Business car insurance is best for those who use the same car for business and personal use. while commercial car insurance is more suited to vehicles involved in heavy-duty work. If you only need business car insurance, it's likely you'll pay a little less.
What's the difference between business and commercial car insurance?
A business car insurance policy covers vehicles that are used in regular day-to-day driving situations. It's essentially a type of personal car insurance policy that has been extended to protect you if you use your car for business purposes as well. It's sometimes called business use car insurance.
Commercial car insurance, on the other hand, is usually offered through a qualified broker and is tailored to vehicles that perform specific work tasks, like a ute, cement truck or trailer. If you deliver goods, tools or other equipment, and use the vehicle primarily for work, you'll most likely need commercial car insurance.
Business car insurance
Commercial car insurance
Best for
Commuting for work purposes
Ridesharing (conditions apply)
Some business activities like part-time food delivery
Heavy work trucks like cement trucks or trailers
Delivery vehicles
Motor fleets
Vehicles carrying expensive equipment
Where to get it
In select comprehensive car insurance policies
Through a broker
Who is business use car insurance best for?
Business use car insurance is usually for people who use their car for business and personal use, for example if you commute using a work car. It is probably best suited to people who:
Want to use their car for personal use as well as commuting for work, for example driving to various locations for business
Want to Uber, so long as they're the registered owner and driver of the vehicle
Want to use their vehicle for specific business activities like part-time food delivery that generally does not involve heavy-duty work or expensive equipment
What is business use?
Business use is usually defined by the kind of work that doesn't involve a car as a pivotal part of earning your income. Since this is a pretty broad definition, it can include people who use their car to get to different work locations throughout the day. For example, if you're a real estate agent showing properties at a number of locations, business car insurance can cover you. Other similar examples include:
Road salesperson or tradesperson
Real estate agent
Assessor or surveyor
Community service worker
Business use can also cover ridesharing like Uber, but it's worth keeping in mind that this is not true of all insurers. For instance, some only cover you if it's not your primary source of income. You also generally need to be the registered owner and driver of the vehicle. If you're having difficulty getting business car insurance for Ubering, you might need to get rideshare insurance instead.
Who offers business use car insurance?
Figuring out what kind of business use an insurer covers can be tricky, so we've put together a table on how and what is included.
1 - 3 of 3
Insurer
How is it covered?
Examples
Covers you for occasional business use that "does not form an essential part of earning an income" and where the car isn't registered for business use
Commuting for work, e.g. travelling to different job sites
Covers you for occasional business use that "does not form an essential part of earning an income" and where the car isn't registered for business use
Commuting for work, e.g. travelling to different job sites
Covers business use including ridesharing (they will list down that the vehicle is used for business)
Commuting for work and ridesharing
Covers business use, including use of your car for personal purposes, but not ridesharing
Commuting for work, e.g. travelling to different job sites
Covers you for either private purposes or business purposes. It specifically references occupations like a nanny, babysitter, tradesperson, salesperson or representative
Commuting for work, e.g. travelling to different job sites, babysitting and salesperson
Covers you for occasional business use that "does not form an essential part of earning an income" and where the car isn't registered for business use
Commuting for work, e.g. travelling to different job sites
Covers you if you use your car for both private and business use, but not business only
Commuting for work, e.g. travelling to different job sites
Covers you if you use your car for both private and business use, but not business only. It's worth noting, business use does not mean using your car for paid ridesharing.
Commuting for work, e.g. travelling to different job sites
AAMI may cover you to use your vehicle for multiple purposes such as private use and business use. You'll need to select private or business based on whichever is the primary use.
Commuting for work, Uber driving, tradespersons, food delivery
NRMA may provide cover for some business uses like ridesharing or food delivery, as long as you've told them.
Uber or UberEats
Covers you if you use your car for both private and business use, but not business only
Commuting for work, tradespersons, food delivery
Covers:
On-road salesperson and tradesperson
Ridesharing if you are the owner of the car and are registered with a provider
Commuting for work, Uber driving, salespersons
What does business car insurance cover you for?
It differs from brand to brand, but you can find car insurance that covers you for business use at every level of cover including:
Third-party property damage (TPPD). This covers damage you cause to other people's property including their car, the stuff inside it and anything else along the road.
Third-party fire and theft (TPFT). This covers what TPPD does plus damage to your car due to fire and theft.
Comprehensive. This covers what the other two do, plus a wide range of other damages to your car including storm, hit and run and even damage you cause.
Similarly, every policy comes with exclusions you need to look out for. We've listed some of the things you won't be covered for with specific insurers. Be sure to read the PDS for a full list of exclusions.
Insurer
Exclusions
Ridesharing like Uber
Delivery driving
Driving tuition
Unpaid driving tuition of a person who is excluded on the insurance certificate by name or age, or unlisted household member
Hiring the car to other people
Ridesharing like Uber
Delivery driving
Driving tuition
Unpaid driving tuition of a person who is excluded on the insurance certificate by name or age, or unlisted household member
Hiring the car to other people
Ridesharing like Uber
Delivery driving
Any business use other than that shown on your certificate of insurance
Ridesharing like Uber
Delivery driving
Driving tuition
Unpaid driving tuition of a person who is excluded on the insurance certificate by name or age, or unlisted household member
Hiring the car to other people
Delivery driver
Hiring out the vehicle as a rental car
Professional driving instruction
Vehicle racing (professional or amateur)
Taxis
Delivery driving
Hiring out the vehicle as a rental car
Professional driving instruction
Vehicle racing (professional or amateur)
Taxis
Using the vehicle for ridesharing or food delivery services.
No cover if you use the vehicle 100% of the time for ridesharing
Delivery driving or ridesharing
Driver education
Hire/courtesy/car sharing scheme
Racing/sporting events
Taxi
Courier/delivery driver
Removalist
How much does business car insurance cost?
Business car insurance costs differ depending on things like your age, occupation, the vehicle you drive and the area you live in. To give you an idea of costs though, we've put together quotes based on a male driver born in 1985 driving a 2018 Toyota Corolla worth an agreed value of $20,000 and an excess of $850 where possible. The driver lives in Sydney and drives 15,000 kilometres a year.
Keep in mind that these costs aren't indicative of what you can expect to pay as it will depend on your own circumstances, but it could be useful to see the cost differences between brands.
Commercial car insurance covers vehicles used for business purposes. This could include moving materials between different work sites, delivering or transporting goods, visiting clients and customers in different locations and numerous other possible uses. Commercial vehicle insurance is probably a better choice than business use car insurance if you:
Need to insure a fleet of vehicles
Carry a lot of expensive tools, products or equipment that also needs to be insured
Use your vehicle for heavy-duty work like towing or earth moving
Want to insure yourself against lost income if your car breaks down
In fact, many insurers will not offer you business use car insurance in these instances.
There are two main types of commercial car insurance
The two main types of commercial car insurance are commercial motor insurance which covers individual business vehicles against damage and legal liability, and commercial motor fleet insurance which covers multiple business vehicles.
Any business owner can take out commercial motor insurance on their company vehicle, but to qualify for commercial motor fleet insurance a business must own or lease a certain number of vehicles (usually around 15 or so).
What kind of commercial car insurance should I look into?
PI insurance protect you when you injure someone or damage someone's property - two things that are easy to do in a vehicle. This type of cover can help you avoid thousands of dollars in damages.
Required
$53
Portable equipment
If you carry computers, tools, cameras or other work equipment in your vehicle, PE insurance will protect your equipment from theft and damage in the vehicle and at the worksite.
Being on the road a lot can increase your chances of an accident. If you get injured and temporarily can't do your job, PA insurance can offer a source of income while you heal.
Recommended
$84
Average cost based on historical costs using our engine. Last checked April 2024
How do I get commercial car insurance?
Commercial car insurance is usually offered through a qualified broker. This type of insurance is for business purposes, which usually means there's a lot more money at stake. That's why professional advice goes a long way; it can provide peace of mind knowing that everything has been taken into account. To get started with your enquiry, fill in your details below.
Who offers commercial car insurance?
Want to know the insurers you'll be dealing with? Here's a list of some of the providers offering commercial car insurance:
GIO
Elders Insurance
QBE
Zurich
CGU
RACQ
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Gary Ross Hunter is an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146).
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. 😃
Basically, you would only need business car insurance if you are using your car for business purposes. Since the majority of the time you are working in your home, your car might only be considered as a car for personal use.
For this reason, you might be interested instead of checking other types of car insurance policies. You will be able to compare car insurance side-by-side and get quotes. You can also check different types of car insurance as well as how to switch policies.
Once you find a car insurer, they would most likely provide a policy that would best fit your needs and preference. From there, you should be able to confirm whether business car insurance is right for you or not.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out again.
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Would I need business car insurance if I only work at home? However, I occasionally drive my car to work.
Hi Gloria,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. 😃
Basically, you would only need business car insurance if you are using your car for business purposes. Since the majority of the time you are working in your home, your car might only be considered as a car for personal use.
For this reason, you might be interested instead of checking other types of car insurance policies. You will be able to compare car insurance side-by-side and get quotes. You can also check different types of car insurance as well as how to switch policies.
Once you find a car insurer, they would most likely provide a policy that would best fit your needs and preference. From there, you should be able to confirm whether business car insurance is right for you or not.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua