In certain businesses, it will become essential that you (the business owner) pay for commercial vehicles. They might be rented, or they might be for permanent use. No matter the case, you should be ready for the most common vehicle expenses that will accompany such businesses.

Maintenance

Normally, rentals won’t need you to do any kind of maintenance. They usually take care of the car’s fluids, fuels, and cleaning. If you have a vehicle that is owned by and for the business, that is a different story. Maintenance is essential and cannot be put off – no matter how inconvenient it might be. While you might get away with delaying repairs or maintenance on a personal vehicle, you are putting a lot more than yourself at risk with a commercial unit. By delaying, you make it likely that you will have to pay for more expensive repairs. Breakdowns at a critical moment can seriously affect your business.

Cleaning

Even more so than with a private vehicle, your commercial vehicle is sending a message with its appearance. That might be in a very literal sense; lots of commercial vehicles have logos and phone numbers printed on them. Thus, it will be very important to make sure that the condition of the car reflects the quality of your company. Always make cleanliness a priority with your vehicle. Clean it at least every two or three weeks or as needed. Car carpets attract dirt and need to be cleaned often, so don’t forget to vacuum and wash every nook and cranny on both the inside and outside.

Insurance

Insurance is practically mandatory if you want to drive a car, so that is a common vehicle expense. This is especially more important for a commercial vehicle when your company can and will be held liable for accidents – and not just you as an individual. Proper vehicle insurance is absolutely essential. You should have it all set up for yourself long before you actually start using commercial vehicles. While it may be more expensive, having thorough coverage will prevent possible problems from crippling you at the worst possible moment. If you have employee drivers, training and/or certifications (if necessary) can be a very helpful option.

Consider your company as a whole. What do commercial vehicles do for you? How essential are they? How often are they used? If you plan everything right, you can predict how much the vehicle expenses will be. You will be just that much more prepared for the realities of business.

Check out this article on what to know about the financial side of running a business!