Differentiating Business Usage and Personal Usage PDF Print E-mail
Written by Graham McKenzie   
Wednesday, 24 March 2010 10:40
Personal car insurance and business car insurance are necessities in our daily life. Many differences align the two and the price varies as well. When it comes to personal and business car insurance, there are some distinct differences.
by GrahamMcKenzie


Personal car insurance and business car insurance are necessities in our daily life. Many differences align the two and the price varies as well. When it comes to personal and business car insurance, there are some distinct differences.

When a business chooses to get a car insurance policy, they need to look at a few things. First, they need to address who will be on the policy. For example, in a personal policy, you have the responsibility of your family. Your family is a lot less liable than your business, even if you have a teenager. The best thing a business can do is retrieve the applicants driving record before they hire them on as an employee. By doing this, you are ensuring your insurance premiums to not skyrocket as well as the fact that you would even be able to add them on.

Business insurance versus personal car insurance varies by what you are going to be using your vehicle for. An example of business use would be transmitting items or hauling items to a different location that you would not be doing personally. In fact, this is business activity. There are business polices that directly deal with this type of situation; thereby making it more flexible of a policy.

The use for business and the use for personal can sometimes get confusing. This is why it is imperative that you use some kind of tracker. In more recent times, many people turn to a computerized log do keep track of miles and gas. This helps keep the lines between personal and business clear.

As always, a separate business policy is always recommended over a joint policy. There are many liabilities that come with business and to place your personal use in the middle is not often a good idea. If you are going to proceed using a personal policy for limited business use, you will need to contact the company you are insured with immediately and let them know. This will help prevent any claims being turned down in the event that something happens and you are using it for business use.

People often do not see the difference between personal and business use because they are so accustomed to doing it. If you have received a promotion and are required to drive to location, etc.; you are using your vehicle for business use. The same could be said about realtors. Each time a realtor drives to a property to show it or do anything, they are using it for business use. Even if the employer is giving gas, toll and mileage reimbursement, you are still required to have business coverage.

Never be challenged later down the road with not having adequate coverage or being denied a claim because you did not inform the insurance company of your situation. Talk to an agent and get the best deal.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.