Insurance for Your Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business in Illinois

At minimum, you need commercial auto liability insurance, general liability insurance, and workers compensation insurance if you have employees. Most Medicaid managed care organizations require commercial auto limits of at least $1 million per occurrence. You'll also likely need hired and non-owned auto coverage and may be required to carry a commercial umbrella policy. The exact requirements depend on your contracts — Handzel & Associates can review your agreements and build a policy that meets every requirement.

Costs depend on your fleet size, vehicle types, driver experience, years in business, claims history, and the coverage limits you need. Commercial auto insurance for a single wheelchair-accessible van typically ranges from approximately $3,000 to $8,000 per year, though rates can be higher for new businesses or operators with limited driving history. The best way to get an accurate number is to request a personalized quote — call us at (773) 725-6767 or fill out the form on this page.

Yes. While new ventures typically face higher premiums than established operators, Handzel & Associates works with carriers that specialize in writing coverage for new NEMT businesses. We'll help you find a policy even if you don't have prior operating history. Having drivers with clean CDL or commercial driving records, completed NEMT training, and a solid business plan can help improve your options.

You absolutely must carry commercial auto insurance. Personal auto policies contain explicit exclusions for vehicles used to transport passengers for hire or for any commercial purpose. If you operate your NEMT business on a personal auto policy and have an accident, your insurer will deny the claim. You'll be personally liable for all damages, medical bills, and legal costs, and you could lose your operating authority and face regulatory penalties.

Medicaid managed care organizations in Illinois typically require commercial auto liability limits of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence. Some MCOs and transportation brokers require higher limits or a combined single limit (CSL). You'll also generally need hired and non-owned auto coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and medical payments coverage. Your specific MCO contract will outline the exact requirements — we can help you review it and make sure your policy is compliant.

We insure all types of vehicles used in non-emergency medical transportation, including wheelchair-accessible vans (side-entry and rear-entry), stretcher and gurney transport vans, sedans and SUVs for ambulatory patients, minibuses, and multi-passenger vehicles. We can also cover specialized equipment like wheelchair lifts, ramps, stretcher mounts, and ADA-compliant tie-down systems installed in your vehicles.

In most cases, yes. If any of your employees ever use their personal vehicles for company-related tasks — even just driving to your lot to pick up a company vehicle — hired and non-owned auto coverage is essential. It's also required if you rent or borrow vehicles. Many Medicaid MCOs and transportation brokers in Illinois require this coverage as a condition of their provider contracts.

Yes. Handzel & Associates has served the diverse Chicago-area community since 1989. We provide insurance consultations and ongoing policy support in English, Polish, Ukrainian, and Russian, so NEMT operators can fully understand their coverage options and policy details in the language they're most comfortable with.