Which of the following would NOT qualify as a hired auto?

A hired auto typically refers to a vehicle that an insured party has rented or leased for a designated period. In this context, the vehicle must be a part of an official rental or lease agreement, such as those obtained from a rental agency.

When considering the options, borrowing an auto from an employee does not meet the criteria for a hired auto because it involves an informal agreement rather than a formal rental arrangement. The key factor here is that a hired auto should be obtained through an established rental service, which includes terms and conditions that are not present when simply borrowing a vehicle from someone in a personal context.

In contrast, a vehicle rented for less than 30 days would qualify as a hired auto since it has come from a rental agency and is under a rental agreement. Similarly, ridesharing services utilize vehicles that can be classified as hired autos as they are part of a commercial agreement. Borrowing a vehicle from a friend could potentially qualify for coverage under a personal auto policy but does not match the formal definition of a hired auto.

Thus, the distinction lies in the nature of the arrangement. A borrowed auto lacks the commercial rental aspect that defines a hired auto, making it a correct identification for the one option that does not fit the criteria.