Commercial Auto Insurance in Washington

For business owners in Washington state, having commercial auto insurance is very important. It helps protect your work vehicles and your business from problems that come with the state’s busy cities and different types of roads. No matter where you’re based in the state, the right insurance can help you avoid big repair bills and legal trouble.

What is Commercial Auto Insurance in Washington?

Commercial auto insurance is a special kind of car insurance designed for vehicles used for business purposes. It covers things like accidents, property damage, and lost cargo—things that regular car insurance usually doesn't cover.

If your vehicle is owned by your business, used to move goods, or driven by employees for work, you probably need commercial insurance—no matter how infrequently the vehicle is used. A good rule of thumb is that if you use your car for more than just commuting to and from work, you should have commercial auto insurance. Any employee who drives your vehicle(s) must also be listed on the commercial auto policy.

With GEICO’s Commercial Auto insurance, policyholders can also drive vehicles for personal use without needing a separate policy.

Who Needs Commercial Auto Insurance in Washington?

Commercial auto insurance is essential for many different jobs, whether a business has lots of vehicles or just one car used for work. The good news is that GEICO offers flexible insurance plans that can fit businesses of all sizes. Our policies are designed to provide each company with the right protection tailored to the type of work they do and the risks they face.

Here are some jobs that usually need commercial auto insurance:

• Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC professionals: These professionals often drive trucks full of tools to different job sites. Insurance helps protect their vehicles and equipment while they’re on the road in cities and rural areas across Washington.
• Carpenters, painters, and other contractors: Their vehicles carry tools and materials needed for jobs. Insurance helps keep drivers and their materials safe while on the road in Washington.
• Landscapers and plow services: Due to Washington’s changing weather, especially snowy winters in the east, these workers need insurance to protect their trucks and equipment from damage or accidents.
• Caterers and food vendors: They use vehicles to move food and cooking equipment. Commercial insurance helps cover them in case of an accident or if food gets spoiled while being delivered.
• Long-haul trucking: Trucking companies that move goods across Washington and beyond need insurance to cover their trucks and cargo, protecting them from any damage or problems along the way.
• Other business types: If you use a personal or company car for work—like delivering items or transporting tools—commercial auto insurance offers more protection than a regular car policy. It helps keep your business safe and covered.

Minimum Washington Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements

FMCSA and USDOT Compliance in Washington

The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) is a government agency that regulates the safety of commercial vehicles traveling across the U.S., including Washington state. The USDOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) assigns unique identification numbers to commercial vehicles and companies to track their safety records and compliance with federal rules.

For businesses in Washington that use commercial vehicles, both FMCSA and USDOT regulations affect their insurance requirements. Commercial auto insurance policies typically need to meet specific coverage minimums set by these agencies to ensure the business is properly protected while complying with the law.

Optional Commercial Auto Coverages & Add-Ons in New Jersey

Optional add-ons for commercial auto insurance usually include extra coverages like comprehensive, which protects your vehicle from things like theft or weather damage that aren’t caused by a crash. Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle, no matter who caused the accident. Other common add-ons include rental reimbursement, which helps cover the cost of a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired. Additionally, coverage is available for vehicles your business uses but doesn’t own, such as rentals or employee cars.

These extra coverages provide your business with more protection than the basic policy and can be customized to match the kind of work you do and the risks you face. However, some types of coverage are required by Washington state law, such as bodily injury liability and property damage liability. These are necessary to ensure there’s at least some financial protection in the event of an accident. You can’t remove these required coverages without facing penalties.

Standard Commercial Auto Insurance Coverages in Washington

When you choose GEICO for your commercial auto insurance, you’ll get a variety of coverages that help protect your vehicles, your employees, and your business’s money. Some of these coverages are required by Washington state law and must be included, while others are optional and can be added for extra protection in case something unexpected happens.

Here are some of the coverages you can get with a GEICO commercial auto policy:

• Liability Coverage: Helps pay for damage or injuries you cause to other people in an accident.
• Collision Coverage: Pays to fix your vehicle if it’s damaged in a crash, even if the accident is your fault.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Protects your vehicle from things like theft, vandalism, or weather damage.
• Medical Payments Coverage: Helps cover medical bills for you and your passengers after an accident.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Protects you if another driver causes an accident and doesn’t have enough—or any—insurance.

Types of Vehicles Covered in Washington

Commercial auto insurance covers many different types of business vehicles—from small cars used by real estate agents to big box trucks and vans used in construction or deliveries. No matter what kind of vehicle your business uses, GEICO offers flexible policies that can be customized to fit your needs. Whether you have just one vehicle or several delivery trucks, you can get the right amount of protection.

Here are some of the vehicles covered by GEICO’s commercial auto insurance:

• Business Vehicles: Cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks used for business tasks or deliveries.
• Contractor Vehicles: Vans and trucks used to carry tools and equipment for jobs.
• Delivery & Service Vehicles: Vehicles used to make deliveries or do repairs.
• Food Trucks & Restaurant Vehicles: Food trucks, catering vans, and vehicles used for food delivery are protected against physical damage and damage to permanently attached equipment. However, food spoilage, foodborne illness, product liability (e.g., hot beverages), equipment breakdowns, and allergic reactions are not covered. That’s because food-related illnesses fall under General Liability since the customer is “injured” by the business—this makes General Liability a wise investment for food-focused vehicles. You can also add business personal property protection to the GL to cover additional business items.
• Heavy Trucks: Large trucks like tractor-trailers, dump trucks, box trucks, flatbeds, and cargo & freight.
• Owner-Operator Trucks: Trucks or vans owned and run by individuals, even if leased to a company.
• Non-Trucking Liability: Covers trucks when they aren’t hauling cargo or working.
• Specialty Vehicles: Unique vehicles like refrigerated trucks, buses, or others used for special jobs.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Washington Commercial Auto Insurance

When it comes to the cost of commercial auto insurance in Washington, several key factors can impact the amount a business pays. While insurance prices in Washington are typically around the same or slightly lower than the national average, the actual cost can vary significantly depending on the specifics of each business.

Insurance companies look at many factors when deciding your price, including:

• Profession/Industry: Some jobs, like construction or delivery, may lead to higher insurance costs in Washington.
• Vehicle Type and Use: Bigger or special-use vehicles—like cargo vans or work trucks—usually cost more to insure because they’re more expensive to repair and more likely to cause damage.
• Driving History: Businesses with drivers who have clean records usually pay less. If there have been accidents or tickets, the price can go up.
• Coverage Limits: Choosing more coverage gives you better protection, but it also makes the insurance more expensive.

Why Choose GEICO for Washington Commercial Auto Insurance?

We understand—business owners in Washington have lots of options for commercial auto insurance. So why go with GEICO?

GEICO is a smart choice because of its quick and easy claims process, which helps your business get back on the road faster. Whether you use just one vehicle or oversee several delivery trucks, GEICO offers flexible plans that fit your business needs. Plus, you’ll get help from friendly and experienced representatives who are there to give you personal service and support whenever you need it.

No matter how you look at it, it’s easy to see why so many Washington business owners choose GEICO for their commercial auto insurance.

How to Get a Washington Commercial Auto Insurance Quote from GEICO

Getting a commercial auto insurance quote from GEICO is fast and easy. You can do it online, by phone, or in person. It only takes a few minutes to get started, and doing it now can help you avoid big problems and costly surprises later. Don’t wait—get your free quote today and protect your business with confidence.