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title: "Fleet Insurance: What It Is + How to Choose the Right Policy | Geotab"
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> **Original source:** https://www.geotab.com/blog/fleet-insurance/?utm_source=openai

Businesses consider fleet insurance the best and most efficient option for insuring multiple vehicles under a single policy. With fleet insurance, your company can insure numerous vehicles while eliminating the need for individual policies. 

Large trucks account for [9% of all vehicles](https://www.geotab.com/blog/road-crash-statistics/) involved in fatal crashes. That’s why any business operating vehicles needs to have a comprehensive, well-managed fleet insurance policy in place. 

In this guide, we’ll break down how fleet insurance works, what it covers, how much [commercial truck insurance costs](https://www.geotab.com/blog/commercial-truck-insurance-cost/) and what you can do to reduce your premiums.

## **What is fleet insurance?**

Fleet insurance is a type of commercial auto insurance that covers multiple vehicles under one policy. It provides coverage for risks associated with operating fleets, physical damage and liability. 

It’s designed for businesses that operate a fleet, typically five or more vehicles, and want to simplify insurance management, reduce paperwork and often lower overall costs.

This type of policy is especially convenient for businesses that operate a fleet because it:

-   **Reduces the number of policies to keep track of**, creating less hassle for administrative staff
-   **Makes it easier to add or remove vehicles** from the commercial truck insurance policy as the business scales
-   **Is simple to add drivers** to the insurance policy as they are onboarded
-   **Allows businesses to insure all drivers** on all vehicles or assign specific drivers to specific fleet vehicles

Fleet insurance helps businesses stay protected, compliant and focused without juggling multiple standalone policies.

## **How does fleet insurance work?**

Fleet insurance combines coverage for multiple vehicles and drivers into a single policy. Instead of managing separate policies for each vehicle, businesses get one policy that covers their entire fleet, often with more flexible terms and cost benefits.

When onboarding new vehicles or drivers, you can simply update the existing policy without starting from scratch. You can choose to insure all drivers on all vehicles (known as “any driver” coverage) or assign specific drivers to specific vehicles. 

Many policies also allow customization based on usage, location and [fleet risk](https://www.geotab.com/blog/fleet-risk-management-guide/) profile. 

## **How fleet insurance policies are structured** 

Fleet insurance policies can be structured in different ways depending on how your business operates, who drives your vehicles and the level of flexibility you need. For example, a business with a small group of assigned drivers may choose a policy that covers only named employees, while a larger operation with multiple drivers per vehicle may benefit from broader driver coverage. 

While coverage varies by insurer, most policies allow businesses to customize driver eligibility, coverage limits and deductibles to match their fleet's risk profile. Many insurers also allow you to add or remove vehicles and drivers without purchasing a new policy, making fleet insurance easier to manage as your business grows.

## **Who needs fleet insurance?**

Fleet insurance is designed for businesses that operate multiple vehicles. It is a good fit for:

-   **Delivery and logistics companies** that operate vans, trucks or last-mile delivery vehicles
-   **Construction and trades businesses** with service trucks, work vans or heavy equipment
-   **Transportation and shuttle services** that transport passengers or goods
-   **Sales teams** with company-owned cars used for business travel
-   **Businesses operating five or more vehicles** that want to simplify policy management and potentially reduce insurance costs

Some industries have additional insurance needs due to the nature of their operations. 

For example, businesses involved in refrigerated transport, hazardous materials hauling or passenger transportation may need specialized endorsements or higher coverage limits to meet regulatory requirements and protect against industry-specific risks.

## **Types of fleet insurance**

You can customize fleet insurance policies based on how your vehicles are used. Here are a few common types:

**Insurance types**

**Best for**

Light vehicle fleet insurance

Cars and light-duty vans used for business operations, such as sales visits or service calls

Heavy truck fleet insurance

Larger commercial vehicles such as transport trucks, delivery trucks or construction equipment

Mixed fleet insurance

Businesses with a combination of vehicles (e.g., vans, cars and trucks) 

Any driver fleet insurance

Authorizing drivers in your organization to operate any fleet vehicle

Named driver fleet insurance

Restricting coverage to specific drivers assigned to certain vehicles 

[Telematics insurance](https://www.geotab.com/blog/telematics-insurance/)

Adjusting premiums based on real-world driving behavior collected from GPS tracking or ELD systems 

## **What does fleet insurance cover?**

A fleet insurance policy typically includes a mix of required and optional coverage options, which you can tailor to the risks your business faces. Here are some fleet insurance requirements and coverages: 

**Fleet insurance requirement** 

**Coverages** 

Automobile liability 

-   Bodily injuries and property damage to any third party involved in a collision caused by your driver

Automobile physical damage

-   Damage to your own vehicles.
-   Collisions involving other vehicles or objects and comprehensive coverage for non-collision events like theft.

Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage

-   Pays for the driver’s injuries or vehicle damage if the driver involved does not have insurance or enough coverage 

Medical payments or personal injury protection (PIP)

-   Medical expenses for your drivers and passengers, regardless of who’s at fault in a crash. 
-   PIP may also cover lost wages or rehabilitation costs, depending on your state's requirements.

Cargo or goods-in-transit coverage

-   Financial loss if valuable goods are lost, damaged or stolen during transport.

Hired and non-owned auto coverage (HNOA)

-   Vehicles your business uses but doesn’t own, like employee-owned cars used for deliveries or rental vehicles.
-   Best for businesses with occasional or temporary vehicle needs.

## **Factors that influence fleet insurance costs**

Fleet vehicle insurance doesn’t have a flat rate, which makes it hard to pin down an exact price. Several factors can impact your total fleet insurance cost:

### **Industry**

Some industries are renowned for riskier driving. For example, industries that have strict time factors, such as couriers, taxi services or personal drivers, are known to have higher insurance premiums. 

This is because their performance is normally measured on their timeliness, which puts pressure on the driver to get to their destination quickly.

### **Type of vehicle**

Just like regular vehicle insurance, the vehicle that you drive helps determine the price that you pay for your insurance policy. 

Some of the attributes of your vehicle that can affect your insurance costs are its annual mileage, age and the location where it will be driven and parked when not in use.

### **Number of vehicles in your fleet**

As a general rule, the more vehicles you have, the lower your insurance costs will be. This might make it harder for a smaller fleet to effectively reduce its insurance premiums.

### **Prior collision or claim history**

When you contact a new insurer, they will ask for your fleet insurance history, including any collisions that have occurred or claims that have been submitted. If the instances are significant, they could impact the cost of your insurance.

To reduce these risky behaviors, consider [driver behavior monitoring](https://www.geotab.com/blog/driver-behavior-monitoring/) tips and tricks to enhance your fleet safety. 

### **Driver motor vehicle records**

Many fleet companies need to ensure that their drivers have an updated motor vehicle record (MVR) every few years. An MVR record includes events such as collisions, suspensions, moving violations, criminal charges and more. 

Insurance premiums can increase if your drivers have a history of risky on-road behavior.

### **Location**

If you operate in an urban area with a lot of other drivers, chances are that your fleet insurance costs will be a little bit higher. Driving in rural areas poses less risk because there are fewer drivers on the road.

### **Deductibles**

Assuming a higher deductible will help keep the cost of insurance premiums lower. However, it also means you'll pay more out of pocket if a claim is filed. It’s important to find the right balance. 

Choose a deductible high enough to reduce your premiums but still manageable in the event of an incident. When deciding on the best deductible level, consider your fleet’s risk profile, cash flow and whether you have a formal [fleet safety program](https://www.geotab.com/blog/fleet-safety-program/) in place. 

## **How to lower fleet insurance premiums**

Despite certain factors contributing to higher insurance rates, there are ways to keep those costs down and ensure that you aren’t overspending when it comes to insurance. Here are just some ways to help lower your fleet insurance:

### **1\. Use telematics** 

Using an [electronic logging device (ELD)](https://www.geotab.com/fleet-management-solutions/eld/) to gather information from your fleet vehicles can help you save money on your fleet management insurance. 

Telematics software helps gather information about your drivers' safety. This includes information about [harsh braking](https://www.geotab.com/blog/halting-harsh-braking-improve-fleet-safety/), rapid acceleration, speed, distracted driving and sharp turns. 

That way, you can supply your insurance provider with data indicating you operate a safe fleet and, ultimately, reduce [fleet costs](https://www.geotab.com/blog/fleet-costs/). This method of calculating insurance costs is called [usage-based insurance](https://www.geotab.com/blog/usage-based-insurance/).

###  **2. Identify areas for driver improvement** 

Identifying areas for improvement in your fleet drivers through [driver scoring and coaching solutions](https://www.geotab.com/fleet-management-solutions/driver-coaching/) helps pinpoint which drivers could benefit from advanced training. Having training courses on your driver's record helps strengthen your commitment to safe, effective driving in your insurer's eyes.

### **3\. Invest in fleet dash cameras** 

Equipping your fleet with [dash cams](https://www.geotab.com/fleet-management-solutions/fleet-dash-cams/) helps identify risky behavior as it happens, including tailgating, lane departures and drowsy or distracted driving. Fleet dash cams also provide unequivocal proof in the case that a collision occurs and can help lower the cost of any incurred insurance claims.

## **Examples of fleet insurance companies** 

Choosing the right insurance provider can help protect your vehicles, drivers and cargo while supporting compliance with industry regulations. Below are examples of insurance companies that offer [commercial fleet insurance](https://www.geotab.com/fleet-management-solutions/commercial-fleet-insurance/) or partner with telematics platforms like Geotab.

**Provider**

**Key features**

**Best for** 

**Bundling/Discounts**

1st Guard

Specializes in trucking insurance, direct carrier, online policy management

Owner-operators and small fleets

Flexible coverage with simple claims handling

[Cover Whale Insurance Open in new window](https://marketplace.geotab.com/solutions/cover-whale-insurance/)  

Telematics-first underwriting, fast online quoting

Small trucking companies and new ventures

Savings for safe driving

Cottingham & Butler

Dedicated fleet risk services, loss control programs

Trucking, logistics and transportation companies

Telematics-based incentives

[HDVI Shift Open in new window](https://marketplace.geotab.com/solutions/hdvi-shift/)

Dynamic insurance pricing based on telematics data

Small to mid-sized trucking fleets

Discounts for improved safety scores

HUB International

Fleet insurance plus risk management and compliance services

Diverse fleet operations

Custom programs for fleets

## **How to choose the right fleet insurance**

Choosing an insurer can be time-consuming, but it is also a very personal and customizable experience that differs from one business to the next. Here are some ways you can get the best fleet insurance plan for your business:

### **Get familiar with your data**

Benchmarking yourself against others using [fleet data analytics](https://www.geotab.com/blog/fleet-data-analytics/) can give you a good idea of where you stand in terms of operating safely. This should give you a good idea of what kind of situations you need insurance for. 

From there, you can create a checklist of things to look for and questions to ask when you research different fleet insurance options.

### **Consider insurers with add-ons** 

Some insurers offer add-ons with their policies that might be necessary for your fleet, such as: 

-   Increased coverage for physical damage
-   Higher liability coverage
-   Product insurance for the assets being transported
-   Roadside assistance coverage
-   Uninsured motorist coverage

### **Look for performance-based discounts** 

You can also ask about other performance-based discounts. Some insurers offer reduced premiums for clean driving records or fleets with no recent claims. If your data shows your team is driving responsibly, make sure your insurer rewards you for it.

## **Protect your business with fleet insurance** 

More than just a legal requirement, fleet insurance is a strategic asset. The right policy helps you protect your drivers, vehicles and business from unexpected financial loss, all while simplifying the insurance process as you grow.

By leveraging tools like [vehicle telematics devices](https://www.geotab.com/vehicle-telematics/), dash cams and data-driven coaching, you can reduce premiums and show insurers that your fleet takes safety seriously. 

Learn more about how Geotab can help you leverage your telematics data, lower insurance costs and promote safe driving initiatives today.