---
title: "Founder Shield vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance"
description: "Founder Shield brokers liability-only HNOA for mobile employees and volunteers; Heffernan places it inside home care packages for caregiver visits."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/foundershield-vs-heffernan/hired-non-owned-auto"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-23"
---

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# Founder Shield vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance

Founder Shield brokers liability-only HNOA for mobile employees and volunteers; Heffernan places it inside home care packages for caregiver visits.

## Research Scope and Use

Use this comparison to evaluate Founder Shield and Heffernan Insurance Brokers for Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance against the same documented criteria. It identifies differences and questions to confirm; it does not select a winner for a particular business. Offering claims are what each provider publishes about this line unless marked otherwise. “Not found” describes the evidence reviewed, not proof that a feature is unavailable. Confirm the insurer, policy wording, limits, retentions, exclusions and cost in an actual quote.

## Summary

Founder Shield places a liability-only HNOA policy for salespeople, delivery drivers, rentals and volunteers with A- or better AM Best carriers. Heffernan places non-owned and hired auto inside its home care, home health and hospice program, separate from owned-auto coverage. [6](https://foundershield.com/coverage/hnoa-insurance/ "Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance") [3](https://foundershield.com/insurance-faqs/general-faqs/how-do-you-decide-which-carriers-to-approach/ "How Do You Decide Which Carriers to Approach?") [11](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/ "Home Care Business Insurance")

## What Is Founder Shield Insurance?

Founder Shield is a commercial insurance broker for venture-backed and growing businesses. Buyers can request coverage through its online portal and work with advisors on insurer selection, policy changes and claims reporting. [1](https://foundershield.com/ "Founder Shield") [2](https://apx.foundershield.com/ "Quote Portal") [3](https://foundershield.com/insurance-faqs/general-faqs/how-do-you-decide-which-carriers-to-approach/ "How Do You Decide Which Carriers to Approach?") [4](https://foundershield.com/insurance-faqs/general-faqs/what-if-our-company-grows-a-lot-or-things-change-during-the-year/ "What If Our Company Grows A Lot or Things Change During the Year?") [5](https://foundershield.com/claims/ "Claims")

[Founder Shield profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/foundershield)

## What Is Heffernan Insurance Brokers?

Heffernan Insurance Brokers is an independent, Walnut Creek–headquartered retail brokerage that arranges business insurance, employee benefits, and related services. Its technology practice markets to mid- and late-stage companies, including venture-funded and pre-IPO firms. [8](https://www.heffins.com/about-us/our-story/ "Our Story") [9](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/technology/ "Technology Company Insurance") [10](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage")

[Heffernan Insurance Brokers profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/heffernan)

## What Is Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance?

Hired and non-owned auto (HNOA) liability protects the business when rented cars or employees’ own cars are used for work. It does not pay for damage to those vehicles, and it is not a substitute for commercial auto on vehicles the business owns. [12](https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/09-comm/commercialguide.cfm "Commercial Insurance Guide") [13](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/business-owner-insurance/non-owned-auto-liability "Non-Owned Auto Liability Insurance") [14](https://nationalgeneral.com/forms_catalog/CA0001_10012013.pdf "Business Auto Coverage Form")

## Key Differences in Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance

### Baldwin Group Brokerage Versus a Home Care Program

Founder Shield, described as the innovation arm of The Baldwin Group, places HNOA with third-party carriers after a website or advisor request. Heffernan places hired and non-owned auto as part of its home care, home health and hospice insurance program rather than as a general founder-stage auto product. [7](https://foundershield.com/about-us/ "About Us") [6](https://foundershield.com/coverage/hnoa-insurance/ "Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance") [11](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/ "Home Care Business Insurance")

### Audiences

Founder Shield markets HNOA to businesses with mobile employees such as salespeople or delivery drivers, companies that rent, volunteer-reliant organizations, and small businesses without a fleet. Heffernan markets the bundled auto coverage to home health, in-home care, hospice, staffing-agency, infusion-therapy and home-health-aide businesses in all states and agency sizes. [6](https://foundershield.com/coverage/hnoa-insurance/ "Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance") [11](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/ "Home Care Business Insurance")

### Form Notes and Services

Founder Shield describes liability-only third-party bodily injury, property damage and defense when personal auto denies or limits a business-use claim, and excludes physical damage to the vehicle, company-owned vehicles and employee-driver injuries. Heffernan lists Non-owned and Hired Auto apart from Business/Owned Auto so caregiver personal and rental trips are not on the fleet agreement, asks agencies to start at least 30 days before client work, and cites CAHSAH and Home Care Association of America partnerships. Founder Shield says it uses A- or better AM Best carriers; Heffernan’s reviewed page does not publish HNOA limits or name an HNOA insurer. [6](https://foundershield.com/coverage/hnoa-insurance/ "Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance") [3](https://foundershield.com/insurance-faqs/general-faqs/how-do-you-decide-which-carriers-to-approach/ "How Do You Decide Which Carriers to Approach?") [11](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/ "Home Care Business Insurance")

## What to Confirm in Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance Quotes

- Ask Founder Shield which A- or better carrier will issue the policy and whether volunteers are covered. [3](https://foundershield.com/insurance-faqs/general-faqs/how-do-you-decide-which-carriers-to-approach/ "How Do You Decide Which Carriers to Approach?") [6](https://foundershield.com/coverage/hnoa-insurance/ "Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance")
- Ask Heffernan how non-owned and hired auto differs from owned auto on the home care package. [11](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/ "Home Care Business Insurance")
- Confirm Heffernan’s 30-day application window. [11](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/ "Home Care Business Insurance")
- Get limits from both; Heffernan does not publish them. [11](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/ "Home Care Business Insurance") [6](https://foundershield.com/coverage/hnoa-insurance/ "Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance")

## Offering Details

| Criteria | Founder Shield Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance | Heffernan Hired and Non-Owned Auto Brokerage |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Role in This Line | Founder Shield is a retail insurance brokerage, described on its site as “the innovation arm of The Baldwin Group,” and places Founder Shield Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance with third-party carriers rather than underwriting the policy itself. [7](https://foundershield.com/about-us/ "About Us") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: About-us page; applies to Founder Shield's brokerage model generally, restated here for this line..) | Heffernan places hired and non-owned auto liability as part of its home care, home health, and hospice insurance program, alongside owned-auto and other package coverages, rather than underwriting the coverage itself. [11](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/ "Home Care Business Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Home Care Business Insurance page as read on 2026-09-23; other Heffernan practices were not checked for this line..) |
| Issuing Insurer | Founder Shield says it places policies, including Founder Shield Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance, only with carriers rated A- or better by AM Best, chosen for the client's industry. It does not name the issuing insurer for this line; that depends on which carrier the policy is placed with. [3](https://foundershield.com/insurance-faqs/general-faqs/how-do-you-decide-which-carriers-to-approach/ "How Do You Decide Which Carriers to Approach?") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: General carrier-selection FAQ, not specific to this line's placements..) | Not described in the reviewed sources. |
| Who It’s For | Founder Shield markets HNOA to businesses with mobile employees such as salespeople or delivery drivers, companies that rent vehicles, organizations that rely on volunteers, and small businesses without a company fleet. [6](https://foundershield.com/coverage/hnoa-insurance/ "Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: HNOA product page..) | Heffernan markets this bundled auto coverage to home health, in-home care, hospice, staffing-agency, infusion-therapy, and home-health-aide businesses, and says its home care programs cover all states and agency sizes. [11](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/ "Home Care Business Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Home Care Business Insurance page as read on 2026-09-23; 'all states' is a company marketing statement, not a state-by-state availability table..) |
| Coverage Features | Founder Shield says HNOA is a liability-only policy covering third-party bodily injury, third-party property damage and legal defense costs when an employee uses a personal or rented vehicle for business and their personal auto policy denies or limits the claim. [6](https://foundershield.com/coverage/hnoa-insurance/ "Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Product page; the issued policy and declarations control actual coverage..)<br><br>Founder Shield notes HNOA does not cover physical damage to the hired or non-owned vehicle itself, accidents involving company-owned vehicles, or injuries to the employee driving (covered instead by workers' compensation). [6](https://foundershield.com/coverage/hnoa-insurance/ "Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: HNOA product page..) | The home care package lists Non-owned and Hired Auto alongside Business/Owned Auto, so caregivers driving personal or rented vehicles for client visits are covered under a separate insuring agreement from the agency's own fleet. [11](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/ "Home Care Business Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Home Care Business Insurance page as read on 2026-09-23; the page does not detail limits, exclusions, or whether hired/non-owned auto is sold on a stand-alone basis outside the home care package..) |
| Limits and Retentions | Not described in the reviewed sources. | The reviewed page does not publish limits, deductibles, or premium ranges for the hired and non-owned auto coverage. [11](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/ "Home Care Business Insurance") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Home Care Business Insurance page as read on 2026-09-23..) |
| Risk Services | Not described in the reviewed sources. | Heffernan says its home care insurance specialists walk clients through coverage and premium questions, including how to minimize costs and risks, and that it partners with CAHSAH and the Home Care Association of America. [11](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/ "Home Care Business Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Home Care Business Insurance page as read on 2026-09-23; described for the home care program generally, not exclusively for the auto coverage..) |
| How to Apply | You request Founder Shield Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance through Founder Shield's website or an insurance advisor rather than binding coverage directly; Founder Shield says its placement team then approaches carriers on the client's behalf. [7](https://foundershield.com/about-us/ "About Us") [3](https://foundershield.com/insurance-faqs/general-faqs/how-do-you-decide-which-carriers-to-approach/ "How Do You Decide Which Carriers to Approach?") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: About-us and carrier-selection pages describe the general placement process, not a line-specific application form..) | Heffernan tells home care businesses to start the insurance application process at least 30 days before working with clients and to contact the firm for a free rate quote, since rates vary by state. [11](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/ "Home Care Business Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Home Care Business Insurance page as read on 2026-09-23; applies to the home care package generally, not solely to auto coverage..) |

## Full Comparison

- [Founder Shield vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers](https://spot.insure/compare/foundershield-vs-heffernan): all coverage lines, business roles, service and claims.
- [What Is Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance?](https://spot.insure/coverage/hired-non-owned-auto): Hired and non-owned auto liability can protect your business when employees use personal or rented vehicles for work.
- [Founder Shield vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Cargo and Transit Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/foundershield-vs-heffernan/cargo-transit)
- [Founder Shield vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Commercial Property Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/foundershield-vs-heffernan/commercial-property)
- [Founder Shield vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Crime Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/foundershield-vs-heffernan/crime)
- [Founder Shield vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Cyber Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/foundershield-vs-heffernan/cyber)
- [Founder Shield vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Employee Health Benefits](https://spot.insure/compare/foundershield-vs-heffernan/employee-health-benefits)
- [Founder Shield vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/foundershield-vs-heffernan/employment-practices)
- [Founder Shield vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Fidelity Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/foundershield-vs-heffernan/fidelity-bonds)
- [Founder Shield vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/foundershield-vs-heffernan/fiduciary)
- [Founder Shield vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers General Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/foundershield-vs-heffernan/general-liability)
- [Founder Shield vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Last-Mile Delivery Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/foundershield-vs-heffernan/last-mile-delivery)
- [Founder Shield vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/foundershield-vs-heffernan/professional-errors-omissions)
- [Founder Shield vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Representations and Warranties Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/foundershield-vs-heffernan/representations-warranties)
- [Founder Shield vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Workers’ Compensation Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/foundershield-vs-heffernan/workers-compensation)
- [Amelia Risk vs Founder Shield Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-foundershield/hired-non-owned-auto)
- [Amelia Risk vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/amelia-risk-vs-heffernan/hired-non-owned-auto)
- [Beazley vs Founder Shield Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-foundershield/hired-non-owned-auto)
- [Beazley vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/beazley-vs-heffernan/hired-non-owned-auto)
- [Corgi vs Founder Shield Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/corgi-vs-foundershield/hired-non-owned-auto)
- [Corgi vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/corgi-vs-heffernan/hired-non-owned-auto)

## Sources

### Founder Shield

1. [Founder Shield](https://foundershield.com/). Founder Shield; Opening broker description; Specialized Practices; Smart Tech, Smarter People; quote and sign-in links. Accessed 2026-09-15.
2. [Quote Portal](https://apx.foundershield.com/). Founder Shield; Public landing screen, Create Account and Sign In links. Accessed 2026-09-15.
3. [How Do You Decide Which Carriers to Approach?](https://foundershield.com/insurance-faqs/general-faqs/how-do-you-decide-which-carriers-to-approach/). Founder Shield; FAQ answer on carrier selection: works exclusively with A-rated (AM Best) carriers, matched by industry appetite. Accessed 2026-09-23.
4. [What If Our Company Grows A Lot or Things Change During the Year?](https://foundershield.com/insurance-faqs/general-faqs/what-if-our-company-grows-a-lot-or-things-change-during-the-year/). Founder Shield; Carl Niedbala answer, November 25, 2024: operational changes and coverage adjustments. Accessed 2026-09-15.
5. [Claims](https://foundershield.com/claims/). Founder Shield; Our Approach; How We Support Claims Management, steps 1–5; Make a claim link. Accessed 2026-09-15.
6. [Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance](https://foundershield.com/coverage/hnoa-insurance/). Founder Shield; What Is Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance?; Who Needs Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance Coverage?; What Does Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance Cover?. Accessed 2026-09-23.
7. [About Us](https://foundershield.com/about-us/). Founder Shield; “Founder Shield is the innovation arm of The Baldwin Group”; company history and mission. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### Heffernan Insurance Brokers

8. [Our Story](https://www.heffins.com/about-us/our-story/). Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Headquartered in Walnut Creek; nationwide presence; founded 1988; employee owned; niche practices including technology. Accessed 2026-09-16.
9. [Technology Company Insurance](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/technology/). Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Pre-IPO and venture-funded heading; mid to late stage specialization; global expansion copy; self-insurance strategies; Key Markets list; Why Heffernan broker history; Joseph Talmadge practice leader; FAQ. Accessed 2026-09-16.
10. [Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/). Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Forward-Thinking Business Insurance: basic coverages (general liability, commercial property and auto, workers’ compensation); corporate and executive protection (EPL, D&O, fiduciary responsibility, cyber, kidnap and ransom); alternative risk capabilities; claims, loss control and risk-management services; industry practice links including Technology and Claims Advocacy. Accessed 2026-09-16.
11. [Home Care Business Insurance](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/health-care/homecare/). Heffernan Insurance Brokers; We offer comprehensive coverage for: Workers' Compensation Insurance, General and Professional Liability, Employment Practice Liability, Business/Owned Auto, Non-owned and Hired Auto, Sexual Abuse, Crime, Employee Dishonesty Bond, Cyber & Identity Theft, Medical Billing E&O, Property Coverage and more; covering all states and agency sizes. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance Guide

12. [Commercial Insurance Guide](https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/09-comm/commercialguide.cfm). California Department of Insurance; Commercial General Liability; Commercial Automobile; What Should I Expect from a Broker-Agent?; How Are Commercial Policies Rated?. Accessed 2026-09-16.
13. [Non-Owned Auto Liability Insurance](https://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/business-owner-insurance/non-owned-auto-liability). Hiscox; What is covered?; Who is covered; What the policy does not cover. Accessed 2026-09-16.
14. [Business Auto Coverage Form](https://nationalgeneral.com/forms_catalog/CA0001_10012013.pdf). ISO; hosted by National General; I.A p.1; II.A pp.2–3; II.B pp.3–4; III pp.4–6; IV.B.5 p.7. Accessed 2026-09-16.

Updated 2026-09-23. Spot, a product of Tools for Enlightenment, publishes this research and works in the commercial insurance market. The comparison applies the same criteria to both providers. [Editorial policy](https://spot.insure/editorial-policy). To suggest a correction, [contact Spot](https://spot.insure/contact) with the page URL and supporting source.

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