Commercial Vehicle Insurance
What is Commercial Vehicle Insurance?
A commercial vehicle helps run your business smoothly, and any damage/theft to the vehicle
may lead to huge financial loss to your business. In order to cope-up with this uncertainty,
you need to have a right insurance for your commercial vehicle. Commercial Vehicle Insurance
is specially designed to provide cover against damage/ loss to your vehicle, or any third
party liability that may occur due to the fault of your vehicle. Getting commercial vehicle
insurance is also mandatory on legal grounds under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Commercial
vehicles include those which are used for commercial purposes, such as buses, vans, taxis,
school buses, trucks, mini trucks, cranes, Loader, Excavator, etc.
Get Quotes
Why should I Buy Commercial Vehicle Insurance?
If you are running a business and having a commercial vehicle, it is quite important to buy
commercial vehicle insurance. Here are some top reasons to buy Commercial Vehicle
Insurance.
Legal Protection
Having a valid commercial vehicle insurance confirms that you are abiding by the law. By
buying a suitable commercial vehicle insurance, you stay protected against any third
party liability that may arise due to bodily injury/ property damage caused to the other
vehicle.
No Financial Worries
By choosing a commercial vehicle insurance, you do not have to pay for the third party
liability or costs that may incur due to your bodily injury or any damage caused to your
commercial vehicle. Buying a comprehensive commercial vehicle insurance provides you a
complete cover and let you drive your business vehicle worry-free.There are times, when
business vehicles carrying precious goods are wrecked or robbed during transit. A
commercial vehicle insurance provides coverage against the financial loss occurred in
such scenarios.
Employee Protection
Your commercial vehicle insurance helps you pay for your employees, in case your employee
becomes injured driving the business vehicle during the working hours. It covers legal
liability against death and/or injury caused to the passengers by your own vehicle.
Pays for Vehicle Repairs
With commercial vehicle insurance, you can get the costly repairs for your vehicle all at
affordable cost or free of cost under the scope of your policy. By getting vehicle
repairs on-time, you can easily maintain the resale value of your vehicle.
Cashless Network Garages
Insurers have tied up with the workshops/garages known as network garages to provide the
cashless facility for the policyholders for the repairs done under the scope of coverage
in different cities and towns.
What kinds of Commercial Vehicle Insurance can I opt from?
Basically, there are two types of Commercial Vehicle Insurance.
1. Liability Only Policy/ Third Party Commercial Vehicle Insurance
This commercial vehicle insurance provides cover against any liability towards property
damage and bodily injury/ death caused to a third party. Some Insurers also provide cover
for Owner/driver in case of accidental death, and personal total disability.
2. Comprehensive/ Package Commercial Vehicle Insurance
You never know when a vehicular accident may occur and for this, you need to ensure that you
are completely covered against any loss/damage. With a Package Commercial Vehicle Insurance,
your vehicle is covered for,
This component of the policy covers third party bodily injury/death and property damage to
any third party.
This component of the policy covers damage/loss caused to your vehicle under natural
calamities which includes fire, lightning, flood, hurricane, storm, tempest, inundation,
cyclone, hailstorm, typhoon,frost, landslide, rockslide, explosion fire and shock damage due
to earthquake and Man-made Calamities which includes burglary, housebreaking, theft, riot or
strike, accident by external means, malicious act, terrorist activity and damage during
travel by road, rail, inland-waterway, or air.
What are the Benefits of Buying a Commercial Vehicle Insurance?
It’s important to assess the benefits of commercial vehicle insurance and then choose an
insurance policy that offers protection for your business vehicle. Here are the key benefits
of a commercial vehicle insurance.
Cover for Third Party Liability
Getting a commercial vehicle insurance provides protection against legal liability to the
third party resulting from bodily injury, death and property damage. A third party coverage
helps you pay off the legal expenses for any third party liability which includes bodily
injury or property damage.
Cover for Own Damage
Under comprehensive commercial vehicle insurance policy, any damages mentioned under the
scope of policy coverage is indemnified to the policyholder which could be man made damage
or damage by natural calamities.
Medical Payments Coverage
A commercial vehicle insurance also provides cover against medical expenses that are incurred
due to your bodily injury caused by vehicular accident, irrespective of who is found at
fault.
Avail Add-on Coverage
With a commercial vehicle insurance, you can also include add-on covers such as zero
depreciation, personal accident coverage for owner/driver, and many others to enhance the
scope of coverage.
No Claim Bonus
Insurers also offer a No Claim Bonus (NCB) protection that you can avail for claim free
policy years for your commercial vehicle which will result in a decrease in premium for
renewal year.
Get Quotes
How is my Commercial Vehicle Insurance Premium Calculated?
Following are the key factors that are responsible for calculating the premium amount for
your commercial vehicle.
Insured’s Declared Value (IDV)
IDV is deemed to be the ‘Sum Insured’ and it is determined at the beginning of each
policy period for a vehicle. Insured’s Declared Value is the current market value of
your vehicle that is paid by the insurer in the event of theft or total loss of vehicle.
With a lower IDV of your vehicle, you need to pay the lesser premium amount for your
commercial insurance policy and vice versa.
Place of Registration
When it comes to commercial vehicle insurance rating, India is demarcated under insurance
zones which are Zone A (Chennai, Delhi / New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai), Zone B (all other
state capitals), and Zone C (Rest of India). When you register your vehicle in Zone A
and Zone B, you are charged with higher premiums considering the exposure of your
vehicle to accidents and theft. Commercial vehicles excluded under section 4.C.1 and C.4
are rated under Zone A or Zone C.
Gross Vehicle Weight
It refers to the maximum operating weight of a vehicle as stated by the manufacturer and
it includes the chassis, body, accessories, engine, driver, passengers and goods. Higher
gross vehicle weight, will incur huge losses to other vehicles and thus carries higher
risk, so the insurer will also charge higher premiums to cover the risk.
Vehicle Age
The age of the vehicle also helps determine the premium amount for your commercial
vehicle insurance. Insurers may charge the higher rate of premium for older vehicles, as
there is more risk of electrical/mechanical breakdown, wear & tear.
Safety Devices
Commercial vehicle equipped with safety devices such as advanced braking systems, audible
warning devices, light signaling devices, and mechanical and GPS speed-limiters, the
insurer may charge you the lowest premium for the vehicle insurance, considering the
safety of the vehicle.
Fuel Type
When buying insurance for diesel and CNG/LPG based vehicle, the premium is charged at a
higher rate than for a petrol-based vehicle. The reason being the diesel and CNG/LPG run
vehicles tend to have higher usage that may result to frequent break-down and wear &
tear.
What are Some Smart Buyings Tips?
Following are some of the key buying tips you can follow to buy the right Home Insurance
Policy.
Compare before buying: Prior buying insurance, it is wise to compare and choose the right
commercial insurance for your vehicle. It is also important to read the customer reviews and
feedback to ascertain, it’s the right pick.
Buy Online: Buying a policy online saves time as you can get the policy in just a few clicks
of the mouse. Buying the policy online helps you grab huge discounts on the premium
amount.
Pick the Insurer Wisely: Buying commercial vehicle insurance from an insurer having IRDAI
certification would a right move. So, assess the profile of the insurer and then go ahead to
buy the insurance policy. You should also choose an insurer that offers 24x7 support so, you
can contact them anytime you need. Also ensure whether they have the quick and efficient
claims settlement process.
Add-on Covers: There are various add-on covers available with commercial vehicle insurance.
Primarily, you need to assess your need and then pick add-ons accordingly. Upon choosing
add-on covers you need to pay additional premiums as it will provide you additional
cover.
Read the Policy Wordings: Prior finalizing a commercial vehicle insurance, it would be a
prudent decision to go through the policy benefits, its inclusions & exclusions and assess
whether it’s the right vehicle insurance, you are looking for.
Is there any Add-on Cover/Rider with Commercial Vehicle Insurance?
Add-on covers/Riders are additional benefits provided over and above to your base insurance
policy. Following are the add-on covers, that are available with the commercial vehicle
insurance.
Legal Liability to Employees
This add-on provides coverage against accidental death and permanent total disability to the
employees (both paid and unpaid).
Legal Liability to Passengers
This add-on provides coverage against bodily injury/death caused to the passengers (fare
and non fare paying passengers) present in your commercial vehicle at the time of the
accident.
Zero-depreciation
When you raise claims, insurers usually pay for the depreciated value of the replaced
vehicle parts. However, by choosing the zero depreciation (Nil Depreciation) cover, you
become eligible to receive the full claim amount for the damaged vehicle parts. With
this add-cover, there is no need to worry about the depreciation component.
Roadside Assistance
Have you ever faced a situation with your commercial vehicle running out of fuel,
breakdown, or other technical issues? You are stuck there, when there is no service
center or any other assistance. Choosing roadside assistance cover with your vehicle
insurance is the answer. This add-on cover provides you the swift services such as fuel
refill, battery jump-start, flat tire change, towing, spare key arrangement, and many
more.
Personal Accident Cover
This add-on provides cover for owner and driver in case of accidental death, Permanent
Total Disablement, Permanent Partial Disablement, and Temporary Total Disablement.
No Claim Bonus Shield Cover
No claim bonus is a reward given by the insurer to the policyholder in case of a claim
free policy period. By choosing no-claim bonus shield cover, you do not lose NCB benefit
even if you make a claim in a policy year for your commercial vehicle.
Accessories Cover
This add-on cover pays for loss/damage to accessories fitted in the vehicle, including
stereos, fans, and others. You may ask your insurer to ascertain which accessories are
covered under the vehicle insurance.
Coverage for Vehicle Consumables
Engine oil, nut and bolt, washers, etc. are utilized for repairing the vehicles. By
choosing this add-on cover, you are reimbursed for the cost of these consumables.
Penalty Coverage
By choosing this add-on cover, the insurer will pay for the penalty imposed on you by
your client in case of damage of goods or delay in delivery of goods caused due to the
accident of the vehicle.
Additional Cost Coverage
This add-on cover provides coverage against amount spent on insurance, registration, road
tax, and additional expenses that may incur at the time of total loss or theft of the
vehicle.
Towing Charges Coverage
In case your business vehicle met with an accident in a manner that it cannot be driven
on its own and requires towing, then the cost incurred in towing is covered under this
add-on cover.
(Add-on covers may vary from insurer to insurer and are available at an extra
cost)
Get Quotes
What is Not included in my Commercial Vehicle Insurance?
The commercial vehicle insurance does not provide cover under the following
circumstances:
• Mechanical and electrical breakdown
• Failure or breakage
• Wear & tear
• Consequential loss
• Any accidental loss, damage or liability incurred outside the permitted geographical
region
• Loss/Damage when driving under the influence of alcohol
• Loss/Damage when driving with an invalid driving license
• Loss due to war, mutiny or nuclear risk
• Claims that don’t come under the terms of the insurance contract
• Use of vehicle for a purpose not mentioned in the policy document
• Employee(s) of the Insured other than the owner/driver of the commercial vehicle
(Note: Exclusions may vary from insurer to insurer)