Risk & Business Magazine Miller Insurance Fall 2016 | Page 29

VEHICLE USE

Do You Use Your Vehicle
For Business Use?
Full Disclosure

“Most insurance companies classify vehicle
use into one of three categories: transit or
commuting to work, commercial use, or
pleasure and errands only.”

W

hile these categories
accurately describe
the types of driving
done by most people,
some drivers who use
their vehicles for business purposes face
a dilemma. Should they report that they
only use their vehicles to commute to
work, or should they acknowledge that
they use their vehicles for commercial
purposes and face higher premiums? The
answer is that you must disclose the actual
use of your vehicle in order to be properly
insured, but you should make sure you are
clear as to the extent that you use your
vehicle for business.
If you drive your vehicle to work but also
use it to visit clients for limited business
reasons, you may need an Incidental
Business Use rating. For a small increase
in premium, you won’t have to worry
about having any problems at the time of a

claim. Imagine the hardship of finding out
you are unable to collect after an accident,
especially after faithfully paying your
insurance premiums, because you failed to
disclose the actual use of the vehicle. Don’t
be caught in a situation like this! When in
doubt, talk to us about your vehicle usage
and see if you need Incidental Business
Use.

commercial vehicle policy include real
estate sales, fast food delivery, catering,
and landscaping or snowplowing services,
to name a few.
It is important that we know how you use
your vehicle so we can recommend the
best coverage to suit your needs. If you are
in doubt, call us. We are on your side. +

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INSURANCE
ISN’T JUST FOR BIG TRUCKS
If you work as a plumber, painter,
carpenter or some other type of contractor,
you may need to be rated for Commercial
Use instead of Commute to Work.
Whether you are self-employed or work
for a larger company, your insurance
company could deny your claim if you
failed to disclose the commercial use of
your vehicle.
Other vehicle uses that may require a

BY: MILLER INSURANCE

FALL 2016

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