If your team drives to job sites using personal cars or rented vans, your business might be at risk without you knowing it. Many cleaning business owners assume their standard liability or commercial auto insurance covers every vehicle used for work, but that’s often not the case.
Would your business be protected if a team member got into an accident in their own car while driving to a client’s home? If the answer isn’t clear, it’s time to explore cleaning business auto insurance — specifically, a lesser-known but essential coverage called hired and non-owned auto insurance.
What Is Hired & Non-Owned Auto Insurance?
Hired and non-owned auto (HNOA) insurance protects your business from liability when employees or contractors use vehicles your company doesn’t own, such as when:
- An employee drives their personal car to a job site.
- You rent a van for a large cleaning project or event.
- A team member uses a temporary vehicle for deliveries or supply runs.
It’s important to understand what this coverage does and doesn’t include. HNOA coverage doesn’t pay for physical damage to the vehicle being used. That’s typically covered by the driver’s own insurance or the rental agreement. Instead, HNOA helps cover your business’s liability if that driver causes injury or property damage while working on your behalf.
HNOA is not a replacement for commercial auto insurance. It’s designed to fill the gap when your cleaning business uses vehicles outside of its owned fleet, whether by necessity or convenience.
HNOA Is Essential in the Cleaning Industry
Cleaning companies are mobile by nature. Whether you’re transporting equipment to a construction cleanup site or responding to a last-minute commercial job, chances are your team relies on more than just company-owned vehicles.
Imagine these scenarios:
- You rent a van to accommodate extra supplies for a large janitorial contract.
- An employee uses their personal car to deliver products between client locations.
- A supervisor drives their own SUV to inspect a new property for a post-construction cleaning bid.
In each case, if an accident happens, your business could be pulled into a lawsuit, even if you don’t own the vehicle involved.
Who Needs HNOA Coverage?
You likely need hired and non-owned auto insurance if your team members use their personal vehicles for work-related errands or site visits. You may also need it if you rent or lease vehicles for short-term use or work with subcontractors or 1099 workers who drive on your behalf.
Keep in mind that state-specific commercial auto laws may influence your auto liability requirements. A qualified broker can help ensure you’re meeting legal obligations while protecting your business.
Close Gaps in Your Cleaning Business Auto Insurance
Overlooking hired and non-owned auto coverage can leave your business exposed to claims that don’t fall under your general liability or fleet insurance. It’s one of the most common blind spots in cleaning business risk management, especially for growing companies or those using flexible staffing models.
If you’re unsure whether your current policy includes hired and non-owned auto insurance, it’s worth a conversation. The Moody Clean Insurance team understands how cleaning businesses operate and how their coverage needs to evolve as they grow.
Reach out today to schedule a coverage review and make sure your business is protected, no matter whose vehicle gets the job done.
About Moody Clean Insurance
Helping one cleaning business started it all. Two decades later, Moody is one of the largest insurance providers to both independent and franchise cleaning businesses throughout the country. Put decades of experience to work for your cleaning operations. Regardless of size or cleaning specialty, we can help your cleaning business chart a strategic, economical path for your risk management and insurance. Relationships all start with a first conversation. Reach out, and let’s schedule a time to talk about protecting and growing your cleaning business.
