- 01Number of vans and vehicle types (cargo vans, full-size vans, step vans)
- Fleet size and vehicle class are the primary commercial auto rating inputs. Carriers need the complete vehicle schedule: VINs, year, make, model, and gross vehicle weight. Without it, physical damage coverage cannot be structured accurately.
- 02Vehicle values and age distribution
- Carriers assess vehicle condition, not just count. An older high-mileage fleet is evaluated differently than a newer one. Physical damage coverage has to reflect actual replacement cost or agreed value for each vehicle, not a blanket figure.
- 03Driver count, driver roster, and MVR profile for all drivers
- Every listed driver's motor vehicle record affects commercial auto rating and carrier eligibility. Carriers pull MVRs and evaluate the pool as a whole. Several recent violations or at-fault accidents across the roster narrows market access and moves the rate.
- 04Driver hiring and screening practices
- Documented MVR checks, experience requirements, and clear hiring standards help manage one of the fleet owner's most controllable insurance factors.
- 05Operating radius and geographic territory (routes, states, urban vs. suburban mix)
- Dense urban routing with high pedestrian and cyclist traffic is assessed differently from suburban or rural operations. Fleets crossing state lines may face additional filing requirements. Territory description has to match where routes actually run.
- 06Cargo types and maximum cargo value per vehicle
- What the fleet carries and the peak van value set the cargo limits. They also reveal whether commodity exclusions in standard cargo forms could affect what the fleet actually delivers. A fleet that expanded into electronics or high-value goods without updating cargo terms may be carrying an undetected gap.
- 07Delivery contract insurance requirements
- Compare each client's minimum limits and endorsements with the proposed policy. The coverage needs to meet the highest current contract requirement, not an average or last year's standard.
- 08Driver classification (employees vs. independent contractors)
- Classification determines whether workers' comp or occupational accident applies and what happens if a driver is injured. Carriers ask because the coverage picture and the legal exposure differ significantly between the two arrangements.
- 09Annual mileage and delivery volume (stops per day, days per week)
- Stop volume and annual mileage show the actual on-road exposure frequency. Carriers calibrate commercial auto rates against how often the fleet accumulates risk, not just how many vans it runs.
- 10Prior loss history (last 3–5 years, by line)
- Claim frequency and severity over the prior policy period show how the fleet's risk has played out in practice. Carriers review auto losses, cargo claims, and liability claims separately. They want to see the account's trajectory — and whether anything has been done to address recurring loss patterns.