Commercial Auto Insurance — Minnesota

Personal auto insurance
doesn’t cover your business.

Every time a business vehicle pulls out of the lot — or an employee drives to a job site, makes a delivery, or visits a client — your business is exposed. Personal auto policies exclude business use. A serious accident without commercial auto coverage puts everything you’ve built at risk.

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Covers business-owned vehicles and employee use

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Fleet discounts for 5+ vehicles

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Local agency — Chaska, MN since 2011

If it’s business use, personal auto won’t cover it.

A delivery driver runs a red light. A technician rear-ends someone in traffic. A salesperson loses control on an icy road. An employee backing a work truck hits a pedestrian. These happen every day — and when they do, your business is on the hook.

What’s at stake without commercial auto:

Personal auto policies specifically exclude business use — claims can be denied
General liability also excludes auto accidents
A serious accident with injuries easily exceeds $1 million in damages
Your business assets are directly exposed to any judgment

Commercial auto covers your vehicles, your drivers, and your business from vehicle-related liability. Whether you have one work truck or a fleet of fifty, the right policy protects every mile driven on your behalf.

If you have any of these, you need commercial auto

✓ Business-owned vehicles of any type
✓ Employees who drive to job sites or clients
✓ Delivery or service vehicles
✓ Employees who run errands in their own cars

Coverage Types

What commercial auto insurance covers

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Liability Coverage

The core of commercial auto. Pays for injuries and property damage when your vehicle or driver causes an accident — medical expenses, lost wages, property repair, and legal defense. Typical limits: $500K–$1M CSL. State minimums are dangerously low for business use.

Minnesota requires UM/UIM coverage. Minimum liability limits ($30K/$60K) are inadequate for business — $250K/$500K or higher is the practical minimum.

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Physical Damage (Collision & Comprehensive)

Collision covers your vehicle when it hits something. Comprehensive covers theft, vandalism, fire, hail, and deer strikes. Both cover your own vehicles, regardless of fault. If you have newer or specialized vehicles, physical damage coverage is essential.

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Medical Payments

Pays medical expenses for your driver and passengers injured in an accident, regardless of fault. Covers immediate care without waiting for liability determination. Typical limits: $5,000–$10,000 per person.

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Hired Auto Coverage

Covers liability when employees drive rented or borrowed vehicles for business. Your employee rents a car while traveling for work and causes an accident — hired auto protects your business from the resulting liability.

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Non-Owned Auto Coverage

Covers liability when employees use their own vehicles for business purposes. A salesperson who visits clients in their personal car creates business liability exposure. Non-owned auto fills the gap between personal auto and commercial use.

Critical for any business where employees drive their own vehicles for work — even occasionally.

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Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist

Protects you when you are hit by a driver with no insurance or inadequate coverage. Required in Minnesota unless waived in writing. Matches your liability limits to ensure full protection in either direction.

Minnesota Specifics

Minnesota roads create real commercial auto exposure

Winter Driving

Ice and snow significantly increase accident frequency. Reduced visibility, longer stopping distances, and black ice on bridges create elevated liability exposure for every mile driven in winter months.

No-Fault State

Minnesota is a no-fault state for medical expenses. Your PIP coverage pays your driver’s medical bills first. For serious injuries exceeding the no-fault threshold, liability claims follow. Adequate limits on both are essential.

State Minimums

Minnesota’s minimum commercial auto liability ($30K/$60K) is dangerously low for business use. A serious accident can easily exceed $100K in medical bills alone. We recommend $250K–$500K+ for most business vehicles.

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Minnesota Commercial Auto Checklist

Inventory your vehicles, assess your driver exposure, and understand what coverage your business needs before your quote.

Download Free Checklist →

Quick Rate Estimate

What does commercial auto cost for your fleet?

Rates vary by vehicle type, use, and driver history. Answer four questions for a realistic range.

Our Process

Three steps to commercial auto coverage

Tell Us About Your Operations

We need to understand your vehicles, drivers, how they use the vehicles, annual mileage, and any special requirements — DOT compliance, additional insured, certificates for contracts.

We Build the Right Coverage

We match your operations to the right policy structure — liability limits, physical damage, hired and non-owned auto — and compare options from multiple commercial auto carriers to find the best fit.

You Hit the Road Protected

Coverage in place, certificates issued, any DOT requirements addressed. We review annually as your fleet or operations change — adding vehicles or drivers is a quick update.

Frequently Asked Questions

What business owners ask about commercial auto

No. Personal auto policies typically exclude business use — if you have an accident while using your car for business and your insurer determines it was business use, they may deny the claim. If you regularly use a personal vehicle for work, talk to us about the right coverage options for your situation.

Hired auto covers vehicles you rent or borrow for business — an employee renting a car on a work trip. Non-owned auto covers employee-owned vehicles used for business — a salesperson who visits clients in their own car. Both provide liability coverage for your business when someone is driving a vehicle you don’t own. Both are typically available as endorsements.

Yes. Employees who regularly drive business vehicles should be listed. We may review their motor vehicle records (MVRs) as part of underwriting. Employees with poor driving records can increase premiums or affect coverage availability. Implementing a driver screening policy before hiring is a best practice that also improves your risk profile.

No. Commercial auto covers the vehicle, not its contents. Tools, equipment, and materials stored in business vehicles need to be covered separately under a tools floater or commercial property inland marine policy. This is one of the most common coverage gaps for contractors.

Trailers can be added to your commercial auto policy and should be listed specifically. Coverage options include liability, physical damage, and cargo depending on what the trailer carries. If you frequently rent trailers rather than own them, hired auto coverage addresses the liability.

Industries with Significant Auto Exposure

Commercial Trucking Landscaping Contractors Excavation Painting Contractors Auto Repair

Get Your Quote

Protect every mile your business drives.

One work truck or a full fleet — we build commercial auto programs for Minnesota businesses of every size.

We shop multiple commercial auto carriers
Fleet discounts for 5+ vehicles
Certificates and additional insured same-day
DOT compliance guidance if applicable
Annual reviews as your fleet changes

Start your free quote

Fill out the form and an agent will be in touch within one business day.

Commercial auto isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your operations determine your coverage.

DOT requirements, hired and non-owned gaps, fleet structure, and driver policies all affect what you need — and what you pay.

Featured Agent

Dane Roti

Commercial Lines Agent

I work with Minnesota businesses from single-vehicle contractors to multi-vehicle service fleets. Commercial auto requires understanding how your business actually uses its vehicles — route patterns, job site exposure, driver profiles — to build coverage that protects every mile without overpaying on limits you don't need. I also make sure your auto coverage coordinates with your GL and umbrella so there are no gaps between them.

(952) 392-9508 dane@options-insurance.com options-insurance.com

👥 Meet the full Options Insurance team →

Personal auto insurancedoesn’t cover your business.