Commercial Auto for law firms
Covers firm-owned vehicles and liability exposures when attorneys and staff drive for business purposes.
Overview
Commercial auto insurance covers liability and physical damage for vehicles owned, leased, or used by the law firm. Liability coverage pays for bodily injury and property damage the firm causes to others in an auto accident. Physical damage coverage (comprehensive and collision) pays to repair or replace the firm's own vehicles. Importantly, hired and non-owned auto coverage extends protection to situations where employees drive rental cars or their personal vehicles for firm business, such as traveling to court, client meetings, or depositions.
Why it matters for law firms
Attorneys and staff regularly use vehicles for firm business, whether driving to court appearances, client meetings, property inspections, or between office locations. The firm can be held vicariously liable for accidents that occur during business use, even when the employee is driving their own car. Without proper hired and non-owned auto coverage, a serious accident during a business trip could expose the firm to liability well beyond what the employee's personal auto policy covers.
Typical Limits
Liability limits are commonly $1,000,000 combined single limit per accident. Firms with multiple owned vehicles often carry comprehensive and collision coverage with $500 to $1,000 deductibles. Hired and non-owned auto coverage should match the firm's liability limit. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is required in many states and typically mirrors the liability limit. Medical payments coverage of $5,000 to $10,000 per person is standard.
Review your commercial auto coverage
Find out if your current commercial auto meets best practices for your firm size and practice areas.