Private passenger vehicles are defined as land conveyances that are designed to carry passengers rather than cargo, materials, tools, or products. They usually have four wheels. One might think that the majority of cars are used strictly for personal use. And perhaps most are. But, there are many ways in which a four wheeled vehicle with seats for passengers can be used in for commercial purposes.
Taxi. Taxicab companies often purchase retired law enforcement vehicles. Other four door four wheel cars and vans can be spotted on the streets of Portland painted green, yellow, blue, red, and black and white. Some of these are covered under a blanket commercial policy by the taxicab company. Others are independently owned vehicles but are dispatched by a single contracting cab operation. The need for commercial insurance is obvious. These vehicles are on the road as much as twenty-four hours a day with a single operator or shared operators.
Livery. This should be distinguished from a taxi. A taxi has no set route and each fare or passenger pick-up is random with no set destination. Livery is still the transportation of passenger for hire but with a specific pick-up time and destination. A perfect example of this would be a driver of a wheelchair accessible mini-van that picks up an elderly resident from a retirement community home and takes her to a doctor's appointment. There is no fare paid at the time of drop-off. The fare or cost is usually paid for in advance. There are no time constraints usually associated with this service. But it is a commercial activity involving the use of a private passenger vehicle.
The number of passengers and destinations in one day for a livery driver and a taxi driver vary widely. So, you can see that the difference of risk or the potential of being involved in an automobile accident can also vary greatly. It's a little more difficult to secure auto insurance for a taxi. If you have any questions about the service you provide and how it should be covered, please call us. We'd be happy to discuss the options if you find the type of business you are in is the pick-up and delivery of passengers.
Salesmen. You carry samples, books, manuals, and brochures in your car. Perhaps you are armed with a laptop, PDA, and a cell phone. You call on businesses that use your services or products and hope that the prospect becomes your client. You drive from one location to another. Maybe you cover the entire State of Oregon. You may have leased the vehicle or own it out right. Perhaps you have formed a limited liability company or a corporation and put your car in the company name. Maybe you meet clients for lunch or coffee, maybe you pick them up. These all describe the typical salesman or woman's daily business activities. Is your car properly covered? Are you and your passengers properly covered? If you have a personal auto policy, maybe not! Please give us a call. We'd be happy to review the coverage you have and make suggestions to enhance the policy you have or provide you with a quote for coverage that may be more appropriate for your needs.
Supervisors. Say you work for a construction company. It's not your job necessarily to carry tools or pick-up and deliver materials to a job site, but rather to check on the operations, meet with subcontractors, builders, developers, inspectors, real estate agents, property managers, or buyers. It might be your job to bid on a job. A big pickup truck might not be the most efficient way to get around. Gas prices might make it more appropriate to drive a more economical car. Or, you may want to provide a more luxurious private passenger car or SUV for purposes of carrying other interested parties around to the job sites. Again, a personal auto policy may not be appropriate for this scenario. Be sure you have the right coverage for the activity you are asked to perform.
Couriers. You get up in the morning and have your coffee in a cup holder next to your seat. You have a route that takes you from pick-up point to pick-up point. You gather papers, documents, small packages, small products. At the end of your shift you drop them off at one location. Your day is done. You job is done. You get up the next day and do it all over again. Maybe your job is to fill up your mini-van with materials and distribute them to various locations through out the day. You know the streets of Portland and all its outlying areas. You aren't under any time delays. Your sedan, wagon, or van is perfect for this job. But do you have the right kind of car insurance for the work you are doing? Let us help you find the right coverage. Call us today.
In general, if you drive a four-wheeled passenger car and go to more than one site for business related purposes or for hire or are carrying passengers, you probably need a commercial auto policy. Oregon has lots of business opportunities and is known for its entrepreneurial spirit. Small business is alive and well in this State. We want to help your business grow. We want to make sure the private passenger vehicles you place into service for the growth of your business are properly insured. Call us today for a free and comprehensive review of your commercial car insurance needs.