Commercial Auto Insurance in Ontario
From one work truck to a full fleet, business vehicles need coverage that matches how they are used. We connect Ontario businesses with brokers who place commercial auto, fleet, trucking and non-owned auto coverage, and who explain what the 2026 Ontario auto changes mean for you.
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Service & Support:
- Follow-up from a licensed broker within 24 hours
- Policy Review and Comparison
- Risk Assessment
- Help with certificates of insurance, policy changes and contract reviews
- Renewal planning well before your policy expires
Quick answer
What does commercial auto insurance cover in Ontario?
Commercial auto insurance in Ontario covers business owned and business used vehicles for third party liability, statutory accident benefits, uninsured automobile coverage and physical damage. Businesses can add fleet, cargo, garage and non-owned auto coverage. The legal minimum liability is $200,000, but many businesses carry $1 million or $2 million. A licensed Ontario broker can match coverage to vehicle use.
Commercial Auto Insurance in Ontario
If a vehicle is used for your business, it needs to be insured for business use. That includes a single pickup truck used on job sites, a fleet of delivery vans, a dump truck, or employees driving their own cars to see clients.
Commercial auto insurance covers business owned and business used vehicles for liability, accident benefits and physical damage. In Ontario it is built on the same mandatory framework as personal auto insurance, but the limits, rating and extra coverages are designed for business risk.
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We are not an insurer or a broker. We find you the right one.
Matched by industry
We connect you with a broker who works with businesses like yours, not a generic call centre.
Licensed Ontario brokers
Insurance brokers in Ontario are licensed by the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO).
Fast follow up
Once we receive your information, a professional in our network will connect with you within 24 hours.
No cost to be matched
Our referral service is free for businesses. You deal directly with the broker for quotes and coverage.
What auto insurance does Ontario law require for businesses?
Mandatory auto coverage in Ontario
Every vehicle driven on Ontario roads must be insured. A standard Ontario auto policy includes third party liability with a legal minimum of $200,000, statutory accident benefits and uninsured automobile coverage. Most businesses carry $1 million or $2 million in liability, and many contracts require it.
Third party liability for injury and damage you cause to others
Statutory accident benefits for people injured in a collision
Uninsured automobile coverage
Direct compensation property damage for your own vehicle, which you can elect not to claim
Accident benefit changes as of July 1, 2026
As of July 1, 2026, only medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits remain mandatory under Ontario’s statutory accident benefits. Other benefits, such as income replacement, became optional. For business owners this is worth reviewing with your broker, especially where employees drive as part of their job.
CVOR for trucks and buses
Trucks with a registered gross weight or actual weight over 4,500 kg, buses seating 10 or more passengers, and tow trucks generally need a Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR) certificate in Ontario. Your CVOR safety record and your insurance underwriting are closely linked.
What commercial auto coverages should Ontario businesses consider?
A broker will match coverage to how your vehicles are actually used.
Liability and physical damage
Liability pays for injury and damage you cause to others. Physical damage coverage protects your own vehicles through collision, comprehensive or all perils coverage, subject to deductibles.
- Higher liability limits for contract requirements
- Collision and comprehensive on owned vehicles
- Coverage for upfitted equipment such as racks, plows and lifts
Fleet insurance
Once you have several vehicles, a fleet policy can simplify administration and let you add and remove units as your business changes. Fleet pricing leans heavily on driver records, telematics and safety programs.
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Hired and non-owned auto
If employees use their own vehicles for work or you rent vehicles, your business can be named in a claim. Non-owned auto liability (the SPF 6 policy in Ontario) and coverage for damage to hired vehicles close that gap.
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Trucking and cargo
For-hire carriers need auto liability, physical damage and cargo insurance for the goods they haul. Cross-border operations have additional US requirements.
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Garage and dealer coverage
Repair shops, dealers, detailers and valet operators are responsible for customers’ vehicles in their care. A garage policy covers your liability for vehicles you service, store or drive.
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What affects commercial auto insurance premiums in Ontario?
Commercial auto is priced on the vehicle, the driver and the way the vehicle is used.
Vehicles and use
Vehicle type, weight, value, radius of operation and whether it carries goods, tools or passengers.
Drivers
Driving records, experience, licence class and how you screen and train new drivers.
Claims and safety
Claims history, CVOR record where applicable, telematics and written fleet safety programs.
Keep your vehicles and your business moving
A vehicle claim can take a truck off the road and put your business on the hook for injuries at the same time. The right commercial auto program protects both, and it keeps you compliant with Ontario law and your contracts.
Tell us about your vehicles and drivers, and we will connect you with a broker who places commercial auto and fleet insurance in Ontario.
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How do owned, hired and non-owned auto coverage differ?
Each coverage responds to a different way your business uses vehicles.
| Coverage | Vehicles it applies to | What it protects |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial auto policy | Vehicles the business owns or leases | Liability, accident benefits and physical damage to your vehicles |
| Hired auto (physical damage) | Vehicles the business rents or borrows | Damage to the rented vehicle, subject to policy terms |
| Non-owned auto liability (SPF 6) | Employees' personal vehicles used for work | The business when it is named in a claim |
| Garage policy | Customers' vehicles you service, store or drive | Your liability for vehicles in your care |
Commercial Auto Insurance FAQs
Do I need commercial auto insurance for a personal vehicle I use for work?
If the vehicle is used for business purposes such as hauling tools, making deliveries or carrying clients, your insurer needs to know. Depending on the use, you may need a commercial policy or a business use endorsement.
What is the minimum auto liability in Ontario?
The legal minimum is $200,000 in third party liability. Most businesses carry $1 million or $2 million, and many contracts require at least $2 million.
What changed with Ontario auto insurance on July 1, 2026?
Only medical, rehabilitation and attendant care accident benefits remain mandatory. Other accident benefits, such as income replacement, are now optional. Review your choices with a broker, especially for vehicles employees drive.
Do I need a CVOR certificate?
Generally yes if you operate trucks over 4,500 kg registered gross weight, buses that seat 10 or more passengers, or tow trucks in Ontario. Check the Ontario government CVOR guidance for exemptions.
Are my employees covered when they drive their own cars for work?
Their personal policy responds first, but your business can still be sued. Non-owned auto liability protects the business in that situation.
Does commercial auto cover tools in my truck?
Usually not. Tools and equipment are generally covered under a separate tools and equipment or contractors equipment policy.
What information do I need to get a commercial auto insurance quote?
A broker will typically ask for each vehicle's year, make, model, VIN, weight and use, plus the radius of operation and what the vehicle carries. They will also need driver names, licence numbers and driving records, your claims history and, for trucks, your CVOR details. Having your current policy on hand makes the comparison faster.
What does commercial auto insurance not cover?
Commercial auto typically does not cover tools and equipment stored in the vehicle, goods you haul for others unless you add cargo coverage, or normal wear and mechanical breakdown. Your business's general liability exposures away from the vehicle also fall under a CGL policy instead. Exclusions depend on the policy wording, so review them with your broker.
Can a new business or new driver get commercial auto insurance?
Yes, although new ventures and inexperienced drivers are often rated more cautiously and may face more questions from underwriters. Clean driving records, a written driver screening process and safety measures such as telematics can help. A broker who works with several insurers can find markets that write new businesses.
What to expect from a specialist
1Discovery Call
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We will request your
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2Risk Mapping
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3Market Placement
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and negotiate terms, exclusions, and deductibles.
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