Company info on truck?

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Originally Posted by Steve Why do you think he would tell you that and is that good advice or not? I was getting quotes on general liability and wasnt sold whether or not to get commercial auto. I was going to wait till winter, thinking I only needed it for snow removal. Originally Posted by Steve What does that mean though? If you get into a accident on the way to or back from a job and have personal auto. The insurance company wont cover a dime. Youll be liable for every dollar in damage. If you just have a mower in the back, you might get away with it but if youve got signs all over your truck. Your done! Youll definitely have the policy dropped.

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[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

Also you have people that are wanting to upgrade trucks before they do spend the money on putting a logo on the truck. Is this a good or bad idea? Ultimately can't we keep putting off things until never? Is it bad to have a sign on a truck that doesn't look to good? Or is it always helpful to be promoting your business name?

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[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by SECTLANDSCAPING

I was getting quotes on general liability and wasnt sold whether or not to get commercial auto. I was going to wait till winter, thinking I only needed it for snow removal.


If you get into a accident on the way to or back from a job and have personal auto. The insurance company wont cover a dime. Youll be liable for every dollar in damage.

If you just have a mower in the back, you might get away with it but if youve got signs all over your truck. Your done! Youll definitely have the policy dropped.

The whole insurance thing may vary by state, but here in PA I'm perfectly fine using my regular policy that I've had for years - no need to switch to a "commercial policy" UNLESS I have any employees that will drive it, OR if I title it under my business name. Otherwise, no problem if I have an accident while going to, coming from, or while working - it's covered. (except for equipment - that needs to be covered separately)

Trust me, I confirmed this with three insurance companies before accepting it as truth.

[Ducke]

Only problem I have with magnetic signs is how many you loose over a season and time wasted back tracking trying to find were they blew off at.

[jymie]

Originally Posted by Ducke

Only problem I have with magnetic signs is how many you loose over a season and time wasted back tracking trying to find were they blew off at.

I have never lost a magnetic sign that I got from Buildasign. They do not blow off at all. They do not move around either. Very good product.

[wuduyathink]

Originally Posted by SECTLANDSCAPING

I think you might have hit the nail on the head as not being legit. When I first bought commercial auto insurance something that my agent said was "you dont want to be in a accident with lettering".

So are you saying that, it is illegal to have signs on your truck if you don't have commercial auto insurance?

I am only starting off next season and I wasn't planning on buying any insurance for the first year as I imagine it being an extra hassle plus extra expenses.

Also to have any logo or signs on your truck, do you need to have an F plate or it isn't mandatory?

Also what are the pros and cons of having commercial insurance?

Thanks guys!

[wandfsmall]

Originally Posted by wuduyathink

So are you saying that, it is illegal to have signs on your truck if you don't have commercial auto insurance?

I am only starting off next season and I wasn't planning on buying any insurance for the first year as I imagine it being an extra hassle plus extra expenses.

Also to have any logo or signs on your truck, do you need to have an F plate or it isn't mandatory?

Also what are the pros and cons of having commercial insurance?

Thanks guys!

you would have to look into local laws for the answers to your questions.

some insurance policy's will not pay out in a wreck though if you have business signs on your truck but do not have a commercial policy so that is what most people are likely talking about.

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Originally Posted by wuduyathink

So are you saying that, it is illegal to have signs on your truck if you don't have commercial auto insurance?

I am only starting off next season and I wasn't planning on buying any insurance for the first year as I imagine it being an extra hassle plus extra expenses.

Also to have any logo or signs on your truck, do you need to have an F plate or it isn't mandatory?

Also what are the pros and cons of having commercial insurance?

Thanks guys!

its not illegal but if its in the police report or the insurance adjuster sees it. They will use it as a way of not paying the claim. I had a insurance company drop me because I was a pizza delivery driver.

Not sure about the f plate.

Liability. Its about losing your assets. You wont be able to step foot on a commercial property without it. Since 60% of my business is commercial its a must have.

[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by wuduyathink

So are you saying that, it is illegal to have signs on your truck if you don't have commercial auto insurance?

I am only starting off next season and I wasn't planning on buying any insurance for the first year as I imagine it being an extra hassle plus extra expenses.

Also to have any logo or signs on your truck, do you need to have an F plate or it isn't mandatory?

Also what are the pros and cons of having commercial insurance?

Thanks guys!

So being protected if you should throw a stone through someone's eye is a "hassle"?

I found business liability insurance for around $350-$400 a year. Not that expensive when you consider everything else that you'll be spending, or the fallout after hurting someone/damaging their property.
Getting insurance was hands down, the EASIEST part of becoming legit. If you think that's a hassle, wait until you find out all the other stuff you may need to do.



This thread isn't about insurance though. Check your local/state laws regarding required coverage. Some people are saying they must have commercial auto policies, others (myself/PA) do not. (but there are exceptions)

The thing that was mentioned before about the signs is that if you ARE required to have a commercial policy, but do NOT, then having signs on your truck would indicate that it's not a "personal vehicle" should you be involved in an accident. Bad. Well, not really, because if you're operating illegally, you SHOULD be punished.

[Steve]

A downside I could see to lettering your truck is if your town does not allow you to park commercial vehicles in your residential driveway.

Have any of you ever had a problem with this?