678-941-3493

Norton Financial Inc. Home
  • Home
  • About Us 
    • Our Company
    • Our Team
    • Our Services
    • Our Commitment
    • Retirement Planning
    • Wealth Planning Process
    • Our Independence
    • About LPL Financial
    • LPL Reseach Commentary
    • Strategic Partner: Ivy Funds
  • Client Center 
    • Account Access
  • Resource Center 
    • Retirement
    • Estate
    • Investment
    • Insurance
    • Tax
    • Money
    • Lifestyle
  • Tools 
    • Glossary
    • Tax Resources
  • Contact
Insurance Read Time: 3 min

When Does Your Personal Car Become a Commercial Vehicle?

For small business owners, the line between the personal and their business can be a bit hazy at times.  Yet, when it comes to a vehicle that may be used for personal and business-related reasons, it’s important to know how your auto insurer is expected to define what constitutes commercial use.

If you own a car and cover it under a personal auto insurance policy, an insurance company may not pay claims for any damages you incur if the insurance company deems that it was used as a commercial vehicle. For example, if your car is used for rideshare purposes, it may be considered a commercial vehicle when it’s in use.

Not being on the same page with your insurance carrier may result in financial losses, so it pays to ask yourself important questions about your vehicle’s use in order to select the right policy for your car.1

The key distinction for determining if a personally owned car may need commercial auto insurance coverage is whether the vehicle is used for any business-related purpose.

Defining Business-Related Purpose

Your auto may be defined as a commercial vehicle if you use your vehicle to:

  • pick up or deliver any goods,
  • provide a service for a fee,
  • travel to a remote work location or between work locations, or
  • visit client locations.

Additional conditions under which your car may be defined as a commercial vehicle include:

  • the owner named on the vehicle title is a business—incorporated, unincorporated or LLC,
  • the vehicle is rented or leased by others,
  • the vehicle is equipped with a snow plow, has an altered suspension system or other equipment or modification, or
  • the vehicle is driven by you or your employees for both business and personal use on a consistent basis.

If you use your personal vehicle for business reasons only occasionally, it may be covered under your personal policy, but you may need to indicate that on your application for auto insurance.

The wisest course of action is to describe how you expect to use your vehicle for personal and business purposes and let your insurance agent guide you to the most appropriate policy for your situation.

  1. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite.

Have A Question About This Topic?

Thank you! Oops!
 

Related Content

Alternative Investments - Going Mainstream

Alternative Investments - Going Mainstream

Alternative investments are going mainstream for accredited investors. It’s critical to sort through the complexity.

Should You Borrow from Your 401(k)?

Should You Borrow from Your 401(k)?

Does it make sense to borrow from my 401(k) to pay off debt or to make a major purchase?

The Pre-Retirement Checklist

The Pre-Retirement Checklist

This checklist can give you a quick snapshot of how prepared you are.

Contact

Stability | Loyalty | Independence

Office: 678-941-3493

108 Corporate Dr.

Carrollton, GA 30117-2464

jason@nortonfinancialinc.com

Quick Links

  • Retirement
  • Investment
  • Estate
  • Insurance
  • Tax
  • Money
  • Lifestyle
  • All Articles
  • All Videos
  • All Calculators
  • All Presentations

Check the background of your financial professional on FINRA's BrokerCheck.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. Some of this material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named representative, broker - dealer, state - or SEC - registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.

We take protecting your data and privacy very seriously. As of January 1, 2020 the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) suggests the following link as an extra measure to safeguard your data: Do not sell my personal information.

Copyright 2023 FMG Suite.

Securities are offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Norton Financial Inc. is another business name of Independent Advisor Alliance. All investment advice is offered through Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC and Norton Financial Inc. are separate entities from LPL Financial.

The LPL Financial registered representative(s) associated with this website may discuss and/or transact business only with residents of the states in which they are properly registered or licensed. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident of any other state.

CRPC conferred by College for Financial Planning.