Hired & Non-Owned Auto Insurance (HNOA)

Hired & non-owned auto (HNOA) covers your business's liability when someone drives a vehicle you don't own for work — a rented truck, or an employee using their own car for a delivery, supply run, or catering job. If your business has no commercial auto policy, a crash in a personal or rented vehicle on company business can come straight back to you. HNOA fills that gap.

Who needs it?

• Restaurants and pizza shops whose drivers deliver in their own cars.
• Caterers driving food, equipment, or staff to off-site events.
• Contractors whose crews run to suppliers or the bank in personal vehicles.
• Any business that rents vehicles, or asks employees to run errands by car.

You need it even if your business owns zero vehicles — that's exactly the exposure HNOA is built for.

What it covers — and what it doesn't

Covers: your business's liability for bodily injury and property damage from a covered accident in a hired or non-owned vehicle.

Doesn't cover: physical damage to the employee's own car (their personal auto policy is primary), or driving unrelated to work. HNOA sits behind the driver's personal coverage for the business's share of liability.

How to add it

HNOA is usually added to your general liability or business owners policy, or written with a commercial auto policy. The cost is typically modest relative to the exposure. Tell your advisor who drives, how often, and whether any vehicles are rented.

FAQ

Do I need HNOA if I only use DoorDash/Uber Eats?

If third-party platforms do all delivery with their own drivers, your direct auto exposure is lower — but confirm the contract and whether any employees ever drive. Many restaurants use a mix, which still creates exposure.

Does my employee's personal auto policy cover business use?

It covers them, but their insurer may limit or exclude business use, and it won't protect your business from a liability claim. That's why the business carries HNOA.

Is HNOA expensive?

Usually no — it's often a modest add-on relative to the size of an auto-accident claim, which makes it one of the better values in a commercial program.

General information from Focus West Insurance Solutions (CA Lic. #0M32679), not coverage advice; terms vary by carrier. Related: HNOA in the glossary · restaurant insurance · contractor insurance.