Limousine car insurance

If you have a limousine as a collector’s item or for personal use, you can insure it as a luxury vehicle. However, if you run a chauffeuring or limousine service, you’ll typically need commerical insurance covering physical damage, liability and personal injury to cover you off and on the road.

How much does limo insurance cost?

The average cost of limo insurance ranges between $5,000 and $10,000 per limo per year. But your exact premiums are determined by variables including:

• The vehicle make and model and total value
• The location of the business and service area of your vehicles
• The types of coverage included in your policy, including options and features
• The age of the vehicle’s drivers
• Your previous driving history and claims history
• The deductible, or how much you’ll need to pay before insurance covers the claim

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What’s covered by limousine insurance?

The three main elements of limousine car insurance are physical damage coverage, liability coverage and personal injury coverage.

Physical damage coverage

This type of coverage is generally like standard car insurance for your limousine. Depending on the insurer, you might be able to choose between liability coverage, collision damage or comprehensive coverage, while some will only offer comprehensive policies.

These types of policies will usually allow you to either claim the cost of repairs or have the insurer carry out the repairs themselves. Plus, you’ll get a new vehicle or the full value of yours in the event of a total loss. With comprehensive coverage, you’re generally covered for a wide range of damage to your limousine, including:

• Collisions or accidents
• Storm, hail, lightning or flooding
• Fire
• Theft, vandalism and damage caused by attempted theft

Liability coverage

This type of coverage will generally cover all chauffeurs, directors and executives while they’re operating a company vehicle. If you’re an owner-driver working as a contractor, it may also cover potential liability to the company that’s employing you.

Most liability insurance policies can be broken down into two kinds of coverage: bodily injury and property damage.

• Bodily injury covers certain legal and medical costs in the event that a passenger or a third party are injured in your care.
• Property damage covers the cost of damage to passenger or third party property.

Personal injury coverage

This coverage refers to medical and personal accident insurance for you or your drivers. It may cover costs such as:

• Funeral expenses if you or a driver die in an accident following an insured event
• Lump sum benefits in the event of specific disabling injuries such as quadriplegia or loss of limbs
• Repatriation of a driver in the event of them being injured or killed a long way from home
• Medical bills and expenses resulting from an insured event

Additional coverage to consider for limos

Limousine and chauffeur insurance typically includes a range of options to help tailor coverage to your needs. Additional features can come in the form of options or automatic inclusions depending on the insurer. These may include:

• Keys and locks. Coverage for replacement keys and replacing locks if keys are stolen.
• Driver property. Coverage for a driver’s personal property, such as uniforms, phones or other items.
• Expediting expenses. To help cover temporary repairs or expedite permanent repairs.
• Rental vehicle. Coverage for the cost of temporarily hiring a replacement vehicle following theft or major repairs.
• Journey disruption. To pay for the costs associated with a journey being disrupted, including overnight accommodation for drivers and passengers and the cost of arranging new transportation.
• Removal, delivery and cleaning. The cost of cleaning up and removing debris, which you may be liable for following an accident or other insured event.
• Branding. Coverage for the cost of repairing or replacing any branding, decals or artwork on your vehicle that has been damaged.
• Gap insurance. If an insured vehicle has outstanding payments following a total loss, policies may pay a specified amount to the lender.
• Downtime. Extra insurance benefits to compensate you for vehicle downtime when it cannot be used for business purposes.
• No-deductible windshield claims. You won’t need to pay a deductible when claiming windshield damage.
• Non-owned vehicle coverage. Insures you while driving another vehicle not owned by you.
• Uninsured motorist. Coverage against damage caused by another driver who is uninsured or underinsured.

Limousine coverage exclusions

All policies will come with exclusions, so it’s important to read terms and conditions to avoid denied claims or gaps in coverage. Typically, you’re required to take all appropriate measures to operate your service safely and legally. This means that if your vehicle is improperly maintained or there’s any intentional damage, you probably won’t be covered.

General exclusions

• Acts of terrorism or war
• Tobacco smoke, asbestos or radioactivity-related claims
• Damage while carrying dangerous goods
• A vehicle not being legally roadworthy
• Unlawful acts, including a driver being unlicensed or under the influence
• Damage from watercraft, aircraft or hovercraft
• Legal costs for deliberate mistakes
• Damage from computer viruses

Vehicle damage exclusions

• Lawful seizure of your vehicle by authorities or debt collectors
• Consequential losses of being unable to use your vehicle, such as lost income
• Obsolete parts which are no longer made or cost more than the list price
• Not locking your vehicle to prevent theft
• Tire damage caused by brake application or road punctures
• Vehicle deterioration, wear and tear, rust, corrosion, faulty workmanship or failure to maintain it

Bottom line

Passengers rely on your limousine to get them to their destination safely, but it’s also important to protect yourself. Limousine car insurance can cover your drivers, vehicles, passengers and beyond, making it an absolute must for any limousine service.

Like standard car insurance, several insurers and policies can help cover you on and off the road. Coverage, features and exclusions can vary, but you can find the best value by comparing your limousine coverage options.

Compare commercial car insurance rates

Frequently asked questions

• Does limo insurance cover passengers?

  Just like personal car insurance, most policies will give you the option to add coverage for liability, medical payments, property damage and more. And in most cases, this coverage can extend to your passengers as well.

• Does limo insurance cover vehicles owned by drivers?

  It depends on the policy. If you have multiple drivers that use their own vehicles, you might want to consider for-hire commercial insurance or livery insurance.

• What is the difference between commercial and livery insurance?

  Commercial insurance covers vehicles that are used for business, like limos, delivery vans, tow trucks and other company cars. While commercial car insurance can cover limos, livery insurance is designed specifically for rideshare and passenger transport businesses, so it may be better suited for for-hire services like limos, taxis, Uber, Lyft and so on.

• How do I insure a car with a chauffeur?

  If you own a limo and hire a chauffeur, you’ll typically insure your limo and include coverage for other drivers.

Picture: Shutterstock

Written by

Andrew Munro

Editor

Andrew Munro was the global cryptocurrency editor at Finder, covering all aspects of cryptocurrency and the blockchain. Andrew has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales. See full bio