Commercial Auto
Personal auto excludes business use. Commercial auto fills that gap with proper liability, physical damage, and hired/non-owned coverage.
Coverage that actually covers.
- Liability and physical damage
- Hired and non-owned auto
- Cargo and equipment options
- Fleet rating
Liability
Bodily injury and property damage you cause.
Physical damage
Comprehensive and collision for your vehicles.
Hired/non-owned
Coverage for vehicles you rent or employees use for work.
Insurance for the vehicles your business depends on
Commercial auto helps protect vehicles that are used for work, whether that is one pickup truck or a fleet of vans. It can help pay for injuries and damage your drivers cause to other people and, depending on the coverage you choose, for damage to your own vehicles.
- It is meant for vehicles used for work, not just for commuting.
- It can cover the drivers you allow, including employees.
- You choose which coverages to carry, from liability to physical damage.
- It can be written for one vehicle or a whole fleet.
Situations commercial auto may help with
An accident on a delivery
An employee rear-ends another car while making a delivery.
Damage to a company van
A company van is damaged in a collision on the way to a job.
Theft or storm damage
A work truck is stolen or damaged in a storm, if you carry comprehensive coverage.
A rented vehicle
An employee has an accident in a rented vehicle while working, if you carry hired and non-owned auto coverage.
How it differs from your personal car insurance
How the vehicle is used
Personal auto policies often limit or exclude coverage when a vehicle is used for business, like deliveries, hauling tools or equipment, or carrying clients. Commercial auto is built for that use.
Who is driving
Commercial auto can cover your employees and other drivers you allow, not just you and your household.
Whose name is on the title
A vehicle owned by a business, not a person, generally needs a commercial policy.
Bigger vehicles, higher limits
Commercial policies can offer higher liability limits and can cover vehicles like box trucks and trailers that personal policies may not.
What commercial auto typically doesn't cover
Tools and equipment you carry
Items inside the vehicle are generally covered by business property or inland marine coverage, not the auto policy.
Your own employees' injuries
An employee hurt while driving for work is generally a workers' compensation matter.
Wear and tear
Maintenance, breakdowns and normal wear are not insurance losses.
Employees' own cars, first
An employee's personal car is insured by their own policy first. Hired and non-owned coverage may add protection for your business.
Every policy is different
Minimum auto liability requirements are set by each state, and some vehicles and types of work have extra rules. Whether a claim is covered depends on the policy's terms, limits and exclusions. Your advisor can help you check what applies to your vehicles and where you operate.
Business insurance, explained first
More than one option
We compare policies from more than one insurance company, so you can see options side by side instead of a single offer.
One dedicated advisor
The same licensed advisor helps you from your first question through your renewal.
Answers before paperwork
Learn what a policy is for and ask your questions before you share details about your business.
Local to the DMV
Based in Rockville, Maryland, and licensed in MD, VA, DC, OH, NC and PA.
Answers, in plain English.
- Do I need this for rideshare?
- Standard rideshare endorsements cover personal apps; full commercial is needed for delivery or trucking.
Pair it with
All coverage →General Liability
Protects your business from third-party bodily injury, property damage, and ad-injury claims.
ExploreWorkers' Comp
Mandatory in most states for employees — medical, wage replacement, and disability.
ExploreBusiness Owners Policy
General liability and commercial property bundled into one policy, usually cheaper than buying them separately.
ExploreReady to secure your Commercial Auto?
EnsuranceMax LLC is a licensed insurance agency (NPN 14306621) authorized to operate in (MD), (VA), (DC), (OH), (NC), & (PA).