Don't Ask Your Agent If You Have Business Use

It’s tempting to ask your agent, “Do I have business use?” The problem is that question doesn’t give enough context to get you the right answer. Carriers and policies can treat different work uses differently, so what you need is a simple, honest description of your actual week.

What to say instead

Replace the jargon with statements:

• “I drive for Uber two nights a week.”

• “I haul tools to jobs Monday–Friday.”

• “My daughter uses our SUV for a lawn business on weekends.”

• “My employer has me visit clients in my car.”

• “I deliver wedding cakes and sometimes tow a small trailer.”

From there, your agent can determine whether you’re fine as‑is, need an endorsement, or should consider a commercial setup.

Why details matter

• Frequency: Occasional vs. daily use can be treated differently.

• Cargo: Tools, inventory, food, or equipment may change the picture.

• Passengers: Transporting people can raise specific questions.

• Towing: Trailers can affect how the vehicle should be insured.

• Other drivers: Employees or family members using the vehicle may matter.

• Apps/employers: Platform programs or employer policies may interact with your own.

A simple template to message your agent “Here’s how I use my car each week: [days/times], [what I carry], [any towing], [any apps], [any employer errands], [anyone else who drives it]. What should we review?”

Michigan and Ohio note

This isn’t legal advice, but context helps: Michigan’s no‑fault structure and Ohio’s traditional liability system mean your specific policy details matter. The safest step is to share your routine and let your agent align coverage accordingly.

Bottom line

Skip the labels. Tell us the truth about what your Tuesday afternoon looks like. That’s the fastest path to coverage that fits the life you’re actually living.