What Is Hired & Non-Owned Auto Insurance?

Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance provides liability coverage for bodily injuries or property damage that you or your employees cause while driving for work. This protection applies to vehicles you “hire” (like a rental car) or vehicles your business doesn’t own (like employees’ personal vehicles). You can usually add this coverage as endorsement to your General Liability Insurance.

Note: Hired and Non-Owned Auto coverage does not pay for collision damage. You’ll still require a separate policy for that. This policy is strictly for liability associated with accidents – so if someone involved sues you claiming you were negligent.

Hired Auto coverage can help fill the gap in your personal auto liability insurance for work driving (note: personal policies tend to exclude this activity). It can even take the place of the liability coverage you may need for a rental car. It’s important to know that Hired Auto coverage can address your company’s liability, but it doesn’t offer liability protection for the person driving the car. Whoever was behind the wheel may be personally liable for third-party injuries or property damage.

Non-Owned Auto coverage can help pay for legal expenses if your business is sued over a car accident you or your employees caused while driving a personal vehicle for business errands. Just like Hired Auto, it only covers the company’s liability, and its role is to fill the gap in personal auto liability coverage, which doesn’t cover business driving. Keep in mind that whoever was driving can still be held personally liable for any damage or injuries they cause.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

If you do not already have this type of coverage and your employees occasionally use their own vehicles for business purposes—even quick errands—consider adding it to your business insurance package today. Consult with Gold River Insurance Brokerage to review your business automobile and general liability policies to ensure you have adequate coverage and liability limits for non-owned and hired automobiles.