Hired & Non-Owned Auto Insurance for Missouri Home Care Agencies
Many Missouri agencies never think about this exposure until a claim arrives. Caregivers drive their own cars between client homes, pick up groceries and prescriptions, and post mail for clients. If one of them causes a serious accident while working, the injured person's attorney may look past the caregiver's policy and toward your agency.
Why the Caregiver's Policy Runs Out
A caregiver's personal auto policy pays first. But caregiver wages are modest, and most carry limits at or near Missouri's minimum: $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage. A serious crash could exhaust that quickly, and the attorney may then turn to whoever else is tied to the trip: your agency. Hired and non-owned auto is the coverage that responds at that point.
What This Coverage Includes
- Your agency's liability when employees drive their own vehicles on agency business, including travel between clients, errands, client transportation if your model allows it, and in some cases the commute.
- Defense costs when your agency is named in an auto lawsuit, which in serious accidents it often is.
Agencies serving MO HealthNet clients should know the program rules prohibit in-home providers from transporting participants. Your caregivers still drive between homes and run authorized errands, so the exposure remains.
Commercial Auto or Non-Owned Auto?
Vehicles titled to your agency go on a commercial auto policy, such as a car bought through the business or one assigned to a manager. Hired and non-owned auto covers the vehicles you do not own but may still answer for. At most home care agencies, that second group is far larger, because it includes every caregiver who drives to work.
Reducing the Risk First
We help Missouri agencies support this coverage with practical controls: confirming caregivers carry reasonable personal limits, checking motor vehicle records at hire, and writing clear rules for any client transportation. Reduce the risk first, insure what remains, and match the policy to how your agency actually works. Request a Missouri quote, and we will review your driving exposure with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
My caregivers have their own car insurance. Isn't that enough?
It pays first, but it is seldom enough. Most caregivers carry limits near Missouri's minimum of $25,000 per injured person, which a serious accident can exhaust quickly. The injured party's attorney may then pursue your agency, and hired and non-owned auto is what responds.
Our caregivers don't transport clients. Do we still need this?
Very likely yes. Driving between clients and running errands for them may still count as agency business, and the coverage can pay your defense if the agency is named in an auto suit.
How can my agency lower its driving exposure?
Confirm caregivers carry reasonable personal limits, review motor vehicle records when you hire, and put any transportation rules in writing. We help Missouri agencies set up all three.