a vehicle for commercial use?

Not really. Anyone can apply to insure a commercial vehicle, (for example, a van), but they will find they are restricted when it comes to personal or private use of that vehicle. As long as the vehicle falls under commercial use, like delivering goods or providing a service (say, if the owner is a builder just using the van to get from A to B) then it is much easier to obtain insurance than if the applicant also wanted the vehicle for private use.

Define ‘commercial vehicle’?

Not sure if your vehicle falls under the right guidelines? Here are the main types of commercial vehicle:

• Goods-carrying vehicles: this is the most common type of commercial vehicle, used to transport products or necessary items for services. This can range from small cars and vans to larger trucks.
• Passenger-carrying vehicles: this applies to buses, coaches, and hire cars.
• Forestry and agricultural vehicles
• Special construction vehicles: vehicles that serve a particular purpose are known as ‘special types’ of vehicle and apply to ambulances, fork-lift trucks, and cranes.

What about windshield coverage?

Windshield coverage usually comes down to the insurance company and the level of coverage taken out, but this type of coverage is typically available for commercial vehicles as a policy extra, under "Comprehensive" coverage.

How can I lower my van insurance premium?

There are a number of ways that some companies do this, but here are three ways for customers to reduce their premiums:

• Usage - how the vehicle is used can lower your insurance premiums.  If you park the van at one jobsite for the day will be a lower cost than if you travel to mutiple locations during the day.
• Safe drive Badge – a simple sticker on the back saying ‘How’s my driving?’ with a number on the back (preferably to the insurance company) will also reduce premiums. This is because anyone driving dangerously will obviously be reported by other drivers, hypothetically making the driver in question more cautious about their driving.
• Driving Convictions – this is a simple one; don’t acquire any speeding convictions. Insurance companies tend to ramp up the premiums for people who have previous driving convictions. 

Get Help - Get the Right Commercial Vehicle Insurance for Your Car, Van, or Truck

Who Saves You More on Car Insurance, the GEICO Gecko or the American Insuring Group Eagle?

We eat geckos for lunch at American Insuring Group Ltd!  What we mean is, we can quote from over 25 competing insurance companies (6 for auto insurance alone) with one call, so we will out-perform any single-choice auto insurance brand - guaranteed. That goes not only for car insurance, but truck, RV, motorcycle, and van insurance from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, Lancaster to Allentown, and points in between and beyond.

One Car Insurance Choice vs. Many Competing Choices

Would you buy groceries from a store offering only one brand of cereal or coffee?  Then why call a "one company only" car insurance company like GEICO, State Farm, or others? 

Get the American Insuring Group Advantage

We specialize in the most comprehensive and most competitive motorcycle, RV, truck, van and car insurance quotes anywhere in Pennsylvania, from Reading PA in Berks county, to Philadelphia, Lancaster, Allentown and the Lehigh Valley, to Harrisburg, York, Pittsburgh, Erie, and points in between.  So why call GEICO for cheap car insurance when you can get a more affordable car insurance comparison from multiple companies with one call? 

At American Insuring Group LTD, we will show you how to save on truck, van and car insurance in ways that GEICO only dream about.  Call today because the eagle has landed on savings from American Insuring Group Ltd.

Call us at 1-800-943-2198 or click here for an Instant Online Car Insurance Quote.

Auto Liability Insurance limits are dangerously low under most Insurance policies

When you call our insurance offices located near Reading, PA, we review your individual needs and tailor a plan to provide the auto insurance protection you need at the best price. You will receive competitive quotes from at least three high-quality, price-competitive car insurance companies from our extensive list of competing insurers. This competition typically results in a lower price and higher level of protection than you can achieve from a single motorcycle, RV, truck, van, or car insurance company.

Car Insurance Coverage – How Much is Enough?

Almost daily we counsel people who come to us with auto insurance limits that are so low that they are literally risking their life savings and their financial future. The first question to consider is the total value of your assets, and whether you want to be fully or partially protected against loss.  If you are at-fault in an auto accident and sued, what award could you reasonably be facing?  Many people carry $100,000 of auto liability insurance protection per person for bodily injury.  Consider this: if you become responsible for permanent injuries to another, then a $100,000 limit for bodily injuries may be woefully inadequate, and could result in severe financial hardship for you and your family for years to come. Increasing your car insurance coverage to the proper level can make all the difference should a major accident occur.

For example, many people earn $100,000 or more annually, and if you are responsible for another's inability to work for the next 10 years, they may receive a $1,000,000 award for which you would be responsible.  With only $100,000 of auto liability insurance coverage, the injured party’s attorney will be going after your personal assets to cover the $900,000 balance. One accident could permanently change your financial future.

Beyond Bodily Injury Liability Protection

Bodily Injury Liability Insurance is the most important form of car insurance protection you need to review, but it certainly isn't the only one.  Property Damage Liability to cover an accident with an expensive car, van, bus or truck is almost as important.  Uninsured Motorist protection, Medical Expense, Loss Wage coverage, Comprehensive and Collision are all important auto insurance protections that you need to have reviewed and that you should understand.

Call American Insuring Group LTD for a free auto insurance review to ensure you have the right level of protection to guard against a life-changing financial loss. Our professional car insurance agents are available at (800) 943-2198.

For an instant online insurance quote for your car, van, truck, motorcycle, or RV, please click below. Located near Reading, PA in Berks County, we also serve Philadelphia, Lancaster, York, Harrisburg, Allentown, and points beyond. Call or click today.

Understanding Commercial Insurance Can be One Tough Job!  

Being a small business owner today is a tough job!  Between rules and regulations, licenses and taxes, and banking and commercial insurance, it sometimes seems you need your own board of directors just to help manage your business!

At American Insuring Group, Small Business Insurance is our specialty.  We can help you, the business owner, understand not only what commerical insurance protection your company needs, but also what business insurance is required of you to satisfy legal requirements.

Our office represents over a dozen "A" rated general insurance companies that specialize in small business insurance and we have access to dozens more specialty commercial insurance companies that fill specific small business insurance needs for our clients.

So How Many Types of Liability Insurance Are There?

The commercial insurance needs for a business owner can be daunting.  First, there is Public Liability Insurance that is a must to protect the business from lawsuits and claims for injuries or property damage to others.  But Public Liability Insurance isn't that simple.  What type of liability insurance protection do I need?  Is Premises Liability Insurance enough?  What if I leave my business location and go to someone else's home or business location?  Does my Liability Insurance cover me there as well?  What about when I finish a job and leave?  Do I have Completed Operations coverage if sometime later, after the job is finished, someone is hurt by my work or property damage is caused?

Are you a business owner who makes something, sells something, or just handles products someone else makes?  Do you have Product Liability Insurance coverage included in your General Liability Insurance coverage?  What if you harm someone's reputation or cause someone to lose sales, and they look to you for compensation? Personal or Advertising Injury Liability coverage protects the business owner from these claims.

What if an employee claims that you fired them under false pretense?  Or they make an allegation of harassment against you?  Employment Practices Liability Insurance is the protection that any business owner who employs someone must have to be protected.

There are many extentions of Public Liability Insurance the business owner should understand and use to be protected from the unexpected.  At American Insuring Group LTD., our licensed agents have the understanding and experience in Commercial Insurance to help you determine your insurance risks and to identify the insurance solutions to properly cover your businss. 

Workers Compensation Insurance - Are You Operating Legally?

Then, there is Workers Compensation Insurance for the small business that employs people. Most states require the business owner to cover employees for work related injuries.  What if you are a corporation without any employees?  States consider a corporation to be its own entity, and even you, the owner (officer), are considered an employee. Therefore you must either have Workers Compensation Insurance coverage or have the proper exclusion paperwork filed with the Department of Labor and Industry. At American Insuring Group, our licensed staff can help you with all the forms necesasary to be legal. 

Not only does Worker Compensation Insurance cover medical bills and lost wages for employees who get hurt during working hours, but there is a second business insurance coverage that is included with most policies.  Employer's Liability Insurance covers the business owner if an employee presents a claim against his employer for alleged negligence for his injuries.  An example of this is an employee who cuts off his finger on a machine.  Workers  Compensation Insurance would pay medical bills and lost wages, but if he claims the business did not properly maintain the equipment and now he must live life without a finger, the business owner would have protection from such a lawsuit under Employer's Liability Insurance.

Liability Insurance and Worker's Compensation Insurance covers only some of the insurance needs for the business owner. Other types of coverage include: Property Insurance protection, Van Insurance for your business vehicles, Umbrella Insurance for excess insurance protection, Bonding for the contractor's needs and Group Medical Benefits for your employees.

We Can Help You Make the Right Liability Insurance Decisions for Your Business

At American Insuring Group LTD, we take the time to understand your business so we can make sure every exposure to risk is discussed and covered by our small business insurance policies.  Call us today at 800-947-1270 or email me at david@aigltd.com. I would love to meet or talk to you and help you understand your business insurance needs.  If you already are covered by insurance, a second opinion may often uncover coverage gaps or missing insurance coverage that is needed. 

Calling an Independent Agent to get Auto Insurance quotes is one of the smartest ways to compare rates for truck, van, or car insurance.  Independent Agents work for You not the Insurance company, so they are able to compare car insurance prices from multiple companies with one call.

At American Insuring Group, we represent over a dozen "A" rated auto insurance companies, so we can do the shopping for you for cheap, yet high-quality car insurance.  Let one of our insurance professionals compare car insurance for you with one call today! 

Having both your car insurance quote and your homeowners insurance quoted with the same  car insurance companies is one of the best ways to save on both. This credit is called an account credit.

Another way to save on car insurance quotes is for all vehicle insurance in the household to be with the same company.  This will give all drivers in the house a multi-car discount of 20%. 

Some of our car insurance companies offer first accident forgiveness which guarantees no accident surcharges if you are responsible for an accident. 

Airbags, theft alarms and anti-lock brakes all give discounts with the car insurance companies we represent.

Agreeing to go paperless and having a AAA membership will give your vehicle insurance extra discounts.

Mature drivers have a wide variety of mature discounts available from our companies.  Discounts for over age 50, discounts for pleasure usage and driver improvement courses are all discounts mature drivers are eligible for to get the cheapest car insurance quotes available.

Young drivers also are eligible for a variety of discounts for car insurance for young drivers.  Driver Training credit is available to young drivers who have completed 30 hours of classroom and 6 hours behind the wheel instructions.  This driver training credit gives 10% credit for three years for car insurance for young drivers.  Student Away at School discount is available to college age drivers who live over 100 miles from home and have no car with them.  This credit changes the young driver rate to a married rate which is a substantial savings.

At American Insuring Group, we offer truck, van and car insurance quotes from insurance companies that offer loss free discounts and longevity discounts.  These discounts start after 1 year with the company and increase to 5% yearly discounts.

For the business owner, adding your van insurance to your personal car insurance quote will give your business vehicle a multi-car discount and a personal use discount.

These are just some of the many ways that calling American Insuring Group for a car insurance comparison will help you save money on car insurance rates today! Call us at 800.947.1270 or 610.775.3848.  

For an instant online insurance quote for your car, van, truck, motorcycle, SUV, or RV, please click below. Located near Reading, PA in Berks County, we also serve the insurance needs of customers in Philadelphia, Lancaster, York, Harrisburg, Allentown, Pittsburgh, Erie, and points in between and beyond. Call or click today to get started!