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Access Tailored Coverage Options for Your Business Vehicles in Council Bluffs, Iowa
Business owners in Council Bluffs who operate work vehicles need commercial auto insurance that protects against liability claims, vehicle damage, and financial loss, not a generic policy that leaves gaps when it matters most.
The Allen Thomas Group is an independent insurance agency with over 20 years of experience serving businesses across Iowa and more than 20 states.
We shop your coverage across multiple carriers, including Travelers, Hartford, Liberty Mutual, Progressive, Safeco, Auto Owners, and Cincinnati, to build a commercial auto policy around your operations, vehicles, and drivers.
73% of businesses carry inadequate commercial vehicle coverage, and the average uninsured loss exceeds $247,000 per incident.
That gap can close a business. We exist to make sure it does not close yours.
Get a commercial auto insurance quote for your Council Bluffs business by clicking on the button below or call (440) 826-3676.
Table of Contents
Iowa's 20/40/15 Minimums Leave Your Commercial Operations Dangerously Underinsured
Iowa law mandates a 20/40/15 liability minimum for all business vehicles: $20,000 bodily injury per person, $40,000 per accident, and $15,000 property damage.
Any vehicle titled to a business entity must carry a commercial auto policy. Personal auto policies exclude regular business use, leaving your company uninsured after a claim.
These minimums satisfy a legal checkbox. They do not cover a serious accident. One business owner lost their family home after a $2.3 million accident exceeded a $500,000 policy.
We recommend $500,000 to $1,000,000 in combined single limit liability for most Council Bluffs businesses, with $2 million to $5 million for construction, delivery, and trucking operations.
When employees use personal vehicles for business errands, deposits, supply runs, client visits, your business carries liability for anything that happens on the clock.
Without hired and non-owned auto coverage, that exposure is unprotected.
A real estate agent caused an $890,000 accident while driving to a showing, and both policies denied the claim because neither addressed the gap.
We make sure that gap does not exist in your policy.
Commercial Auto Coverage Structured Around Your Council Bluffs Operations
The right commercial auto policy is structured around your operations — your vehicles, your routes, your drivers, and your risk profile.
- Liability Coverage — Pays damages your business owes for bodily injury or property damage caused by your driver. Iowa law requires this coverage on every commercial vehicle.
- Collision and Comprehensive — Covers physical damage to your vehicles from accidents, theft, vandalism, hail, fire, and deer strikes.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist — Protects your business when the at-fault driver carries no insurance or insufficient limits.
- Medical Payments (MedPay) — Pays medical expenses for occupants of your vehicle regardless of fault.
- Hired Auto and Non-Owned Auto (HNOA) — Covers rented vehicles and employees’ personal vehicles used for work. This is the most commonly missed endorsement and one of the highest-exposure gaps.
- Cargo and Inland Marine — Protects tools, equipment, and goods in transit. Standard auto covers the vehicle; cargo coverage protects what is inside it.
- Commercial Umbrella — Extends liability limits beyond your primary policy for catastrophic claims.
Iowa's 20/40/15 Minimums vs. Your Real Exposure
Select an accident scenario to see how much liability falls on your business — not your policy.
Carrying only Iowa's minimum limits? Your business is absorbing risk your policy should cover.
Get a Quote With the Right LimitsThe Allen Thomas Group shops multiple carriers to close this gap.
Which Council Bluffs Businesses Need Commercial Vehicle Coverage?
If your business owns, leases, or regularly uses vehicles for work, you need a commercial auto policy.
- Contractors and Construction Trades: Electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, roofers, and general contractors hauling equipment to jobsites.
- Delivery and Courier Services: Last-mile logistics, wholesale distribution, food delivery, and catering companies.
- Trucking and Freight: Local, regional, and interstate carriers. FMCSA requires at least $750,000 in liability for interstate operations, with hazmat carriers facing $1 million to $5 million minimums.
- Professional Services and Sales Teams: Consultants, real estate agents, and sales representatives driving to client sites.
- Healthcare and Social Services: Patient transport, mobile clinics, and in-home care providers.
- Agriculture and AgTech: Farm operations, equipment transport, and agribusiness logistics on rural Iowa roads.
- Retail and Food Service: Delivery fleets, food trucks, and catering vehicles.
Whether you operate one service van or a fleet of 50 trucks, our licensed Council Bluffs insurance agents structure coverage that scales as you add vehicles, hire drivers, and expand routes.
Why an Independent Agency Is Your Best Resource for Fleet Insurance
A captive agent represents one carrier. We represent your business across the commercial auto market.
The Allen Thomas Group serves Council Bluffs businesses through multiple carriers to find the right protection at a competitive premium.
- Full operational review — We evaluate your vehicles, drivers, routes, cargo, and exposure before recommending coverage.
- Multiple carrier quotes — We compare options across Travelers, Hartford, Liberty Mutual, Progressive, Safeco, Auto Owners, and Cincinnati so you see real choices.
- Compliance and documentation — We handle certificates of insurance, state filings, and FMCSA documentation for trucking operations.
- Policy adjustments as you grow — Adding vehicles, drivers, or endorsements does not mean starting over. We adjust your program as your business evolves.
For over 20 years our licensed Council Bluffs agents simplified commercial insurance for contractors, manufacturers, technology companies, and service businesses. We work hard to get you the best coverage at the best price.
What Commercial Auto Insurance Costs for Council Bluffs Businesses and How to Lower Premiums
Commercial auto premiums are based on measurable risk factors, not arbitrary numbers.
Understanding these factors gives you control over your cost:
- Vehicle type and weight: A service van rates differently than a dump truck or semi-trailer. Heavier vehicles carry higher premiums.
- Vehicle use and radius: Local service calls rate lower than regional delivery routes or interstate freight hauls.
- Driver records: Clean motor vehicle reports reduce your rate. Violations, DUIs, or at-fault accidents increase it significantly.
- Claims history: A clean record is one of the most powerful cost controls available to any business owner.
- Coverage and deductibles: Higher liability limits deliver greater protection per premium dollar. Higher deductibles reduce cost where cash flow allows.
- Fleet size: Fleet-rated policies deliver per-vehicle savings as you add trucks, vans, or cars.
We analyze every rating factor, compare carrier pricing, and find the balance between strong protection and a premium that fits your budget.
What's Driving Your Premium?
Select your business profile to see which factors affect your commercial auto insurance cost the most.
Your actual premium depends on carrier underwriting. Let us shop the market and find the best rate for your profile.
Get Your Custom QuoteThe Allen Thomas Group compares carriers to find your best rate.
Dedicated Insurance Solutions in Council Bluffs, Iowa Customized For You
We know how frustrating and complex the process of finding the best commercial insurance agents can be.
Let us help fix it for you in 3 easy steps!
Tell us about your specific needs and we will find the right policy for you.
Review the results of our search.
We will walk you through your new policy step by step.
Managing Commercial Vehicle Risk at the Crossroads of Interstate Commerce
Council Bluffs’s business environment creates specific commercial vehicle risks that your policy must address.
Local Industries
Here are a list of the most abundant local industries: Manufacturing, Healthcare, Gaming/Hospitality, Retail Trade, Transportation/Logistics.
Each of these industries puts commercial vehicles on Council Bluffs roads daily, carrying distinct liability exposures that demand properly structured coverage.
Commutes Matter
Average Commute Times in Council Bluffs
The average one-way commute time in Council Bluffs is approximately 18.6 to 19 minutes, which is shorter than the national average. Most commuters (around 88.5%) drive alone to work..
More road time means more exposure to collisions, vehicle wear, and liability claims for every business vehicle in your fleet.
Local Infrastructure
Council Bluffs is strategically located at the intersection of major interstates I-29 and I-80, providing critical transportation arteries. Road conditions are subject to Iowa’s winter weather, which can include frozen precipitation and require regular monitoring via resources like Iowa 511. While specific details on local road quality were not extensively detailed, the presence of these major highways indicates a well-connected infrastructure, though winter maintenance is a significant factor for commercial auto operations..
These conditions directly affect collision frequency and the probability of weather-related claims for Council Bluffs businesses.
Accident Stats
In 2025, Council Bluffs, Iowa has seen a notable decrease in fatal crashes compared to the five-year average, as reported by KMALand..
These numbers reinforce why liability limits well above Iowa’s 20/40/15 minimum are critical for businesses operating commercial vehicles here.
Major Employers or Business Districts
Major employers include American Games, Ameristar Casino and Hotel, Bunge North America, CHI Health Mercy Hospital, Frito-Lay, Conagra Brands, Kellanova, VF Corporation, and Liberty Tire Recycling. Significant business districts and commercial corridors are evident with the presence of large retailers like Walmart, Sam’s Club, Home Depot, and new retail developments near Lake Manawa and along major thoroughfares.
These face concentrated traffic, tight delivery schedules, and elevated liability exposure.
Growth Trends
Council Bluffs is experiencing a strengthening economy, particularly as part of the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area. Recent trends include significant retail redevelopment projects, with new stores like Ross Dress For Less, HomeGoods, and Sierra Trading Post opening in vacant retail spaces. The city’s Community Development Department actively supports commercial and industrial development through various programs, including Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to spur economic growth and housing initiatives.
Growth means more vehicles, more drivers, and expanded routes, all requiring coverage that scales without gaps.
Unique Factors about Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs’ unique position as a significant transportation and logistics hub, historically tied to the railroad and currently served by major interstates I-29 and I-80, creates a distinct need for commercial auto insurance. The city’s role as a gateway between Iowa and Nebraska, coupled with a strong manufacturing base (e.g., food processing, industrial goods) and a growing retail sector, means a high volume of commercial vehicle traffic for goods distribution, raw material transport, and service delivery across state lines. This constant movement of commercial vehicles, often carrying diverse cargo, increases exposure to varied road conditions, cross-state regulations, and higher traffic density, making robust commercial auto insurance with comprehensive coverage for inter-state operations and cargo essential for local businesses.
Our Carrier Partners
That allows us to find the best premium rates for your business insurance needs in Council Bluffs, IA
Get a Commercial Auto Quote That Reflects Your Actual Business Exposure
Your Council Bluffs business deserves commercial auto coverage built around your vehicles, your drivers, your routes, and your budget.
- We review your operations, vehicle types, driver profiles, and current coverage.
- We shop your risk across multiple carriers to find tailored options.
- We present clear quotes with transparent coverage breakdowns — no hidden gaps.
- We bind your policy and handle all documentation and compliance filings.
Get your commercial auto insurance quote now or call (440) 826-3676 to speak with a licensed commercial auto specialist.
Don’t settle for one-size-fits-all. Get commercial auto insurance tailored to your business, by people who know it best.
Local Zip codes We Serve
51501 / 51502 / 51503