The rear-end collision
An employee rear-ends another car while driving the company van.
Auto liability can pay for the other driver's injuries and vehicle damage.
Commercial Property & Casualty
Commercial auto, from one vehicle to a fleet.
Commercial auto insurance covers vehicles your business owns, leases or regularly uses, from a single work truck to a fleet, including liability for accidents and damage to the vehicles themselves.
What commercial auto covers.
Personal auto policies typically exclude or limit business use. If a vehicle is titled to the business, carries tools or equipment, or is driven for work every day, it likely needs a commercial policy.
Auto is often the hardest line to place, and it's where umbrella carriers set their minimum limits, so it's worth getting right.
- Auto liabilityInjuries and property damage you cause to others in an accident, plus legal defense.
- Physical damageCollision and comprehensive coverage for your vehicles, including theft, hail and fire.
- Uninsured and underinsured motoristsInjuries caused by a driver without enough insurance, where purchased or required.
- Medical payments or personal injury protectionMedical costs for drivers and passengers, depending on the state.
- Hired and non-owned autoLiability for rented vehicles and employees' personal cars used for work, when added.
What it typically doesn’t cover
- Tools and equipment in the vehicleContents usually need inland marine coverage.
- Employee injuriesA driver hurt on the job is covered by workers' compensation. Workers' Compensation Insurance
- Unlisted or excluded driversDrivers the carrier hasn't approved can create a coverage problem.
- Cargo you haul for othersTrucking operations need motor truck cargo coverage.
Coverage descriptions are general summaries. Actual coverage is governed by the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy issued. Availability varies by state and carrier.
Real-world examples
What a claim can look like.
Claims rarely look dramatic at the start. They usually begin with an ordinary day, an email or a phone call.
The hailstorm
A hailstorm damages several work trucks parked in your lot.
Comprehensive coverage can pay for the repairs.
The stolen tools
Tools are stolen from a locked work truck overnight.
Usually not covered by auto. That's what inland marine is for.
Examples are illustrative. Whether a claim is covered depends on the facts and the terms, conditions and exclusions of your policy.
Often paired with
Hired & Non-Owned Auto Insurance (HNOA)Liability protection when employees use personal or rented vehicles for business purposes.Umbrella & Excess Liability InsuranceAdditional liability limits above underlying commercial liability policies.Workers' Compensation InsuranceMedical care and lost wages for employees injured on the job.General Liability & Products Liability InsuranceThird-party bodily injury, property damage and products-related claims.Questions
Common questions about commercial auto, answered.
Do I need commercial auto if I use my personal car for work?
Occasional errands may fall under a personal policy, but regular business use often isn't covered. If employees drive their own cars for work, the business should also carry hired and non-owned auto.
Can you insure trucking operations?
Yes. We place coverage for owner-operators and growing fleets, including primary auto liability, motor truck cargo, physical damage and general liability.
What limits should I carry?
Many contracts require $1 million combined single limit, and umbrella carriers often require specific auto limits underneath. We match limits to your contracts and assets.
How much does commercial auto cost?
Commercial auto pricing depends on the types of vehicles and how they're used, your drivers' records, where vehicles are garaged and how far they travel, your limits and deductibles, and your loss history. We compare options across our carrier relationships so you see real prices for your business, not an average.
Talk to an advisor
Let's get this fitted properly.
Tell us about your business. A principal will review your needs, shop the market and walk you through the options in plain English.