Does General Liability Cover Auto Accidents?
Generally no. Auto crashes belong under commercial auto coverage, not a standard CGL policy.
A standard commercial general liability (CGL) policy generally does not cover auto crashes. Its auto exclusion applies to many injury and property-damage claims involving an insured’s ownership, maintenance, use, or entrustment of a vehicle, including some negligent-hiring allegations.
If your business uses vehicles, get commercial auto coverage and check that the vehicles, drivers, business uses, liability limits, and physical-damage coverage match your operation. Ask how hired and non-owned vehicles are covered; the CGL exclusion does not fill that gap.
Related Coverage
Sources
- Commercial Insurance Guide. California Department of Insurance; Commercial General Liability; Commercial Automobile; Workers Compensation; Commercial Property. Accessed 2026-09-25.
- Commercial General Liability Coverage Form, CG 00 01 12 07. ISO; specimen hosted by Hiscox; Coverage A I.A pp.1–5; Coverage B I.B pp.6–7; Who Is An Insured II pp.9–10; Limits III p.10; Conditions IV pp.10–12; Definitions V pp.12–16. Accessed 2026-09-25.
