---
title: "Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs The Hartford Commercial Auto Insurance"
description: "The Hartford underwrites commercial auto sold through agencies or Tivly; Heffernan brokers the line as a listed business coverage with no online auto quote."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/heffernan-vs-the-hartford/commercial-auto"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-23"
---

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# Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs The Hartford Commercial Auto Insurance

The Hartford underwrites commercial auto sold through agencies or Tivly; Heffernan brokers the line as a listed business coverage with no online auto quote.

## Research Scope and Use

Use this comparison to evaluate Heffernan Insurance Brokers and The Hartford for Commercial 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

The Hartford describes its commercial auto options, named industries and a $574 monthly average, and does not currently sell the line online for small businesses. Heffernan places commercial auto with carriers as a basic business coverage and asks you to contact the brokerage, without publishing those product options or averages. [7](https://www.thehartford.com/commercial-auto-insurance "Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage") [3](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage")

## 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. [1](https://www.heffins.com/about-us/our-story/ "Our Story") [2](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/technology/ "Technology Company Insurance") [3](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage")

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

## What Is The Hartford?

The Hartford is the brand of The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc., whose subsidiaries underwrite property-and-casualty insurance and employee benefits. Small-business buyers can start online or by phone or work through independent agents, while the issuing company and state eligibility still have to be confirmed on a quote. [4](https://www.thehartford.com/legal-notice "Legal Notice") [5](https://www.thehartford.com/business-insurance/saas-insurance "SaaS Insurance for Your Business") [6](https://www.thehartford.com/find-an-agent "Find a Local Insurance Agent")

[The Hartford profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/the-hartford)

## What Is Commercial Auto Insurance?

Commercial auto insurance addresses liability and vehicle-damage exposures from vehicles used in business. [8](https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/09-comm/commercialguide.cfm "Commercial Insurance Guide")

## Key Differences in Commercial Auto Insurance

### Issuing Carrier Versus Placing Broker

The Hartford’s commercial auto product covers property damage and medical expenses when company vehicles cause an accident. Heffernan arranges commercial auto with insurance carriers rather than underwriting it. A Hartford quote names The Hartford; a Heffernan quote still has to disclose which market wrote the form. [7](https://www.thehartford.com/commercial-auto-insurance "Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage") [3](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage")

### Options, Trades and Average Cost

The Hartford lists bodily injury and property damage liability, drive-other-car for executives, collision, comprehensive, medical payments, uninsured motorists and rental car coverage, names beauty, consulting, photography, retail, technology and restaurants, and reports about $574 a month ($6,884 a year) as a customer average. Heffernan’s reviewed page does not list those options, trades or a cost figure. [7](https://www.thehartford.com/commercial-auto-insurance "Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage") [3](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage")

### Agency or Tivly Versus a Broker Call

The Hartford does not currently sell commercial auto online for small businesses; it sends you to a local agency or Tivly. Heffernan also has no described online auto quote and tells you to contact the brokerage. Heffernan adds claims, loss control, HR consulting and risk-management services around the program; The Hartford’s reviewed auto page does not describe those brokerage services. [7](https://www.thehartford.com/commercial-auto-insurance "Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage") [3](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage")

## What to Confirm in Commercial Auto Insurance Quotes

- Confirm whether The Hartford is bound through an agency or Tivly, and which carrier Heffernan places. [7](https://www.thehartford.com/commercial-auto-insurance "Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage") [3](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage")
- Ask for drive-other-car, rental reimbursement and uninsured-motorist limits on both quotes. [7](https://www.thehartford.com/commercial-auto-insurance "Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage") [3](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage")
- Do not use $574 a month as your Hartford premium; Heffernan has no published average until quotes exist. [7](https://www.thehartford.com/commercial-auto-insurance "Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage")
- Check vehicle types: The Hartford names cargo vans, box trucks and service utility trucks; Heffernan does not. [7](https://www.thehartford.com/commercial-auto-insurance "Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage") [3](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage")

## Offering Details

| Criteria | Heffernan Commercial Auto Insurance Brokerage | The Hartford Commercial Auto Insurance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Role in This Line | Heffernan lists commercial auto insurance among the basic business-insurance coverages it arranges, alongside general liability, commercial property and workers' compensation. As a broker, it places this coverage with insurance carriers rather than underwriting it itself. [3](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Business Insurance page's basic-coverages list..) | The Hartford's commercial auto insurance helps cover property damage and medical expenses when a business or its employees cause an accident using company vehicles. [7](https://www.thehartford.com/commercial-auto-insurance "Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Commercial auto product page as read 2026-09-23..) |
| Issuing Insurer | No insurer is named for commercial auto on the reviewed page; the issuing carrier would appear on the quote and declarations. [3](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Checked the Business Insurance page on 2026-09-23..) | Not described in the reviewed sources. |
| Who It’s For | Not described in the reviewed sources. | The Hartford says coverage requirements vary by state, and names industries it targets: beauty shops, consulting, photography, retail, technology and restaurants; covered vehicle types include cars, commercial cargo vans, commercial trucks, pickup trucks, box trucks and service utility trucks. [7](https://www.thehartford.com/commercial-auto-insurance "Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Commercial auto product page as read 2026-09-23..) |
| Coverage Features | The business insurance page lists commercial auto as one of the basic coverages Heffernan can provide, without describing specific insuring agreements, limits or exclusions for the line. [3](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Business Insurance page's basic-coverages list, a single-line mention..) | The Hartford lists common commercial auto coverage options: bodily injury liability, property damage liability, drive-other-car coverage for executives, collision, comprehensive, medical payments, uninsured/underinsured motorist, and rental car coverage. It excludes unrelated medical expenses, contents inside the vehicle, accidents in an employee's personal vehicle for personal reasons, and rental-vehicle repair costs while a company vehicle is being fixed. [7](https://www.thehartford.com/commercial-auto-insurance "Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Commercial auto product page as read 2026-09-23. General coverage description; the issued policy controls..) |
| Limits and Retentions | The business insurance page does not publish limits, deductibles or premium ranges for commercial auto coverage. [3](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Checked the Business Insurance page on 2026-09-23..) | The Hartford reports average commercial auto costs of about $574 a month ($6,884 a year) for its customers; the page does not publish standard liability limits, which it says depend on business type, vehicle type, driving records, cargo and location. [7](https://www.thehartford.com/commercial-auto-insurance "Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Company-reported average as of 2026-09-23 (page last updated by The Hartford August 27, 2026); not a coverage limit..) |
| Risk Services | Heffernan says clients arranging its business insurance coverages, including commercial auto, get access to its claims services, loss control, HR consulting, and risk management and assessment services. [3](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Business Insurance page's services paragraph, described at the whole business-insurance-program level rather than specific to commercial auto..) | Not described in the reviewed sources. |
| How to Apply | The page's call to action directs buyers to contact Heffernan Insurance Brokers directly to find out what it can do for their business, including commercial auto. No separate online quoting flow specific to commercial auto is described. [3](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/ "Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Business Insurance page contact call to action..) | The Hartford does not currently sell commercial auto coverage online for small businesses; it directs buyers to a local agency or to its partner Tivly for a quote instead of a self-serve online flow. [7](https://www.thehartford.com/commercial-auto-insurance "Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Commercial auto product page as read 2026-09-23..) |

## Full Comparison

- [Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs The Hartford](https://spot.insure/compare/heffernan-vs-the-hartford): all coverage lines, business roles, service and claims.
- [What Is Commercial Auto Insurance?](https://spot.insure/coverage/commercial-auto): Commercial auto insurance can cover your business's liability on the road and damage to the vehicles you insure.
- [Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs The Hartford Business Owner’s Policy](https://spot.insure/compare/heffernan-vs-the-hartford/business-owners-policy)
- [Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs The Hartford Commercial Property Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/heffernan-vs-the-hartford/commercial-property)
- [Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs The Hartford Crime Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/heffernan-vs-the-hartford/crime)
- [Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs The Hartford Cyber Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/heffernan-vs-the-hartford/cyber)
- [Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs The Hartford Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/heffernan-vs-the-hartford/employment-practices)
- [Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs The Hartford Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/heffernan-vs-the-hartford/fiduciary)
- [Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs The Hartford General Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/heffernan-vs-the-hartford/general-liability)
- [Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs The Hartford Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/heffernan-vs-the-hartford/hired-non-owned-auto)
- [Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs The Hartford Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/heffernan-vs-the-hartford/professional-errors-omissions)
- [Heffernan Insurance Brokers vs The Hartford Workers’ Compensation Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/heffernan-vs-the-hartford/workers-compensation)
- [Alliance Risk vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Commercial Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-heffernan/commercial-auto)
- [Alliance Risk vs The Hartford Commercial Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-the-hartford/commercial-auto)
- [Chubb vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Commercial Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/chubb-vs-heffernan/commercial-auto)
- [Chubb vs The Hartford Commercial Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/chubb-vs-the-hartford/commercial-auto)
- [Corgi vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Commercial Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/corgi-vs-heffernan/commercial-auto)
- [Corgi vs The Hartford Commercial Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/corgi-vs-the-hartford/commercial-auto)

## Sources

### Heffernan Insurance Brokers

1. [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.
2. [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.
3. [Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage](https://www.heffins.com/business-insurance/). Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Forward-Thinking Business Insurance for 21st Century Exposures: basic coverages including general liability, commercial property, commercial auto, workers' compensation and global/foreign exposures; claims services, loss control, HR consulting and risk management and assessment services; alternative risk arrangements. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### The Hartford

4. [Legal Notice](https://www.thehartford.com/legal-notice). The Hartford; The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. holding-company description; no representation that all products are available in all locations; P&C writing-company table as of December 31, 2025 including Hartford Fire (NAIC 19682) and Hartford Underwriters (NAIC 30104); life writing companies including Hartford Life and Accident (NAIC 70815). Accessed 2026-09-16.
5. [SaaS Insurance for Your Business](https://www.thehartford.com/business-insurance/saas-insurance). The Hartford; Audience list (software startups, SaaS, IT consulting); Get a Business Owner’s Policy; What Is Business Owner’s Policy Insurance?; general liability introduction and Get a Quote; Get Commercial Property Insurance; Commercial Property Insurance for Your Business; Benefits of The Hartford’s WC Insurance for Employers and Employees; cyber insurance and data breach descriptions; Get a quote for cyber insurance; EPLI introduction and Private Choice Premier; add-ons (workers’ compensation, data breach, commercial auto); technology professional liability mention; small-business availability banner; industry-average premium footnote; footnote 2 state restrictions; footer product-availability disclosure. Accessed 2026-09-16.
6. [Find a Local Insurance Agent](https://www.thehartford.com/find-an-agent). The Hartford; Small-business and midsize agent locators; FAQ that buyers can purchase without an agent by calling or quoting online; statement that agents may charge fees. Accessed 2026-09-16.
7. [Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage](https://www.thehartford.com/commercial-auto-insurance). The Hartford; Banner: The Hartford does not currently offer this coverage online for small businesses; What Does Commercial Auto Insurance Cover?; What Is Not Covered?; What Types of Vehicles Are Covered?; Do I Need Commercial Auto Insurance?; How Much Does Commercial Auto Insurance Cost?. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### Commercial Auto Insurance Guide

8. [Commercial Insurance Guide](https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/09-comm/commercialguide.cfm). California Department of Insurance; Commercial Automobile: Coverage, Classification and Limits. 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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