Commercial or Personal Auto: Which is Right?

If, like many Americans, your family car is also used for purposes that could be considered commercial use, you may want to steer yourself into a chair and look over your insurance policy.

You'll need to consider buying a commercial policy or make sure your existing policy covers the vehicle for business use.  Every company has different guidelines and may surcharge for business-use coverage on a personal auto policy.

One thing to keep in mind when determining if you should have a commercial auto or personal auto policy is that it isn't where you drive, but why you are driving:

• Are you a sales manager who visits different stores/locations within your region?
• Are you delivering pizza or other goods to customers?
• Do employees drive your vehicle?
• Do you drive people for a fee?  (Rideshare such as Uber or Lyft)
• Does your vehicle have commercial license plates?
• Do you haul equipment such as trailers, ladders, etc. in or on your vehicle?
• Do you need more liability coverage than a personal auto policy provides?  
• Do you need special coverage for situations encountered while conducting business?  

If you are think that you might need a commercial auto policy, or have questions about what is covered under your personal auto policy, please give your helpful Absolute Insurance agent a call today at 515-279-2722 or email us at service@insaia.com.

Workers' Compensation Insurance

Workers' compensation coverage provides medical expenses, lost wages, and physical rehabilitation costs to employees who are injured or become ill "in the course and scope" of their job.  Additionally, this coverage protects an employer from being sued by an injured worker in most cases.

Absolute Insurance can help your business find complete solutions to your unique workers compensation insurance needs.  We'll find solutions that create safer and more productive workplaces, more confident and secure workers and overall savings you'll see on the bottom line.

Coverage for office workers using their own vehicles on company business is often needed, as well.  If you have employees, it is critical that you consider this workers compensation coverage.

Some Workers Compensation coverage can include:

• Innovative payment systems
• Medical disability case managers
• Utilization management nurses
• Certified life care planning nurses
• Vocational rehabilitation consultants
• Physician consulting services
• Legal staff
• Contracts with medical network providers
• Managed prescription drug program

What are some instances that Workers' Compensation might cover?

• An employee is driving from a client's location back to office and is involved in an accident.  The employee requires hospitalization from the accident
• An employee injures her back lifting a heavy box in the back room, requiring a doctor's attention, medication, and physical therapy.
• An employee slips on a wet floor, injuring himself, requiring an emergency room visit and weeks of recovery time

To find out more about this product and other products and services, contact Absolute Insurance Agency today by calling 515-279-2722 or service@insaia.com.

You've Got Some Q's: We've Got the A's

Q:  I am a pizza delivery driver and I hit another vehicle.  My policy will cover the damage, right?

A:  NO.  A personal auto policy will not cover a vehicle being used for delivery purposes.  The same policy will also not cover paid-for snowplowing or people transportation (i.e. taxis).

You would need to have a commercial auto policy in order to cover this vehicle and the liability properly.

If you engage in these types of business, call your Absolute Agent today to ensure you have the right policy!


Q:  I failed to pay the renewal, but companies have a grace period, right?

A:  NO.  If the renewal payment has not been paid, then there is no coverage at that moment.  There are no grace periods on renewal payments as the policy period has expired.  These are handled differently than regular monthly bills that do have a short grace period.


Q:  How often should I get my jewelry appraised in order to keep it as a separate rider on my insurance policy.

A:  You'll want to get such things appraised about every 3-5 years.  This is in your best interest as the price of gold and precious metals and stones have increased drastically over the past 2 years.  For instance, if you had a ring appraised in 2002 and it came to a value of $2,000 and now it would appraise at $10,000 in order to replace, then the company would only be responsible for providing the $2,000 in coverage.  As you can see, given the vast increases in value on these types of things, it is very important to update these every 3-5 years.