Commercial Auto Liability Insurance
Commercial auto liability insurance for multi-vehicle businesses, placed through A-rated carriers by a licensed independent agency with 20+ years of experience.
TL;DR
Commercial auto liability insurance protects your business when a covered vehicle causes bodily injury or property damage to someone else. It is usually the core of a fleet policy and the coverage every contract asks about first. It can also include legal defense for a covered claim, although how defense costs are handled depends on the policy. We shop A-rated carriers and put the options in front of you so a licensed agent can explain what each one actually includes.
What It Covers
Coverage comes from the policy you bind, not from a generic description. In general terms, commercial auto liability responds to:
- Bodily injury to others caused by a covered vehicle
- Property damage to others caused by a covered vehicle
- Legal defense for a covered claim, depending on how the policy handles defense costs
The useful question isn't whether liability coverage covers something in general. It's whether the policy in front of you covers it, at the limits and terms you agreed to bind.
What It Doesn't Cover
Each coverage protects a different part of the risk. Liability covers injuries or property damage your business causes to others. It does not protect your own vehicles; that is physical damage. It does not protect customer freight you are responsible for while hauling it; that is cargo coverage. It does not respond when rented, borrowed, or employee-owned vehicles are used for work; that is hired & non-owned auto. Workers' compensation and general liability are separate policies again. A fleet program is these pieces put together around one operation. See what a full fleet policy includes
How Much Liability Coverage Do You Need?
Most contracts and lenders require more than the state minimum. A $1 million combined single limit is a common benchmark in commercial contracts, not a universal requirement. Some operations are asked for $1.5 million, $5 million, or more depending on the contract and the type of business. If a vehicle is financed, the lender will also commonly require comprehensive and collision to protect the vehicle itself. Bring us the contract's insurance requirements and we shop to them.
Who Needs It
Businesses running multiple vehicles that need:
- Liability options sized to what their contracts actually require
- Certificates before a contract or work start date
- One agent who can review the fleet and explain the policy being offered
FAQs
Is commercial auto liability required?
Requirements vary by operation and state, and most contracts and lenders require more than the state minimum. Tell us the contract and we tell you what it asks for.
Does it cover my own vehicles?
No. Liability covers what your vehicles do to others. Your own vehicles are protected by physical damage coverage, which lenders commonly require on financed vehicles.
Does it cover an employee driving their own car for work?
That is hired & non-owned auto, a separate coverage. Hired & non-owned auto
Related: Commercial fleet insurance · Contractor fleet insurance
Need liability coverage before a deadline?
Start the quote early. Nothing changes until you decide to bind.
Licensed in California, Nevada, Texas, Arizona, and Florida, with additional state licenses in progress. Nevada License #17116002. If your fleet is garaged in another state, ask us; we can often place coverage or point you to the right market.