Is Your Business Vehicle Ready for Spring?

Is Your Business Vehicle Ready for Spring?

During the winter, road salt is essential to prevent dangerous travel in icy conditions. However, road salt has been known to accelerate rust on vehicles over time. Cleaning the outside of your vehicle, especially the undercarriage, can help remove road salt that may have stuck to the frame. A clean vehicle can also leave a good impression on customers. 

Watch for Potholes 

Unfortunately, spring and potholes go hand in hand. Driving over potholes can lead to all sorts of issues, such as damage to your wheel alignment, or even a punctured tire. Stay alert while driving your commercial vehicle. If driving over a pothole cannot be avoided, try to reduce your speed as much as possible.

Use Your Headlights When Appropriate

Rain and fog can reduce visibility on the road. To make sure other drivers and pedestrians can see you, use your headlights when appropriate.

Take a Look at Your Windshield Wipers

After the winter is a good time to take a look at how your windshield wipers are performing. Are they leaving streaks across the windshield? Are they showing visible cracks? Do they make scraping noises when you use them? These could all be red flags that it is time to replace the wipers on your business vehicle.

Confirm When Your Last Oil Change Was

Business vehicles typically put on more miles than an average driver. Take note of when your last oil change was and check all fluids.

Check Your Tires and Brakes

If you had winter tires on your vehicle, don’t forget to swap those over. It’s a good idea to have your auto technician take a look at your wheel alignment and inspect your brakes. Road salt has been known to damage brakes.

Test Your Battery

Extreme cold temperatures that come with winter can add a lot of stress on your battery. Ensure that the connections on your battery are corrosion free.

Review Your Commercial Auto Insurance Policy

Whether you are looking for a quote for auto insurance, or would like to review your policy, reach out to one of our offices to start the process. We work with many different carriers and can show you options.

Do I need Commercial Auto Insurance for My Business?

If you use vehicles for your business, commercial auto insurance is a smart choice, even if you are leasing the vehicles. Commercial auto insurance policies typically have higher coverage limits than personal policies. If you are unsure if your business needs commercial auto coverage, consider if you use the vehicle for any of the following:

• Transporting tools to a job site
• Delivering goods to customers
• Having an employee run an errand in the vehicle
• Driving to different job sites in one day

Additionally, if your business transports goods across state lines, you may be required by law to carry commercial auto insurance.

What Do I Need to Get a Commercial Auto Insurance Quote?

If you are ready to take the next step and reach out for an auto insurance quote, collecting needed information beforehand can help save some time. Below is a list of what your insurance agent may ask for to start the quoting process, although they may need additional items not listed here:

• List of drivers (Name, date of birth, driver’s license number)
• List of vehicles (Year, make, model, VIN, cost new)
• Loss run
• Lienholder information (if any)
• Radius and use

 

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This article is for general informational purposes only and is not to be relied upon or used for any particular purpose. Cross Insurance shall not be held responsible in any way for, and specifically disclaims any liability arising out of or in any way connected to, reliance on or use of any of the information contained in this article. The information contained or referenced in this article is not intended to constitute and should not be considered legal, insurance, accounting or other professional advice, nor shall it serve as a substitute for the recipient obtaining such advice. The views expressed in this article are that of its author and do not necessarily represent the views of Cross Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Cross Insurance”) or Cross Insurance’s management or shareholders.