Auto Liability Coverage

Auto Liability Coverage

Auto Liability Coverage

Auto liability policies cover damages the insured becomes legally obligated to pay arising from a covered auto. Commercial forms use symbols to designate which vehicles are covered, ranging from any auto to specifically scheduled vehicles.

Coverage typically includes a duty to defend and supplementary payments.

Alternative Names:

Automobile Liability, Commercial Auto Coverage

Why it Matters?

The covered auto symbols are where commercial auto coverage disputes originate, since a symbol limiting coverage to owned autos leaves hired and non-owned vehicles uninsured. In trucking and delivery operations the interaction between the motor carrier's policy, an owner-operator's non-trucking coverage, and any trailer interchange endorsement determines which policy responds, and that analysis should occur immediately after a serious loss.

Frequently asked questions

What do covered auto symbols do?

What do covered auto symbols do?

They define which vehicles the coverage applies to, from any auto to only scheduled vehicles, and a narrow symbol can leave hired or non-owned vehicles uninsured.

Which policy responds in a trucking loss?

Which policy responds in a trucking loss?

It depends on whether the vehicle was in the motor carrier's service at the time, which determines whether the carrier's policy or non-trucking liability coverage applies.