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California Commercial Auto Insurance
Customizable coverage options for your business vehicles
Protect your business vehicles with California commercial auto insurance
Many of California's 4.2 million small businesses need commercial auto insurance to guard against accidents and other mishaps involving their company vehicles. Personal auto policies usually don't cover cars and trucks used for work because they're typically exposed to more liability.
Over 1 million small business owners across the nation trust Progressive Commercial to protect their vehicles and livelihoods. Each gets customized coverage to match their unique needs, whether they own a single food truck in San Diego or have several company cars in San Francisco.
Trusted by over 1 million small businesses
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Industry Leader
#1 in America*
Trust your vehicles to the top commercial auto and truck insurer.
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Customers
1.2 million+
People nationwide count on us for their commercial auto needs.
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Experience
50+ years
Supporting small business owners for over half a century.
Commercial auto insurance in California for a variety of business types
Business auto
Vehicles driven by employees or used for business activities, such as visiting clients or making deliveries, usually need commercial auto insurance. Personal auto insurance typically doesn't cover vehicles used for work purposes since they face different risks.
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Contractors
Contractors need commercial auto coverage for things like transporting tools and supplies and traveling between job sites. These are business-related activities that benefit from the additional protection of a commercial policy.
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Food truck
Food trucks, restaurants, and ice cream vendors depend on their commercial vehicles to deliver products and serve customers. Many also have expensive, permanently attached equipment that a commercial auto policy can help protect.
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For-hire livery
Vehicles used to transport people for a fee need a commercial auto policy. This includes taxis, limousines, and non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) vehicles. Some ridesharing vehicles might require commercial coverage.
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Heavy truck
We're the #1 truck insurer in the nation,Δ covering everything from dump trucks to tractor trailers. Our network of truck repair shops and specialty claims services is accessible whether you're driving locally or outside California.
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Tow truck
We offer protection whether you own a wrecker, rollback, or roadside repair vehicle. You can add specialty tow coverages like on-hook and garagekeepers legal liability to protect you when a customer's vehicle is in your possession.
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California commercial auto insurance cost
The average monthly cost in 2024 for commercial auto insurance through Progressive Commercial was $272 for contractors and $282 for business auto customers nationwide.‡‡ The cost of your California commercial auto insurance policy will vary, depending on the following factors:
Profession
Not all industries face the same level of risk. For example, a contractor who carries tools and equipment to various job sites every day can expect to pay more than a consultant who runs occasional errands.
Vehicle
Your vehicle's size and use affect your insurance rate. A heavy food truck with a grill and a deep fryer will likely have a higher premium than a small catering van with minimal equipment.
Driving history
Insurers run a motor vehicle report on all drivers with access to your business vehicles, taking the past three years into account. Individuals with accidents or violations on their driving record will usually cause your rate to increase.
Location
It's common to pay more for commercial auto insurance in Los Angeles than in a smaller city like Bakersfield. Keep in mind, prices are usually higher in places with more claims or expensive settlements. Areas prone to weather-related events, such as hurricanes and floods, can also affect your rate.
Travel radius
Your regular driving distance can influence your commercial auto rate. For example, a local route within Fresno's city limits is likely considered lower risk than a regional one that covers all Central California.
Coverage needs
The amount of coverage you need affects your premium. Policyholders with the California state minimum limits of 30/60/15 will pay less than a policyholder needing a combined single limit of $1 million.
California commercial auto liability split limit explained
California's minimum liability coverage — 30/60/15 — is called a split limit. It separates your insurer's maximum payouts into three groups:
- $30,000 for each person injured
- $60,000 for all people injured
- $15,000 for all property damaged
Under California's basic insurance guidelines, your policy will pay up to these amounts if you're at fault for an accident. Learn more about liability coverage and discover ways to save on your commercial auto insurance.
California commercial auto insurance requirements
California state law requires all commercial auto policies to have a minimum liability limit of $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage. Some will need to carry more coverage based on the types of vehicles they insure.
Vehicles with a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) or CA state serial number will have separate coverage rules. For example, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) typically mandates semi trucks and other large vehicles traveling interstate to carry a minimum combined single limit of $750,000.
It's important to select limits that are tailored to your business, in addition to meeting California's commercial auto insurance requirements. The right coverage can protect you from unexpected financial setbacks due to accidents or other incidents on the road.
Find out how different commercial auto insurance coverages work.
California commercial auto resources:
- Commercial Auto Insurance in California (California Department of Insurance)
- California Auto Insurance Guidelines (California Department of Insurance)
- Motor Carrier Permit Information (DOT Operating Authority)
- Register for a CA DOT Number (DOT Operating Authority)
Common professions that need commercial auto insurance in CA:
Businesses that rely on company vehicles should have commercial auto insurance to protect them from related claims. The following professions typically need commercial auto coverage:
- Food trucks
- Pizza delivery
- Landscapers
- Caterers
- Bakeries
- Real estate agents
- Cleaning services
- Rideshare
- Contractors
- Non-emergency medical transport
Browse more professions we insure.
Get California commercial auto insurance with Progressive Commercial
As the #1 commercial auto insurer in the country,* we cover over 2 million commercial drivers. Here are a few reasons small business owners trust us:
Expert policy service by phone or online
Our expert customer service representatives are available to you 24 hours on weekdays and between 8 a.m. and 2 a.m. on weekends. Whether you want to adjust your coverages, request an insurance certificate, or pay a bill, we're here to help.
Specialized commercial claims adjusters
Our in-house adjusters specialize in handling commercial auto claims to help you get back on the road fast.
Discounts†
Take advantage of our various commercial discounts to get the most affordable rate for your California policy.
Business insurance options
In addition to commercial auto insurance, we can help you find other business coverages, including general liability, professional liability, workers' compensation, and more.
Commercial auto insurance anywhere in California
We offer California commercial auto insurance statewide, including these major cities:
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- Fresno
- Sacramento
- Long Beach
- San Jose
- Anaheim
- Bakersfield
- Oakland
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