Commercial Auto
Definition. Commercial Auto covers vehicles used for business purposes — owned, leased, or hired. Personal auto policies explicitly EXCLUDE commercial use.
Also known as: Business Auto, Commercial Vehicle Insurance
The 5-part policy structure: Liability (third-party BI + PD), Physical Damage (Comprehensive + Collision for your own vehicle), Medical Payments / PIP, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist, and Hired & Non-Owned Auto (HNOA). Required by every state DMV for any business-registered vehicle.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules add MCS-90, BMC-91, USDOT, MC Authority requirements for interstate for-hire operation.
Example
A contractor's pickup truck loaded with tools is hit at an intersection. Personal auto would deny the claim due to commercial use; Commercial Auto pays.
Sources cited
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📘 Educational content only.
Reviewed by California-licensed Property & Casualty insurance agent
Jason Wootton (CA License #0I94454). Not insurance advice, an individual recommendation, or a solicitation in any state. Insurance regulations vary by state. For specific coverage decisions, consult a licensed insurance agent in your state.
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