Commercial Auto Insurance
Vehicles used for business are rated and covered differently than personal vehicles. Commercial auto covers the vehicles you own and the ones your employees drive on your behalf.
How this coverage works
Who and what is actually covered
Coverage follows symbols on the declarations that define which autos are insured for each coverage. Getting those symbols right determines whether hired and non-owned vehicles are protected.
Hired and non-owned auto liability matters even for businesses that own no vehicles, because employees running errands in personal cars can create liability for the company.
Drivers drive the rate
Insurance carriers review motor vehicle records, driver age and tenure, radius of operation, and the type of cargo or equipment carried. A written driver qualification policy improves both pricing and defensibility.
Telematics programs are increasingly available and can influence eligibility and pricing depending on the insurance carrier and state.
Details to review
- Owned, hired, and non-owned vehicle exposures addressed
- Driver lists and motor vehicle records reviewed at underwriting
- Physical damage written with per-vehicle deductibles
- Higher limits commonly satisfied with a commercial umbrella
What the coverage includes
Coverage names, terms, and availability vary by insurance carrier and state. These descriptions are educational and are not a policy contract.
Common optional add-ons
Endorsements change what a policy covers. Availability differs by insurance carrier and state.
Additional insured
Extends certain liability protection to a party you contract with, as required by the written agreement.
Waiver of subrogation
Gives up the insurance carrier's right to recover from a party named in your contract. Availability varies.
Blanket certificate handling
Sets up recurring certificate issuance for landlords, clients, and general contractors.
Primary and non-contributory wording
Commonly requested in commercial contracts to establish how policies respond to a shared claim.
Who this is generally written for
Eligibility is set by each insurance carrier and can differ by state. Nothing here is a guarantee of eligibility or coverage.
Commonly a good fit
- Businesses with an active operation, revenue history, and a described scope of work
- Owners who can describe payroll, locations, and subcontractor use
- Operations that meet the insurance carrier's underwriting appetite for the class of business
Worth a conversation first
- Recent claims activity, lapses in coverage, or a change of ownership
- Work performed at heights, below grade, or on critical infrastructure
- Contracts with insurance requirements above standard limits
Availability varies by state
State regulation notice
- Monopolistic workers compensation states
- A small number of states require workers compensation through a state fund rather than a private insurance carrier.
- Catastrophe-exposed regions
- Coastal wind, wildfire, and earthquake exposures often require separate deductibles, sublimits, or specialty markets.
- Licensed trades and permits
- Some states and municipalities require specific bond forms or minimum liability limits before a permit is issued.
Frequently asked questions
Coverage that often comes up next
Related coverage worth reviewing at the same time. Nothing is added without your direction.
- Business Owners PolicyPackages general liability and commercial property for eligible small businesses.
- Liability and property in one policy with one renewal date
- Built for eligible small businesses with modest property values
- Optional add-ons for equipment, data, and hired autos
- Workers CompensationStatutory benefits for work-related injury and illness.
- Medical care and lost wages for work-related injuries
- Employers liability protection for injury lawsuits
- Rated on payroll, so accurate class codes matter at audit
Program review: liability, property, and workers compensation
Most businesses are better served by a coordinated program than by separate unrelated policies. A licensed insurance professional can review how your liability, property, auto, and workers compensation coverage fit together, and where a package or umbrella changes the outcome. Availability and pricing vary by insurance carrier and state.
- Business Owners Policy or Commercial Package Policy
- Workers Compensation
- Commercial Auto
- Commercial Umbrella
- Commercial UmbrellaAdditional limits above general liability, auto, and employers liability.
- Adds limits above liability, auto, and employers liability
- Responds when an underlying policy's limits are used up
- Often required by contracts asking for higher limits
Ready to compare your options?
Start online in a few minutes or speak with a licensed insurance professional. There is no obligation, and quoting does not bind coverage.
Insurance coverage is not bound or effective unless and until it has been confirmed in writing by TruvaLink Insurance Agency or an authorized representative of the applicable insurance carrier. Submission of a quote request, application, payment, or other information does not guarantee coverage or constitute proof of insurance.