Commercial Auto Insurance in Kentucky

Running a business in Kentucky means keeping your vehicles protected so you can stay focused on the road ahead. Whether you’re driving across Louisville’s busy streets, making deliveries in Lexington, or managing service calls in Bowling Green, having the right insurance for your work vehicles is important. GEICO helps keep your business moving with coverage options tailored to the way you drive for work.

What is Commercial Auto Insurance in Kentucky?

Commercial auto insurance protects vehicles used for business purposes. If you or your employees drive for work, whether it’s transporting equipment, making deliveries, or traveling between job sites, you likely need a commercial auto policy in Kentucky. Your commercial auto policy offers important protections, including liability coverage for work-related accidents, as well as physical damage coverage for your vehicles. To ensure your employees receive coverage, check that every employee who drives your business vehicles is listed on your commercial auto policy.

Who Needs Commercial Auto Insurance in Kentucky?

If you use a vehicle for business in Kentucky, a personal auto policy may not be enough. However, every policy is different, so be sure to confirm with your insurer what tasks are allowable under your personal auto policy. Vehicles titled in a business name, too heavy for personal coverage, or used for work-related tasks often require commercial auto insurance. Common professions and business types that benefit from commercial auto insurance include:

  • Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC professionals who drive to customer locations with tools and equipment.
  • Long-haul trucking: Drive far and carry valuable cargo, so they need strong insurance that meets all legal requirements.
  • Carpenters, painters, and other contractors transporting supplies to job sites.
  • Landscapers and plow services operating trucks and trailers for outdoor projects.
  • Caterers and food vendors, including food trucks, require protection for their vehicles and permanently attached equipment. Food spoilage, food-borne illness, product liability, equipment breakdowns, and allergic reactions are not covered.
  • Other businesses, like real estate agents and sales professionals, who regularly drive for work-related appointments.

Minimum Kentucky Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements

Like most states, Kentucky requires businesses to carry a minimum amount of commercial auto insurance to protect the drivers on its roads.

Coverage Type Minimum Requirement in Kentucky
Bodily Injury Liability $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability $25,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) $10,000

Understanding PIP Coverage in Kentucky

Kentucky is a no-fault state that requires commercial drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. PIP helps cover medical expenses, lost wages, and certain other costs related to your recovery, no matter who caused the car accident. It may sound similar to Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage, but it offers broader protection. While MedPay only covers medical bills, PIP addresses a wider range of recovery-related expenses.

Optional Commercial Auto Coverages & Add-Ons in Kentucky

State-mandated coverage is a strong starting point, but it won’t cover every situation or risk. Many Kentucky business owners choose to add coverages like the following to their commercial auto policies for greater protection:

Federal Compliance for Business Vehicles in Kentucky

Businesses in Kentucky that operate heavy commercial vehicles may need to meet federal safety and registration requirements in addition to having insurance. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) require many businesses to obtain a USDOT number if they operate vehicles weighing 10,001 pounds or more.

FMCSA regulations also often include vehicle inspections, driver qualification files, and hours-of-service rules to make sure drivers remain safe and rested on the road. Depending on your business' nature, you may also need to follow maintenance recordkeeping requirements and driver drug and alcohol testing programs.

Types of Vehicles Covered in Kentucky

GEICO’s commercial auto policies cover many types of vehicles used for business purposes in Kentucky, including:

  • Business Vehicles: Company cars, SUVs, and pickups used for business errands or deliveries.
  • Contractor Vehicles: Work vans and trucks for transporting tools and equipment.
  • Delivery & Service Vehicles: Vans or trucks for deliveries, repairs, or client visits.
  • Food Trucks & Restaurant Vehicles: Food trucks, catering vans, and vehicles used for food delivery. These vehicles may want to consider adding a General Liability policy with business personal property protection for coverage that moves with them.
  • Heavy Trucks: Includes tractor-trailers, dump trucks, box trucks, flatbeds, and cargo & freight trucks.
  • Owner-Operator Trucks: Independently operated trucks or vans, including those leased to a company.
  • Non-Trucking Liability: Coverage for trucks when not hauling cargo or under dispatch.
  • Specialty Vehicles: Refrigerated trucks, buses, or other unique vehicles as needed.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Kentucky Commercial Auto Insurance

The cost of commercial auto insurance in Kentucky depends on several key factors. Your profession or industry plays a significant role; contractors who haul tools and materials face different risks than real estate professionals who use their vehicles mainly for client meetings. The type of vehicle you drive and how it’s used also matters because a work van loaded with equipment has different coverage needs than a standard sedan used for sales calls.

Other considerations include driving history and coverage limits. Businesses with drivers who have a clean record may pay less than those with multiple accidents, and choosing higher liability limits will typically increase your premium but provide greater protection. However, the size of any previous settlements generally won’t impact insurance costs.

GEICO offers commercial auto insurance payment plans to help Kentucky businesses get the protection they need.

How to Save on Commercial Auto Insurance in Kentucky

Looking for ways to lower your premium? GEICO offers multiple commercial auto insurance discounts, rewards programs, and savings opportunities in Kentucky, including:

  • Pay in Full: You can save money by paying your entire bill at once instead of monthly payments.
  • DriveEasyPro* Rewards and Savings - Our telematics program can reward you with lower rates for safe driving. DriveEasy Pro is designed to help you understand your driving habits and may help you unlock savings.
  • Vehicle Equipment Features: Business vehicles with certain safety features such as anti-lock brakes, airbags, anti-theft devices, or auxiliary running lamps may qualify for lower rates.
  • Good Driving Record: Drivers with clean driving records may qualify for lower rates because they’re less likely to be involved in accidents.
  • Defensive Driving Discount: Eligibility varies by state, but completing a defensive driving course may help you save even more.
  • CDL Experience Discount: Based on the number of drivers with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), your business may be eligible for extra savings.

Why Choose GEICO for Kentucky Commercial Auto Insurance?

Kentucky business owners trust GEICO because we make commercial auto insurance simple, affordable, and reliable. With flexible coverage options tailored to small and mid-sized businesses, you’ll get protection that fits the way you use your vehicles.

In addition to commercial auto, GEICO partners with trusted carriers to offer options like General Liability and Business Owner’s Policies, giving you flexibility to protect your business beyond the road. With competitive rates and a history of helping Kentucky drivers, GEICO is a wise choice for keeping your business moving forward.

How to Get a Kentucky Commercial Auto Insurance Quote from GEICO

Ready to protect your business vehicles in the Bluegrass State? Get a fast, free Kentucky commercial auto insurance quote online, or contact us for guidance you can count on.

Kentucky Commercial Auto Insurance FAQs

  • Can I add employees as drivers on my commercial auto insurance policy?

    Yes. All employees who will be driving your business vehicles need to be listed on your commercial auto policy. This ensures they’re properly covered while operating company vehicles for work purposes.

  • Are personal vehicles used for business covered under commercial auto insurance?

    With GEICO, if you use your personal vehicle for work and have a commercial auto policy, it can be covered for both business and personal use. This means you don’t need to carry two separate policies. However, if the vehicle is still on a personal auto policy, coverage for business activities may be limited.

  • Are leased or rented vehicles covered by commercial auto insurance in Kentucky?

    Leased vehicles can typically be covered under a GEICO commercial auto policy. Rented or short-term vehicles may require separate rental coverage, depending on the situation. Therefore, it’s essential to review your policy details before relying on a rental for business use.

  • Does my policy cover equipment or inventory stored in my business vehicles?

    Commercial auto insurance covers the vehicle itself and any permanently attached equipment; however, it does not extend to portable tools, inventory, or other business property stored within the vehicle. To protect those items, adding business personal property coverage to a General Liability policy may be a better fit.

Please note:

DriveEasy Pro is not available in all states and situations. Premium rates will generally vary based on the driving habits logged by the program. All active drivers on the policy must participate. All provided devices must be installed and activated as outlined in the DriveEasy Pro program requirements and instructions. For more information, see the DriveEasy Pro User Agreement, Privacy Notice, and FAQs.

*OBD plug-in devices and road-facing dashcams must be returned if a policy is cancelled or a participating vehicle is removed