Hired & Non-Owned Auto Insurance in Versailles, Indiana

What Is Hired & Non-Owned Auto Insurance?

Hired and non-owned auto insurance covers your business when employees use vehicles you don't own for work purposes. This includes personal cars driven for business errands and rental vehicles. Hardy Insurance Group's insurance agents help businesses understand this often-overlooked coverage gap.

Your commercial auto policy covers vehicles your business owns. But what happens when an employee drives their own car to a client meeting or picks up supplies in a rental truck? If they cause an accident during these work-related trips, your business could face a lawsuit. That's where hired and non-owned auto insurance steps in.

Hired auto coverage applies when your business rents or leases vehicles for short-term use. Non-owned auto coverage applies when employees use their personal vehicles for business purposes. Together, these coverages protect your company from liability gaps that could cost you thousands or even millions in damages.

Most businesses add this coverage as an endorsement to their general liability or business owner's policy. It's an affordable way to extend protection beyond the vehicles you own, ensuring your business stays protected no matter who's behind the wheel.

What Does Hired & Non-Owned Auto Insurance Cover?

This coverage protects your business from liability when employees drive vehicles you don't own for work-related activities. Here's what it typically covers:

• Bodily injury liability: Medical expenses, lost wages, and legal costs if an employee injures someone while driving for business in a personal or rental vehicle
• Property damage liability: Repair or replacement costs if an employee damages another person's property during a work-related trip
• Legal defense costs: Attorney fees, court costs, and settlements if your business gets sued after an accident involving a hired or non-owned vehicle
• Rental vehicle accidents: Coverage when employees rent cars, trucks, or vans for business purposes and cause accidents
• Employee vehicle use: Protection when staff members use their personal cars for errands, client visits, or other work activities

The coverage acts as secondary insurance, meaning the employee's personal auto policy pays first. Your hired and non-owned policy covers the remaining costs if the employee's limits aren't enough or if they lack adequate coverage.

This matters because personal auto policies often exclude business use. If an employee causes a serious accident while driving for work, their insurer might deny the claim. Your business would then face the full liability without this protection.

Keep in mind what this policy doesn't cover. It won't pay for damage to the employee's vehicle or the rental car itself. It also doesn't cover employees who regularly use their personal vehicles for business—those situations typically require different coverage. You'll need physical damage coverage or a separate policy for those scenarios.

How Much Does Hired & Non-Owned Auto Insurance Cost?

The cost of hired and non-owned auto insurance depends on several factors specific to your business. Since it's usually added as an endorsement rather than a standalone policy, many businesses find it surprisingly affordable compared to other commercial coverages.

The number of employees who drive for business affects your premium significantly. A company with five employees who occasionally drive will pay less than one with fifty employees making frequent business trips. Your insurer needs to know how many people might be behind the wheel on your company's behalf.

How often your employees drive matters too. Do they make daily client visits, or do they only drive for business once a month? More frequent driving increases exposure and typically raises your premium. Be honest with your agent about driving frequency to ensure you have adequate coverage.

Coverage limits play a major role in pricing. Higher liability limits cost more but provide better protection if a serious accident occurs. Your agent can help you balance adequate coverage with your budget constraints.

Your industry and business operations influence rates as well. Some businesses present higher risks than others based on typical driving patterns and destinations. A delivery-focused business faces different exposures than a consulting firm with occasional client meetings.

Your claims history affects pricing too. Businesses with past auto-related claims may see higher rates, while those with clean records often qualify for better pricing. Working with an independent agent helps you find carriers willing to offer competitive rates based on your specific situation.

The best way to understand your actual cost is to get a personalized quote. Every business has unique needs, and pricing varies considerably based on your specific circumstances.

Do I Need Hired & Non-Owned Auto Insurance?

If employees ever drive for your business—even occasionally—you likely need this coverage. Many business owners assume their commercial auto policy or employees' personal insurance provides adequate protection. Unfortunately, that's often not the case.

You need this coverage if your employees run errands for the business using their own vehicles. This includes picking up office supplies, making bank deposits, or grabbing lunch for a client meeting. Even these simple tasks create liability exposure for your company.

Businesses that rent vehicles for work purposes need hired auto coverage. If you rent a truck to transport equipment or a van for a company retreat, you're exposed to liability if something goes wrong. Your commercial auto policy won't cover these temporary vehicles.

Companies with employees who visit clients or job sites definitely need this protection. Sales representatives, consultants, contractors, and service professionals who drive their personal vehicles for work create significant liability exposure. If they cause an accident during a work trip, your business could face a lawsuit.

Real estate agents, home health care workers, and other mobile professionals who use their own cars for business activities should have this coverage. Their personal auto policies typically exclude business use, leaving a dangerous gap in protection.

Even if you don't own any company vehicles, you might need this coverage. Many businesses without a fleet still have employees who occasionally drive for work. Those situations create just as much liability as owning a company car.

Some clients or contracts require proof of hired and non-owned auto insurance before they'll work with you. Don't wait until you lose an opportunity to add this affordable protection to your policy.

How to Get Hired & Non-Owned Auto Insurance in Versailles

Getting this coverage in Versailles starts with understanding Indiana's requirements and your business's specific needs. While Indiana doesn't mandate this coverage for all businesses, many situations make it essential for protecting your company.

Start by reviewing your current insurance policies. Check your commercial auto policy, general liability policy, and business owner's policy to see what's already covered. Many businesses discover gaps they didn't know existed. Understanding what you have helps identify what you need.

Document which employees drive for business and how often. Make a list of typical driving activities—client visits, supply runs, job site travel, or anything else that requires a vehicle. This information helps your agent recommend appropriate coverage limits.

Consider whether you rent vehicles for business purposes. Track how often you rent, what types of vehicles you use, and for what purposes. This history gives your agent valuable information for crafting the right policy.

Working with an independent insurance agency gives you access to multiple carriers and policy options. Hardy Insurance Group represents several top-rated insurers, allowing us to compare coverage and pricing to find the best fit for your Versailles business.

Indiana businesses face unique considerations based on state laws and local conditions. An agent familiar with Versailles understands these factors and can help you navigate coverage options specific to our area.

Most businesses add hired and non-owned auto coverage as an endorsement to an existing policy, making the process quick and straightforward. Your agent can often add this protection within a day or two, giving you immediate peace of mind.

Don't wait until after an accident to discover coverage gaps. The time to add protection is before you need it, not after a lawsuit arrives.

Get Your Free Hired & Non-Owned Auto Insurance Quote

Protecting your Versailles business from auto liability doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Hired and non-owned auto insurance fills a critical gap that many business owners don't realize exists until it's too late.

Hardy Insurance Group has served Indiana businesses since 1971, helping local companies find comprehensive coverage at competitive rates. We understand the unique needs of Versailles businesses and work with you to build protection that makes sense for your operations and budget.

Ready to close coverage gaps and protect your business? Contact our team for a free quote today. We'll review your current policies, identify any exposures, and recommend coverage that keeps your business protected when employees hit the road.