Commercial Auto Insurance
When your business relies on vehicles, proper coverage is essential. Whether your team is making deliveries, hauling tools, or traveling between job sites, commercial auto insurance helps protect your vehicles, drivers, and business from real-world risks. At Wisco Insurance, we help Wisconsin businesses secure commercial auto coverage that meets legal requirements and supports daily operations — without unnecessary complexity.
What’s Covered by Commercial Auto Insurance
Liability Coverage
Pays for injuries or property damage your driver causes to others in an accident. Liability coverage is required by Wisconsin law for business-owned vehicles and helps protect your business from costly claims and lawsuits.
Collision Coverage
Helps pay for repairs or replacement if a company vehicle is damaged in a crash, regardless of who was at fault. This coverage is especially important for businesses that depend on vehicles to stay operational.
Comprehensive Coverage
Covers damage from non-collision events such as hail, wind, theft, vandalism, fire, or falling objects. Wisconsin’s changing weather and seasonal storms make comprehensive coverage an important part of protecting business vehicles.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Protects your business if one of your vehicles is hit by a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the damages. This coverage helps close the gap when the at-fault party’s policy falls short.
Hired and Non-Owned Auto Coverage
Extends protection when employees use personal vehicles or rented vehicles for business purposes. This is especially valuable for businesses with sales teams, service technicians, or employees who travel between locations.
Why Commercial Auto Insurance Matters in Wisconsin
It’s Required by State Law
Wisconsin requires liability insurance for business-owned vehicles, and proof of coverage must be carried at all times. Proper insurance helps ensure compliance and keeps your business moving without interruptions.
Weather and Road Conditions Increase Risk
Snow, ice, wind, and hail can create hazardous driving conditions throughout Wisconsin. Collision and comprehensive coverage help protect your vehicles from damage caused by seasonal weather and road conditions.
Employee Use Can Create Liability
If an employee is involved in an accident while driving for work — whether in a company vehicle or their own — your business can be held responsible. Commercial auto insurance helps protect against lawsuits, repair costs, and unexpected expenses tied to employee driving.
Commercial Auto Insurance FAQs
What’s the difference between commercial and personal auto insurance?
Commercial auto insurance is designed for vehicles used for business purposes, while personal auto policies are intended for everyday, non-business driving. In Wisconsin, using a personal policy for work activities — such as deliveries, hauling tools, visiting job sites, or transporting clients — can lead to coverage gaps or denied claims. Commercial auto policies account for higher mileage, multiple drivers, heavier loads, and increased liability exposure common to business use, making them essential for companies operating in and around Janesville, Kenosha, and Brodhead.
Who needs commercial auto insurance in Wisconsin?
Any business that owns vehicles or uses vehicles regularly for work should consider commercial auto insurance. This includes contractors, delivery services, landscapers, service technicians, sales teams, and businesses with fleets or even a single company car. Wisconsin businesses can also be held liable when employees drive personal vehicles for work-related tasks, making coverage important even when vehicles aren’t company-owned. If driving is part of how your business operates, commercial auto coverage is typically necessary.
Does commercial auto insurance cover trailers and equipment?
Commercial auto insurance can cover certain trailers and attached equipment, but coverage depends on how the policy is structured. Some trailers may be covered while attached to an insured vehicle, while others require separate coverage. Tools and equipment transported in vehicles often need additional inland marine or equipment coverage. For Wisconsin businesses hauling materials between job sites or towing trailers across rural and urban roads, reviewing these details helps avoid uncovered losses.
Can employees drive personal vehicles for work under my policy?
Yes, but only if your policy includes hired and non-owned auto coverage. This coverage helps protect your business if an employee causes an accident while driving their own vehicle for work purposes, such as running errands, visiting clients, or traveling between locations. Without this coverage, your business could still be held responsible for damages. Many Wisconsin businesses rely on this protection to manage liability tied to employee driving.
How are commercial auto insurance premiums calculated in Wisconsin?
Commercial auto premiums are based on factors such as vehicle type, number of vehicles, driving radius, driver history, industry risk, and how vehicles are used. Businesses operating across southern Wisconsin — including urban areas like Kenosha and rural routes near Brodhead — may see rates influenced by mileage and exposure. Maintaining safe driving practices, accurate driver records, and properly classified vehicle use can help manage costs over time.