Coverage
Commercial auto and hired non-owned auto for sober living homes
House managers drive residents to medical appointments, twelve-step meetings, work and court dates. When that driving happens in a personal vehicle on a personal policy, the operation and the driver may both be uncovered for it.
Drivers + vehicles
Most sober living homes do not own a vehicle. Almost all of them have someone driving residents anyway — which is the gap hired and non-owned auto exists to close.
01
The personal-policy assumption
Many operators assume the house manager’s own auto policy responds when residents are driven. Personal auto policies commonly restrict or exclude use of a vehicle for business purposes. If a claim is denied on that basis, the driver may be left with it personally while the operation is still named.
Drivers + vehicles
When staff drive residents, the operation’s liability travels with the vehicle.
02
Hired and non-owned auto
Hired and non-owned auto coverage addresses the liability a business faces when employees drive their own vehicles for the operation, or when the operation rents or borrows one. It responds on behalf of the business and is generally excess over the driver’s own policy. It does not pay to repair the employee’s vehicle.
03
When the home owns a vehicle
A van or car titled to the operating entity generally calls for a commercial auto policy, and a personal policy may not respond to a business-titled vehicle. Driver selection, motor vehicle record review and who is permitted to transport residents all affect how the risk is underwritten.
Frequently asked
Common questions
Does the house manager’s personal auto policy cover driving residents?
Often it does not. Personal auto policies commonly restrict or exclude using a vehicle for business purposes. If transporting residents is part of the job, the personal policy may deny the claim while the operation is still named in the action.
What is hired and non-owned auto coverage?
It addresses the liability a business faces when employees drive their own vehicles for the business, or when the business rents or borrows a vehicle. It responds on behalf of the operation and is generally excess over the driver’s own coverage. It does not repair the employee’s vehicle.
Do we need commercial auto if the home owns a van?
Generally yes. A vehicle titled to the operating entity usually needs a commercial auto policy, and a personal policy may not respond to a business-titled vehicle. Limits, listed drivers and passenger exposure should all be reviewed.
No existing policy needed
Tell us how your sober living home actually operates.
Most operators who contact us are insuring a sober living home for the first time. Tell us how the home runs and we’ll come back with the coverage options and pricing available for it.