Choosing the most appropriate bus insurance for your business takes time and consideration. While it may seem easy to choose the least expensive policy, doing so may not give you all of the coverage you need to protect your passengers, drivers and buses.

Keep the following bus insurance basics in mind when you are in the market for a new policy:

1. Learn about the different types of bus insurance available to ensure you choose the coverage that meets your needs.

2. Request bus insurance quotes from multiple providers so you get the best price for the coverage you need.

3. Find out about the latest bus insurance news and trends so you always have a comprehensive policy.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand types and specifications for bus insurance

There are many different types of insurance for the bus industry. Passenger insurance covers injury to the bus passengers and their belongings. Driver insurance covers the bus driver's personal losses, such as loss of income, after an accident. You also have the insurance coverage for the bus itself in the form of full coverage or liability only insurance. In addition to these two types of insurance on the bus, there are also numerous types of type specific insurance such as private bus insurance, transit bus insurance, school bus insurance and charter bus insurance.

I recommend: You can find information about different types of bus insurance, along with the benefits and consideration for each type at Bus For Sale Guide. USABusInsurance.com offers a basic guide to common questions about different types of bus insurance, including commercial bus insurance and private bus insurance. This company also offers an online bus insurance quote.

Get online bus insurance quotes

The coverage required by law for bus insurance varies from state to state. Because of this and numerous other factors including bus model, main use and the bus drivers' driving records, the price you will pay for bus insurance can vary greatly from different bus insurance providers. Getting multiple online quotes for your bus insurance ensures that you are getting the best price for the insurance plan that meets your needs.

I recommend: Car Pro Insurance provides insurance for buses, including tour bus insurance. This company has agents in 48 states. Insured America is a bus insurance provider. This company also provides RV insurance and conversion insurance.

Stay up to date on bus insurance news

Because bus insurance requirements and coverage options change frequently, staying up to date can prove to be a difficult task. Some insurance companies provide newsletters and other updates to help any bus owner or operator stay current on the issues. Check these newsletters often or subscribe to receive updates via email.

I recommend: WF Clayton offers an online newsletter in PDF format that explains coverage types and updated coverage information for commercial insurance policies, including bus insurance policies. PA Post Insurance offers a bus safety newsletter. Archived issues can be found on the website in PDF format.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many bus insurance providers offer discounts on policies if all drivers on the policy complete a safety course. When you are getting bus insurance quotes, ask the providers if the discount is available.

Bus insurance is heavily focused on liability, whether you want to insure an entire public transit bus system or just your own private charter bus company. Especially if you insure a bus that you rent to others to drive, liability will be the largest portion of your coverage.

When you start shopping for bus insurance, like any auto insurance, it's easy to get a free online bus insurance quote. Filling out a single form online and getting multiple quotes is a good way to feel out insurance options, but make sure you read the specific coverage information of all of the bus insurance providers.

As you start looking for insurance for buses, make sure you:

1. Start with auto insurance providers, especially those you may be familiar with already.
2. Get a variety of online quotes for free.
3. Check out bus insurance providers who also insure taxis, limos, and other forms of public and private transportation.
4. Consider the specifics of your insurance needs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for bus insurance with companies you know

Many auto insurance companies also provide insurance for buses, both commercial and private. Check with your existing auto insurance provider or another company you trust.

I recommend: Many auto insurance companies offer free online quotes for all types of insurance, including bus insurance. You can go directly to the site of a company you are familiar with, such as Liberty Mutual, to get a bus insurance quote. Talk to your existing auto insurance provider to find out if you can save time or money by simply extending your coverage.

Get multiple quotes and compare insurance for buses

You can use an online form to get five or six different insurance quotes for free and compare them on a single screen. There's no obligation, but make sure you read more from the provider before choosing a company.

I recommend: Fill out a single request for a bus insurance quote at Insurance Desk and get multiple results. Compare coverage, costs and deductibles from the results page. Net Quote is another good source, not just for bus insurance, but all kinds of insurance quote comparisons.

Talk to a provider that offers insurance for buses, taxis and limos

Some insurance providers specialize in insurance for buses, taxis and limos only. Because these providers specialize in commercial and public transit, they can provide more complete information on tour bus insurance, charter bus insurance, and even city or school bus insurance.

I recommend: Register and get a quote from insurance providers that specialize in bus insurance such as the P.A. Post Agency and Shriver Insurance.

Evaluate the extent of your insurance needs

Think about the uses of your bus. If your bus is serving a large organization such as a church, you might want to look into a more comprehensive coverage plan.

I recommend: Consider getting church insurance, which covers the bus as well as all church property and activities. If your bus is serving a specific purpose that you can't seem to fit with the bus insurance offered by auto insurance providers, try a specialty insurance provider that will tailor coverage to your needs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be aware that if you are starting a charter bus company, required coverage can be as high as $5 million, so make sure you are familiar with commercial bus insurance regulations.

Bus insurance is essential to ensure the safety of your passengers, cargo and buses. From full coverage bus insurance to bus conversion insurance, bus coverage is available to fit any budget and need. Knowing commercial bus insurance regulations is also important to ensure you find coverage that meets or exceeds standards.

Whether you are an owner of a fleet of buses or need individual protection, familiarize yourself with these vital bus insurance key terms to ensure you receive the optimum coverage for your unique insurance needs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Bus federal rules and regulations

Federal rules and regulations for buses includes rules that ensure bus operators carry the appropriate insurance coverage for their cargo and passengers.

I recommend: The American Bus Association offers extensive information on bus federal rules and regulations.

Full coverage bus insurance

Full coverage bus insurance, also known as 'collision and comprehensive' coverage, protects the bus, passengers and cargo no matter who is at fault in an accident.

I recommend: Usabusinsurance.com offers more extensive information on full coverage bus insurance.

Bus conversion insurance

Bus conversion insurance covers buses that have been converted into movable living spaces. Bus conversion insurance is harder to receive than conventional bus insurance.

I recommend: Aon Recreation Insurance offers an in-depth look at bus conversion insurance.

Replacement cost bus insurance coverage

A high-priced insurance option for bus owners and operators, replacement cost bus insurance coverage offers the greatest protection if an accident should occur. If the bus is totaled, a new bus that matches the class and size of the original bus is provided.

I recommend: The California Department of Insurance offers an expanded glossary of insurance terms and explains replacement cost bus insurance coverage.

Bus full timer insurance coverage

Bus full timer insurance coverage applies to buses that serve as the sole legal residence of the bus owner. The policy is a type of liability coverage that protects the bus owner and his property if an accident is the fault of the bus owner.

I recommend: Read more about bus full timer insurance coverage at Busforsaleguide.com.

Garage keepers legal liability coverage

Garage keepers legal liability coverage protects owners and operators of the garage where a bus is stored. If damage occurs while the bus is in the garage, garage keepers legal liability coverage pays for the damages.

I recommend: Read more about garage keepers legal liability coverage at Coverageglossary.com.

If you’re in a business that plans to sell bus insurance plans, then you’re going to need to complete bus insurance education and training courses. Whether you’re a bus insurance agent or broker, you will still need to learn about different insurance for buses and how to market these plans.

Since there are numerous types of buses, each policy will cover different things. For instance, commercial bus insurance will have different inclusions than a private bus insurance plan.

1. Gather general information about insurance for the bus industry. Determine policy offerings, current bus insurance providers and capitation numbers.

2. Join an association. A bus association will often offer educational programs to suppliers of insurance for buses.

3. Receive training in order to broker bus insurance. Clients will want a broker that is knowledgeable about their potential coverage options.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find bus insurance industry training and education opportunities

Look to conventions and training programs to get an idea of what's needed to sell bus insurance. You can stick to more commercial types, like tour bus insurance or offer private bus insurance policies to owners of RVs and similar vehicle types.

I recommend: Vale Training Solutions has both courses and conventions that can provide valuable information about commercial auto policies, like bus insurance. NHTSA provides training for school bus drivers.

Get safety training for bus drivers as a way to keep bus insurance costs low

Some companies give quantifiable training to drivers that can be reported to bus insurance providers to lower costs for beneficiaries.

I recommend: The Pupil Transportation Safety Institute provides ongoing training and education for school bus drivers, which will keep insurance costs down. NHTSA provides training for school bus drivers.

Attend training in commercial bus insurance brokerage

An agent should always attend a training course prior to selling any type of commercial auto insurance, including bus. You have the choice to either attend a virtual course that allows the agent to earn certification online or an in person training session.

I recommend: IRMI.com has online insurance continuing education programs that can expand an agent’s knowledge in specialized fields, like insurance for the bus industry. The commercial auto insurance course will cover this type. For one low price, you can order the commercial auto insurance course from the American Institute for CPCU. The ten module course will include information on different bus insurance policies.

Find other bus insurance industry training and education opportunities

Look to conventions and training programs to get an idea of what's needed to get or sell bus insurance. You can stick to more commercial types, like tour bus insurance or offer private bus insurance policies to owners of RVs and similar vehicle types.

I recommend: Vale Training Solutions has both courses and conventions that can provide valuable information about commercial auto policies, like bus insurance. Visit United Motorcoach Association for information about their Bus & Motorcoach Academy.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most bus insurance course offerings are a continuing education option instead of a standard part of getting a brokerage license.