There is a lot more to motor fleet insurance than meets the eye. On the surface, motor fleet insurance is nothing more than auto insurance for a fleet of vehicles. But a well thought out and comprehensive motor fleet insurance policy can give you the ability to face risk and oodles of peace of mind. With so many things in life taking unpredictable turns, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Here is a quick run through of the things that you must keep in mind when buying commercial motor fleet insurance:

o Study the document carefully to understand if it covers property damage, injury to the motorist, damage to your cargo, and collision.

o Understand if the insurance covers all your specific needs. You may be doing haulage or plying taxis, or even transporting hazardous cargo. Each part of your business demands specific insurance cover. Ensure that your advisor understands your specific needs and gives you a cover that is best for you.

o Find out if the insurance company offers discounts if a policy is bought online, or if you pay the premium in full once a year. Also check for accident free discounts and antitheft discounts. It never hurts to check for any kind of discounts, especially if you are running a business.

o Use drivers with a clean driving record and follow proper vehicle maintenance. More often than not, it helps to reduce premiums. In any case it will ensure safety on the road.

o Check for hidden costs.

o Check if you can get business expense discounts when you opt for commercial motor fleet insurance

o Always remember to check the driver restrictions on the policy if any.

A typical fleet insurance service should include:

o 24 hour claims assistance
o Breakdown and emergency assistance
o Personal effects cover
o Replacement vehicles
o Some kind of driver discounts
o Hire costs following a theft of a vehicle
o Hazardous goods insurance, if required
o Cover on damage to other people's vehicle or property

Most small businesses think twice about whether to go in for commercial auto coverage or not. In fact, most agents will advise small business owners against such a cover. However, I think the need for small businesses to cover their vehicles is even more important as a motor accident can be disastrous to a small venture. If you have up to a dozen vehicles you can opt for Mini Fleet Insurance plans, which work out more economical than buying several small policies for each vehicle.

You can check the various motor fleet insurance companies in the U.K on the net. In fact, as with other things, you can also compare their quotes online before you decide to contact them for your insurance needs.

Remember that almost any type of vehicle can be insured as a part of fleet; taxis, haulage vehicles, private cars, vans etc. So if you have a motor fleet, it makes sense to insure it before you start operating it.