Question 1

Can I use my personal auto policy for business driving?

Accepted Answer

No, almost certainly not. Personal auto policies specifically exclude regular business use, deliveries, and any vehicle titled to a business. If you're driving for a delivery app, ferrying clients, or even running consistent company errands, your personal policy will likely deny the claim and may cancel mid-term. The fix is either commercial auto on the vehicle or a hired/non-owned endorsement on the company's commercial policy if you use your personal car occasionally for business.

Question 2

What is hired and non-owned auto coverage?

Accepted Answer

Hired and non-owned auto (HNOA) is a liability-only endorsement that protects your business when employees drive vehicles your company doesn't own — rental cars, leased vehicles, or their personal cars used for work errands. Without HNOA, an employee accident in their own car while running a company errand can leave the business directly liable beyond their personal insurance limits. Most service businesses, sales-driven operations, and employers who reimburse mileage need HNOA.

Question 3

How is commercial auto rated differently from personal auto?

Accepted Answer

Commercial auto rates on business class code (a roofing contractor pays multiples of what an attorney pays), vehicle type and value, radius of operation (local vs. long-haul), driver MVRs, fleet size, prior loss runs, and limits. Florida-specific factors include territory (Miami-Dade is the most expensive in the state), garaging address, and whether telematics are installed. Fleet discounts kick in around 5+ vehicles.

Question 4

Does commercial auto cover employee injuries in company vehicles?

Accepted Answer

Liability covers third parties (other drivers, pedestrians, passengers in other cars). Medical payments coverage on the commercial auto policy extends to your driver and passengers in your vehicle, but with low limits ($5K–$25K typically). Serious injuries to employees on the job are workers' compensation claims regardless of whether the injury happened in a vehicle. Both policies together fully cover the spectrum of employee-related auto injuries.

Question 5

What's an MCS-90 endorsement and do I need one?

Accepted Answer

MCS-90 is a federal endorsement required for interstate motor carriers (trucking companies operating across state lines or hauling regulated cargo). It guarantees the public a minimum payout regardless of policy exclusions, and is required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Florida intrastate operators don't need MCS-90, but anyone crossing state lines for hire does. We file the endorsement at no charge.

Question 6

How does telematics affect commercial auto premiums?

Accepted Answer

Telematics — GPS, hard-braking sensors, miles-driven tracking — is increasingly required by Florida carriers for any fleet of 5+ vehicles. Adopters typically see 10%–25% premium reductions after a year of clean driving data, and faster claim resolution because the device captures the accident sequence. The downside is less driver privacy and the cost of devices ($15–$30/vehicle/month). Most fleets find the ROI positive within the first renewal.

Question 7

Does commercial auto cover trailers and equipment in transit?

Accepted Answer

Trailers attached to a covered power unit are typically covered for liability under the commercial auto policy, but physical damage on the trailer itself usually requires a separate trailer endorsement or scheduled equipment line. Cargo and freight in the trailer aren't covered by commercial auto at all — that's motor truck cargo or inland marine coverage. We bundle these so trucking operations have one coordinated program.

Commercial Auto Insurance

Commercial Auto

What's Covered

How It Works

Quote Your Commercial Auto Coverage

Understanding Commercial Auto

Who needs this

How it pays out

The Florida reality

Commercial Auto — Frequently Asked Questions

Stay Informed

Not sure what coverage you need?