Commercial Auto Insurance Symbols: What do they mean?

Taking the time to understand the language and symbols on your commercial Automobile Insurance policy may seem like trying to learn a new language. Still, it is essential to understand your policy fully so you know how you’re protected. Below you can find a few general guidelines that will be helpful when deciphering your policy:

• Each symbol represents the type of vehicle protected by the applicable liability or physical damage limit.

• The symbol may apply to the type of vehicle covered or the vehicle’s ownership status.

• The various terms within your policy have specific definitions that you should become familiar with.

• The symbols are different on coverage for liability as compared to physical damage coverage.

Liability Coverage Auto Symbols

• 1 = Broadest symbol; covers any “auto.” (ANY AUTO)

• 2 = Covers any “auto” owned by the insured, including those attained after the policy begins. It also applies to trailers used with owned vehicles. (OWNED AUTOS ONLY)

• 3 = Covers only private passenger “autos” owned by the insured. (OWNED PRIVATE PASSENGER AUTOS ONLY)

• 4 = Covers all “autos,” other than private passenger vehicles owned by the insured. This includes cars that are attained after the policy begins and applies to trailers used by an owned vehicle. (OWNED AUTOS OTHER THAN PRIVATE PASSENGER AUTOS ONLY)

• 5 = Applies to “autos” owned by the insured garages or licensed in no-fault benefit law states. (OWNED AUTOS SUBJECT TO NO-FAULT)

• 6 = Applies to “autos” garaged or licensed in states where uninsured motorist coverage is required. (OWNED AUTOS SUBJECT TO A COMPULSORY UNINSURED MOTORIST LAW)

• 7 = Covers only the “autos” and trailers listed on the policy. (SPECIFICALLY DESCRIBED AUTOS)

• 8 = Covers “autos” that the insured leases, hires, rents, or borrows for their use. It does not cover “autos” that are leased, hired, rented, or borrowed for employee or family member usage. (HIRED AUTOS ONLY)

• 9 = Covers “autos” that the insured does not own, lease, hire, rent, or borrow but are used for business purposes. These “autos” may be owned by employees or family members but must be used for the insured’s business or personal matters. (NON-OWNED AUTOS ONLY)

Physical Damage Coverage Automobile Symbols

• 1 = Covers “autos” owned by the insured, including those attained after the policy begins. (OWNED AUTOS ONLY)

• 2 = Covers only private passenger “autos” that are owned by the insured. (OWNED PRIVATE PASSENGER AUTOS ONLY)

• 3 = Covers all “autos” (other than private passenger vehicles owned by the insured. (OWNED AUTOS OTHER THAN PRIVATE PASSENGER AUTOS ONLY)

• 4 = Applies to “autos” that are listed on the policy. This also covers trailers used with a listed vehicle. (SPECIFICALLY DESCRIBED AUTOS)

• 5 = Covers “autos” that the insured leases, hires, rents, or borrows for their use. This does not cover “autos” leased, hired, rented, or borrowed for use by an employee or family member. (HIRED AUTOS ONLY)

At times, there may not be an appropriate symbol for the type of coverage provided. In those instances, a unique symbol is used and added to the policy through an endorsement. The endorsement will contain a complete description and explanation of the symbol’s meaning, and the symbol will also appear with the applicable coverages on the policy.