Commercial Auto Insurance in Burbank, CA - Compare Quotes & Save
From production vans on the 134 to delivery fleets navigating the 5 and 101 freeways, every business vehicle on the road needs more than a personal auto policy. We'll build the right liability, physical damage, hired & non-owned auto, and medical payments coverage - and help you meet California DMV, PUC, and federal requirements from day one.
Who Needs Commercial Auto Insurance in Burbank?
If a vehicle is used primarily for business purposes - or titled in a business name - a personal auto policy won't respond to a claim. Burbank's heavy traffic around the studios, airport proximity, and urban delivery routes create significant exposure. You need commercial coverage if you operate any of the following:
Entertainment & Production
- Film, TV, and commercial production vans
- Equipment transport and grip trucks
- Crew shuttles and location vehicles
Delivery & Logistics
- Couriers and last-mile delivery vans
- Food & beverage distributors
- Wholesale and retail delivery fleets
Service & Trades
- HVAC, plumbing, and electrical contractors
- Landscapers and facility maintenance
- IT and office equipment service techs
Professional & Retail
- Real estate agents using vehicles for client visits
- Sales reps and field service technicians
- Airport shuttle and corporate transport
Even one employee driving a personal vehicle on a work errand creates a hired & non-owned auto exposure. We'll close that gap.
California Commercial Auto Requirements
Minimum Liability
California requires minimum $15,000/$30,000 bodily injury and $5,000 property damage for most commercial autos - but those limits are far too low for business exposures. We routinely quote $500k-$1M CSL for commercial fleets.
PUC / Interstate Requirements
Vehicles operating for-hire or in interstate commerce must carry higher limits. We handle California PUC filings, interstate endorsements, and federal filings for qualifying operations.
Medical Payments Coverage
While California is not a no-fault state, medical payments coverage is a smart addition. It pays medical expenses for drivers and passengers regardless of fault and helps bridge gaps in employee injury protection.
Vehicle Registration & Proof
All commercial vehicles must be properly registered with the DMV. We ensure your insurance meets California DMV requirements for business use and can provide SR-22 or other filings when needed.
Requirements vary by vehicle weight, cargo type, for-hire status, and whether operations are intrastate or interstate. We'll confirm which rules apply to your fleet before binding.
Build the Right Commercial Auto Policy
Commercial Auto Liability (BI/PD)
- Covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to others
- CSL limits from $300k to $2M+ for most fleets
- Separate limits available for smaller fleets
Physical Damage
- Collision: Damage from an accident regardless of fault
- Comprehensive: Theft, vandalism, weather, fire, animal strikes
- Deductibles set per vehicle or per occurrence
Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist
- Protects your drivers and vehicles from low-limit or uninsured at-fault drivers
- Match to your BI limits for full protection
Medical Payments (MedPay)
- Pays medical expenses for drivers/passengers regardless of fault
- Popular limits: $5k-$25k
Hired & Non-Owned Auto (HNOA)
- Covers liability when employees use personal or rented vehicles for work
- Fills the gap your personal auto policy leaves behind
- Can be added to a BOP or standalone commercial auto policy
Tools, Equipment & Cargo
- Tools & equipment in vehicles: scheduled or blanket limits
- Motor truck cargo for freight carriers (separate policy)
- Coordinate with your inland marine or BOP coverage
Fleet tip: Adding a dashcam program and driver safety training can meaningfully reduce both losses and premiums - many carriers offer credits for documented driver monitoring programs.
Burbank Commercial Driving Realities
- Studio & production traffic: Congestion around Warner Bros., Disney, and NBCUniversal creates frequent stop-and-go exposure. Match collision coverage and deductibles accordingly.
- Freeway corridors: Heavy use of the 5, 134, and 101 freeways increases accident frequency. Higher liability limits protect against multi-vehicle incidents common in Southern California traffic.
- Theft & vandalism: Urban and studio-area parking faces elevated comprehensive losses. Anti-theft devices, GPS tracking, and secured lots can reduce premiums.
- Mixed employee fleets: Employees with varying driving records drive pricing. We'll review MVRs early and identify carriers that underwrite your driver profile favorably.
See Why Customers Love Us
What Burbank Businesses Typically Choose
| Coverage | Common Choices | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Liability (CSL) | $500k-$1M per occurrence | Higher for production, delivery, and for-hire operations |
| UM/UIM | Match to BI limits | Protects drivers from underinsured motorists common in CA |
| Medical Payments | $5k-$25k | Helps cover employee and passenger medical costs |
| Collision Deductible | $500-$2,500 per vehicle | Higher deductibles for low-value or older vehicles |
| Comprehensive Deductible | $250-$1,000 | Lower for high-theft areas or new/high-value vehicles |
| Hired & Non-Owned Auto | Match to primary liability | Often added as endorsement; low-cost, high-value |
| Tools & Equipment | $5k-$50k blanket | Document with inventory and receipts |
Average Claim/Loss by Coverage Type in Burbank
Figures are illustrative averages based on commercial auto loss trends in the Burbank / Greater Los Angeles market. Your actual losses will vary based on fleet size, vehicle type, and operations.
Get a Fast Commercial Auto Insurance Quote
Tell us about your vehicles, drivers, and how you use them. We'll compare carriers side-by-side, match UM/UIM to your liability limits, and add hired & non-owned coverage so every business mile is protected.
Get Your Commercial Auto Insurance Quote in Burbank
Prefer to talk? Call or text: 833-586-3264.
Commercial Auto Insurance FAQ - Burbank, CA
What's the difference between commercial auto and personal auto insurance?
Personal auto policies explicitly exclude vehicles used for business purposes. If you're in an accident while making a delivery, transporting clients or equipment, or driving a company vehicle, a personal policy will likely deny the claim. Commercial auto insurance is specifically designed for business use - it covers higher liability limits, multiple drivers, vehicles titled to a business entity, and commercial operations like production, delivery, and contracting that personal policies will not cover.
Do I need commercial auto insurance if employees use their own cars for work?
Yes - this is exactly the exposure hired & non-owned auto (HNOA) coverage is designed for. When an employee uses their personal vehicle on company business and causes an accident, your business can be held liable as the employer. The employee's personal auto policy is primary, but if their limits aren't enough, your business is exposed. HNOA coverage steps in to fill that gap. It's an inexpensive endorsement relative to the risk it covers, and any business that has employees drive for work - even occasionally - should carry it.
How much commercial auto liability coverage do I need in California?
The California statutory minimum is $15,000/$30,000 BI and $5,000 PD - far too low for any real business exposure. Most commercial insurers and fleet operators carry $500,000 to $1,000,000 combined single limit (CSL). If your vehicles operate under federal authority or for-hire, higher limits may apply. If your policy is the target of a serious injury lawsuit, inadequate limits expose your business assets directly. We'll recommend limits based on your industry, vehicle types, and overall risk profile.
Does California require special filings for commercial vehicles?
Yes. For-hire carriers often need California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) filings. Interstate carriers may require federal filings with the FMCSA. We handle these filings same-day so your coverage is compliant from the first day of operation. Tell us your MC, DOT, or PUC numbers and we'll confirm exactly what's needed.
Can I insure a mixed fleet - different vehicle types under one policy?
Yes. A commercial auto policy can schedule multiple vehicles of different types - vans, pickups, box trucks, SUVs, and trailers - under a single policy with shared liability limits and individual physical damage deductibles per vehicle. This simplifies renewal, billing, and certificate issuance considerably. If your fleet includes vehicles over 26,001 lbs GVW or operating under special authority, those may require additional endorsements - we'll sort that out based on your actual vehicle list.
What factors affect my commercial auto premium in Burbank?
Key factors include your industry (especially entertainment/production), fleet size and vehicle types, driving records of all listed drivers, annual mileage, garaging location, and claims history. Burbank's proximity to major freeways and studio traffic can influence rates. We review MVRs early and match your profile to carriers who underwrite similar Burbank businesses most favorably.
How do driver MVRs affect my commercial auto premium?
Significantly. Carriers pull motor vehicle records (MVRs) for all listed drivers and rate each one based on violations, at-fault accidents, and license history. A single major violation (DUI, reckless driving, serious speeding) on a driver's record can raise your overall premium or make that driver unacceptable to certain carriers. We review MVRs early in the quoting process so there are no surprises at binding, and we'll match your driver profile to carriers who underwrite it most favorably. Maintaining a written MVR monitoring policy for your drivers is also good risk management practice.
