Quick Answer
Commercial Auto vs Public Auto Insurance
Commercial auto covers business vehicles transporting goods or providing services. Public auto covers vehicles transporting passengers for a fee. Commercial auto has lower liability limits (
| Feature | Commercial Auto | Public Auto |
|---|---|---|
| Who it covers | Goods/service transport | Passenger-for-hire transport |
| Liability limits |
Insure Limos | Commercial Transport & Luxury Livery InsuranceM CSL standard |
Insure Limos | Commercial Transport & Luxury Livery InsuranceM–$5M CSL |
| State filings | Not required | Required (CPUC, TLC, DOT) |
| Passenger endorsements | Not included | Required |
| For-hire coverage | Excluded | Core purpose |
Use commercial auto when your vehicle transports goods, tools, or business personnel — not paying passengers. Delivery drivers, contractors, sales reps, and businesses with company fleets need commercial auto. It does not cover for-hire passenger operations.
Any time you charge passengers a fee for transportation. Taxis, limousines, black cars, shuttles, NEMT, paratransit, charter buses, and rideshare all require public auto insurance. Personal auto and standard commercial auto exclude for-hire passenger operations.
Commercial auto covers goods/service transport with
When your vehicle transports goods, tools, or business personnel (not paying passengers). Delivery, contractors, company fleets.
Whenever you charge passengers a fare. Taxis, limos, NEMT, shuttles, buses, and rideshare all require public auto.
No. Commercial auto contains livery exclusions. Any for-hire passenger claim will be denied.
Related: Coverage Types — Get a Quote — Locations
Quote in 2 minutes. Same-day filings. Expert guidance on limits & compliance.
Get a Free Quote 1-888-254-0089