How much does hired and non-owned auto insurance cost?

Hired and non-owned auto insurance protects rented, leased, and personal vehicles that are used for business purposes. It helps cover costs in an accident, such as property damage, bodily injuries, and legal expenses.

Because vehicles used for commercial purposes have higher liabilities, hired and non-owned auto insurance usually costs more than personal auto insurance and about the same as commercial auto insurance.

Though Insureon does not have exact figures for hired and non-owned auto insurance, you can use the cost data for commercial auto insurance for reference. The average premium for a commercial auto policy is $147 per month.

The exact cost of HNOA liability coverage will depend on the vehicles' value, how often they are driven, and the amount of coverage you choose.

As with your personal auto policy, if you want auto insurance that pays for a wide range of damage, you will pay more. Higher coverage limits cost more than basic coverage.

Among Insureon policyholders, the average limit is $1 million for auto insurance.

Businesses with a large fleet of high-value vehicles might choose higher limits to cover potentially higher claims.

The amount of coverage is just one factor that will impact the cost of your hired and non-owned auto insurance policy.

Your insurance provider will also look at a number of other factors when calculating your premium, such as the demographics of your drivers, the number of vehicles you use, and the value of your personal, leased, and rented vehicles.

The more vehicles you own, the more opportunities there are for a car accident. That's why it costs more to insure more vehicles.

Even if you are an independent contractor or sole proprietor who drives your own car occasionally for work, it's still a good idea to buy HNOA coverage. Legal fees can escalate quickly if someone sues over an injury or property damage from an accident.

Without this liability protection, you might end up paying for medical bills and legal costs out of pocket.

The kind of vehicle you drive will have an impact on your hired and non-owned car insurance costs.

A higher value vehicle (e.g., a luxury personal car or rented truck) will have a higher premium than a lower value vehicle. Insurers also look at how much potential damage your car, van, or truck could cause in an accident.

If you work in an industry where you're on the road a lot or there are higher risks, you’ll probably have to pay more for hired and non-owned vehicle coverage.

For example, you’d pay more to insure vehicles used to transport heavy machinery than vehicles used for basic transportation needs.

Insurance companies will look at your claims history to determine how risky you are to insure. Companies that have made past HNOA claims will pay more for insurance than those with a clean history.

Your employees' driving records will affect the cost of hired and non-owned auto coverage. An employee with a history of collisions and speeding tickets can cause higher premiums.

This policy would also cost more for companies that hire younger, inexperienced employees, as opposed to older, more experienced drivers.

The deductible you choose impacts the cost of your HNOA insurance coverage. The higher your deductible, the less expensive your premium will be.

A small business can take several steps to reduce the cost of hired and non-owned auto insurance. However, getting the right auto insurance should take priority. A cheaper policy won't do you any good if it doesn't provide coverage when you need it.

Strategies to keep costs down include:

When you purchase hired and non-owned auto liability coverage, you can choose to pay your premium in either monthly or annual installments. The annual premium often costs less than paying month by month.

Choosing a higher deductible is an effortless way to save on your premium, but make sure to choose a deductible you can still afford. If you can’t pay it, you can’t collect on a claim.

The fewer claims your business makes, the less your insurance premiums cost. You should aim to minimize risks to avoid claims and keep your premium low.

A good risk management strategy to reduce HNOA claims includes:

• Frequent car inspections and maintenance
• Keeping records of employees' driving history
• Avoiding texts or calls to employees on the road
• Mandatory drug and alcohol tests after an accident
• Only allow experienced drivers with clean records to drive for your business

Read "Driving safety tips for businesses with employees" for more details on keeping your employees safe and avoiding accidents.

Insureon is the #1 independent marketplace for online delivery of small business insurance. We help business owners compare coverage options from top-rated providers, buy policies, and manage their insurance online.

By completing Insureon’s easy online application today, you can compare free quotes for HNOA and other property and liability policies from top-rated U.S. carriers. Our insurance agents are available to help answer any questions related to your business needs.

Once you find the right policy, you can begin coverage in less than 24 hours and get a certificate of insurance for your small business.

Insurance premiums vary based on the policies a business buys. See our small business insurance cost overview or explore costs for a specific type of business insurance policy.