3 Ways Agents Can Help Commercial Auto Clients Drive Down Risk  

• November 10, 2025

By Sarah Veader 

Insurability is important for organizations to consider—especially when it comes to auto insurance. For 14 consecutive years, commercial auto has generated an underwriting loss and insurance companies are becoming more selective of the risks they’re willing to underwrite, according to an AM Best report. 

In a market with such high selectivity, it falls on the prospective insured to show why it would be a good risk. Independent insurance agencies can help insureds implement approaches that demonstrate insurability and manage costs.  

In 2026, carriers will be looking for three strategies to be implemented by commercial auto prospects:  

1) Facilitating driver screening, training and monitoring. While an organization can add multiple safety features to its vehicles, that can’t compensate for an unqualified driver. Organizations should perform a motor vehicle record (MVR) check for every staff member or volunteer who may be driving on its behalf. 

Some common disqualification criteria include having any of the following driving violations within the past five years: 

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 
• Driving with an open container of alcohol. 
• Reckless or careless driving. 
• Speeding in excess of 14 mph over the speed limit. 
• A hit and run incident. 
• Eluding a police officer. 
• Driving with a suspended or revoked license. 
• Vehicular assault, manslaughter or homicide. 
• Operating a vehicle without the owner’s permission. 
• Drag racing. 
• Use of a vehicle to commit a felony. 
• Passing a stopped school bus. 

Organizations also commonly disqualify drivers who have had two or more of the following violations in the past three years: 

• All other speeding violations. 
• Distracted driving, such as texting and calling. 
• Improper lane changes. 
• Failure to yield. 
• At-fault accidents. 
• Tailgating. 
• Running a stop sign or red light. 

Driver training and monitoring are also important—not just when they start the job, but throughout their employment. 

2) Performing regular vehicle maintenance and inspections. Vehicles that are in good shape are less likely to be involved in a crash. Organizations that own or operate a fleet of vehicles should perform daily inspections of tires, lights, brakes and fluid levels. If a vehicle fails any of these inspections, it should not be used until it is serviced. 

It’s also vital to pay attention to warning lights. Car manufacturers incorporate these warning systems into vehicles for a reason, and responsible vehicle owners will promptly check them out. 

Seasonal preparations are also crucial. To prepare for winter, organizations should check antifreeze levels, the tread of the vehicle’s tires and the battery’s health. A vehicle breakdown in winter poses major risk for an organization—both to the vehicle and the driver. 

Summer checks include inspection of the air conditioning system, coolant levels and tire pressure. 

3) Leveraging innovations in technology. In recent years, the automotive industry has come far in terms of technological innovations that allow organizations to both keep drivers safe and to monitor how they’re driving.  

Some of the most promising features that will be used even more in 2026 include: 

Telematics. These systems allow supervisors to keep track of a wide range of statistics about an individual driver and vehicle, including location, speed and braking habits. A telematics device is installed in a vehicle to collect data from the vehicle’s sensors and process it through software. It helps organizations monitor fuel consumption, vehicle conditions and driver safety habits, and it can also provide data for usage-based insurance.  

Back-up and 360-degree cameras. These cameras allow drivers to view the surrounding area when backing up and reduce blind spots. They can be particularly helpful in busy parking lots, where fender benders are common and even small bumps can lead to hefty repair bills. 

Tire pressure monitoring systems. Gone are the days when drivers had to guess whether one of their tires was under-inflated. These systems can alert drivers to the state of their tires in real time. This is especially important in preventing blowouts, which can lead to crashes. 

Electronic or stability control. This safety feature can be a lifesaver in icy or wet conditions. If it detects specific wheels skidding, it can automatically apply brakes to them. This can lower the risk of rollovers—especially in sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and other large, bulky vehicles. 

Sarah Veader is assistant vice president, risk control, at Church Mutual.