Commercial Auto Insurance
Protection for vehicles used in your business operations.
If your business owns vehicles, rents vehicles, or has employees who drive for work purposes, you need commercial auto insurance. Personal auto policies exclude business use—meaning a claim could be denied when you need coverage most. Commercial auto protects your business, your vehicles, and your employees on the road.
Get a Commercial Auto Quote
Tell us about your vehicles and drivers for an accurate quote
What Commercial Auto Covers
Liability Coverage
Pays for bodily injury and property damage you cause to others in an accident. This is required by law and protects you when your driver is at fault. Covers medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property repair for the other party.
Collision Coverage
Pays to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident with another vehicle or object, regardless of fault. Essential for newer or financed vehicles where you need to protect your investment.
Comprehensive Coverage
Covers damage from non-collision events: theft, vandalism, fire, hail, flooding, falling objects, and animal strikes. Protects your vehicles from the unexpected when they're parked or in storage.
Medical Payments Coverage
Pays medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of fault. Covers immediate costs like ambulance rides, emergency room visits, and follow-up care.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist
Protects you when the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage. More common than you'd think—about 1 in 8 drivers is uninsured. This coverage fills the gap.
Hired & Non-Owned Auto
Covers vehicles you rent for business use and employee-owned vehicles used for work purposes. Critical coverage that's often overlooked—if an employee causes an accident while on company business in their personal car, your business could be liable.
Personal Auto vs. Commercial Auto
Using your personal auto policy for business activities can leave you without coverage when you need it most. Here's why commercial auto is different:
| Aspect | Personal Auto | Commercial Auto |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Personal errands, commuting, family trips | Deliveries, client visits, transporting goods or equipment |
| Vehicle Ownership | Owned by individual | Owned by business or used primarily for business |
| Driver Coverage | Named drivers and family members | Any authorized employee can be covered |
| Coverage Limits | Typically lower limits | Higher limits available for greater liability exposure |
| Cargo Coverage | Not covered | Can include coverage for tools, equipment, and transported goods |
| Cost | Generally lower premiums | Higher premiums but broader protection |
Important: If you're in an accident while using your personal vehicle for business and you only have personal auto insurance, your claim could be denied. Even occasional business use—like driving to client meetings—can void your personal policy's coverage.
Hired & Non-Owned Auto Coverage
One of the most overlooked—and most important—business coverages available.
Hired Auto
Covers vehicles you rent or lease for business purposes. Whether it's a rental car for a business trip or a truck rented for a move, hired auto provides liability coverage.
Example: You rent a van to transport equipment to a trade show. On the way, your employee causes an accident. Hired auto coverage pays for the damages.
Non-Owned Auto
Covers your liability when employees use their personal vehicles for work. If they cause an accident while on company business, your business can be held responsible.
Example: An employee drives their personal car to pick up office supplies and rear-ends someone. The injured party sues your business. Non-owned auto coverage responds.
Why it matters: Even if your employee has personal auto insurance, their policy may not fully cover an accident that occurs during work activities. And when the injured party discovers your employee was working for your business, they'll sue you too. Hired and non-owned auto protects your business from this liability exposure.
Who Needs Commercial Auto Insurance?
If vehicles are part of your business operations in any way, you likely need commercial auto coverage:
Contractors & Trades
Work trucks, tool transport, job site visits
Delivery Services
Regular deliveries, couriers, food delivery
Sales Teams
Employees driving to client meetings and appointments
Service Businesses
Technicians, repair services, home healthcare
Real Estate Agents
Driving clients to showings, property visits
Landscaping & Lawn Care
Trucks, trailers, equipment transport
Any Business with Vehicles
If your business owns or uses vehicles, you need commercial coverage
Employees Using Personal Cars
Hired and non-owned auto covers your liability when employees drive for work
Real Claims Examples
See how commercial auto insurance responds in real-world scenarios:
Delivery Driver Accident
Scenario: Your delivery driver runs a red light and T-bones another vehicle. The other driver suffers a broken leg and their car is totaled.
Coverage: Commercial auto liability pays the other driver's medical bills ($45,000), car replacement ($25,000), lost wages ($8,000), and pain and suffering settlement ($30,000). Total: $108,000.
Employee in Personal Vehicle
Scenario: An employee driving their own car to a client meeting rear-ends someone. The injured party sues both the employee AND your business.
Coverage: Hired and non-owned auto coverage defends your business and pays the settlement. Without this coverage, your business would pay out of pocket.
Work Truck Theft
Scenario: Your company truck with $15,000 worth of tools and equipment is stolen from a job site overnight.
Coverage: Comprehensive coverage pays to replace the truck. If you have inland marine coverage, it also covers the stolen tools and equipment.
Hail Damage to Fleet
Scenario: A severe hailstorm damages all five vehicles in your company parking lot, causing $4,000 in damage to each.
Coverage: Comprehensive coverage pays $20,000 total for repairs, minus your deductible. One storm, multiple claims, all covered.
Hit by Uninsured Driver
Scenario: An uninsured driver blows a stop sign and crashes into your service van. Your employee is injured and the van is damaged.
Coverage: Uninsured motorist coverage pays your employee's medical bills and your vehicle damage—costs that would otherwise come out of your pocket.
What Affects Your Premium?
Commercial auto premiums depend on many factors specific to your business:
Vehicle Type & Value
Heavy trucks, specialty vehicles, and newer vehicles cost more to insure than older sedans or vans
Driver Records
Clean driving records mean lower premiums; accidents and violations increase costs significantly
Annual Mileage
More miles driven equals more exposure and higher premiums. Local routes cost less than long-haul.
Cargo Type
Hauling hazardous materials, expensive goods, or equipment increases your rates
Number of Vehicles
Fleet discounts are available, but more vehicles means more total premium
Coverage Limits
Higher liability limits cost more but provide essential protection for serious accidents
Industry & Use
Construction, delivery, and transportation face higher rates than office-based businesses
Deductible Choice
Higher deductibles lower your premium but increase your out-of-pocket costs at claim time
Typical Range: A single commercial vehicle might cost $1,200-$2,400/year for basic coverage. Fleets, heavy trucks, and high-risk operations can cost significantly more. Hired and non-owned auto coverage (without owned vehicles) typically runs $250-$500/year. Your actual cost depends on your specific situation.
Get Your Commercial Auto Quote
Protect your business vehicles and your liability exposure. We'll help you find the right coverage for your fleet—whether it's one vehicle or one hundred.
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Ryan Parrack Insurance
Serving Elkins, Buckhannon & Northern/Central WV
Elkins, WV