Let’s be honest—when it comes to working as a contractor in Louisiana, there’s no such thing as a “typical day.” One minute, you’re navigating potholes in Baton Rouge, the next you’re parked under a live oak in Mandeville trying to beat the rain. But no matter what the job throws at you, your commercial vehicles need to be covered, because accidents don’t care if you’re running late to a slab pour in Slidell or hauling tools down I-10 toward Lake Charles.

Why Contractors Need Commercial Auto Coverage (Yes, Even You)

We all live in a hostile legal environment,  so whether you’re a solo handyman with a pickup or running a full crew with a fleet of work vans, if you’re using a vehicle for work—even just occasionally—your personal auto policy probably won’t cut it. Most personal auto policies exclude coverage for business use, which means one fender-bender on the job site could leave you facing a legal battle alone and footing the bill out of pocket. If the high cost of Commercial usage is the problem please give us a call ASAP. We shop multiple companies that will help make it affordable so you don’t have to take risky chances with the wrong coverage

And in Louisiana, where driving conditions can go from smooth sailing to sinkhole central real fast, proper coverage isn’t a luxury—it’s basic job protection. Add to that the possibility of trailers, tools, materials, or even employees being involved in an incident, and the need becomes crystal clear (or at least less muddy than your work boots after a day in Gretna).

For a quick quote, you can contact our quote department directly at (504) 441-RATE (7283) or complete the Online Quote Request form @  https://dbiagency.com/services/commercial-auto/ and you will be contacted ASAP

What Commercial Auto Typically Covers

A good commercial auto policy does more than just meet legal minimums. Here’s what it generally protects:

• Liability Coverage: For when your truck gets friendly with someone else’s bumper—or worse.
• Physical Damage: Covers damage to your work vehicle, whether from a collision, theft, or a tree branch deciding to make an uninvited entrance.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Sadly, not everyone in Louisiana is as responsible as they should be. This protects you if someone hits you and they don’t have enough (or any) coverage.
• Medical Payments: Helps cover medical costs for you or your passengers, regardless of who’s at fault.
• Hired and Non-Owned Auto: For when you’re renting or using employee-owned vehicles for business.

Don’t forget: If you’ve got logos, ladder racks, toolboxes, or any modifications to the vehicle, you’ll want to make sure those are accounted for in the coverage limits.

For a quick quote, you can contact our quote department directly at (504) 441-RATE (7283) or complete the Online Quote Request form @  https://dbiagency.com/services/commercial-auto/ and you will be contacted ASAP.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

There are a few traps contractors fall into when buying commercial auto insurance—and they’re easier to avoid than a lunchtime line at Popeye’s.

• Using a Personal Policy for Work Vehicles: As mentioned, it may seem cheaper up front, but claims can be denied if the vehicle is used for business. That’s a hard lesson to learn after a rear-end collision in Covington.
• Listing the Wrong Drivers: Always list everyone who might drive the vehicle. No, your cousin who “only drives it sometimes” doesn’t count as invisible to the insurer.
• Forgetting to Update Your Policy: Got a new van? Added some signage? Changed your business address from Houma to Hammond? Let your agent know. Your policy should reflect reality, not nostalgia.

Certificates, Clients, and Contracts

Many jobsite contracts or project managers require a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before you even unload a single tool. Having a current commercial auto policy makes it easy to issue those COIs and keep the job rolling. Some contractors miss out on bids just because they can’t produce insurance paperwork fast enough—and that’s like leaving money on the tailgate.

If your company holds contracts in places like Thibodaux, Shreveport, or Central, having proof of proper insurance on hand helps establish trust—and keeps your operation compliant with local and state guidelines.

Fleet or No Fleet?

Got more than one work vehicle? That’s where fleet policies come in. Fleet insurance can be more cost-effective and easier to manage than keeping up with individual policies. If you’re scaling up jobs in Lafayette, Monroe, or Alexandria, a fleet policy can simplify the paperwork while expanding your coverage.

Even if you only have two or three trucks, it’s worth asking if you qualify. Some carriers consider it a fleet once you’ve got five or more, but others will work with smaller numbers if the vehicles are all tied to the same business.

Keep Louisiana Jobs Rolling—Not Risky

Louisiana isn’t just one of the most culturally rich states in the country—it’s also one of the most unpredictable when it comes to weather, roads, and driving habits. Contractors from Metairie to Bossier City know that no matter how well the job is planned, something unexpected is always waiting around the corner. Commercial auto insurance isn’t just about obeying state law—it’s about protecting everything the business depends on to get from one job to the next.

With over 40 years in business, Dan Burghardt Insurance has worked with contractors all over Louisiana and Mississippi—including cities like New Orleans, Kenner, St. Bernard, Slidell, Mandeville, Baton Rouge, Houma, LaPlace, and many more—to keep work trucks rolling, crews protected, and jobsite delays to a minimum.

For a quick quote, you can contact our quote department directly at (504) 441-RATE (7283) or complete the Online Quote Request form @  https://dbiagency.com/services/commercial-auto/ and you will be contacted ASAP.