Commercial Auto
Commercial auto covers vehicles your firm owns or leases. Hired and non-owned auto covers employees driving rented cars or their own cars for work, which is how most design firms actually drive.
Many contracts ask for $1M auto liability even if the firm owns no vehicles. Hired and non-owned coverage is usually how that requirement is met.
What It Is Built For
Firm-owned vehicles
Trucks and cars used for site visits, surveying and inspections.
Employees’ own cars
When a staff member causes an accident driving to a meeting, the firm can be sued too.
Rental cars
Cars rented for project travel.
Equipment in vehicles
Survey and scanning equipment usually needs its own coverage, not auto.
Commercial Auto: Common Questions
We do not own vehicles. Do we need auto coverage?
Often yes. Hired and non-owned auto protects the firm when employees drive for work, and many contracts require it.
Does my employee’s personal policy cover work driving?
It may respond first, but the firm can still be named in a lawsuit. Hired and non-owned coverage protects the firm itself.
Is equipment in the truck covered by auto?
No. Scanners, drones and survey gear need equipment or inland marine coverage.
Tell Us About Your Firm. We’ll Tell You What We See.
Starting out or renewing, with a policy in hand or not. If something is worth discussing, we’ll call. If not, we’ll say so.