Commercial Lines

Back to Basics – What Does Symbol 1 on the Business Auto Policy Cover?

While Symbol 1 of the Commercial Auto Policy should cover “any auto” your insured drives, there are no guarantees that 1) Your carrier will allow this coverage on all or any of your insured’s vehicles, and 2) that the carrier won’t add an additional audit charge at audit after an accident involving “any auto.” Often…

Car insurance document, with a vehicle and policy, 3D illustration, copy space for text,

The Era of Vehicle Hacking is Here. Are Insurers Ready?

Do you think your car can be “stolen” yet still be sitting in the parking lot or driveway with you in it? Well, evidently, it can – it’s called “Hacking.” Because of the technology found in new vehicles, hacker may be able to “steal” your car even though you are still in passion of it.

traffic jams in the city, road, rush hour

Church-Owned, Pastor Insured: Is This Correct?

An agent asks: A vehicle is registered to a church that provides the vehicle to the senior pastor and his wife for their personal use. The vehicle is insured on the pastor’s PAP and the church is not listed as an additional insured. The pastor and his wife use the vehicle mostly for their personal…

Businessman hand holding umbrella and cover red car toy on table. Car insurance, warranty, repair, Financial, banking and money concept

Running MVRs for Commercial Auto Clients

Agents often get pulled into spots they don’t need to be; one of those is pulling MVRs for commercial auto clients. If asked to run MVRs for your commercial auto client, what should you do?

Paper contract form with a signature about to be signed on a signature field.

Trailer-Related Liability Chart

Here’s your one-stop-shop for Liability Coverage for Trailer-Related Liability: Primary and Excess Protection.

“Leaseback” of a Personally-Owned Auto Done Right

Personally-owned autos belong on a personal auto policy (PAP), but occasionally a commercial insured intentionally or unintentionally includes one or several personally-owned auto(s) on its business auto policy (BAP). Commercial clients may do this for one of many reasons; but when a commercial client intentionally or unintentionally includes a personally-owned auto on the BAP, the…

car after an accident, after a pedestrian hit

Auto Statutes by State

State laws vary regarding auto policies, personal and commercial. Each state prescribes its own minimum limits and other required coverages. Some state require Uninsured Motorist (UM) and some states require Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM). Is it a Personal Injury Protection state (aka, No-Fault); or are you allowed to exclude a driver?

Car crash dangerous accident on the road. SUV car crashing beside another one on the road.

Pulling a Personally Owned Trailer with a Company Truck

We get a number of questions regarding insuring trailers. Here is yet another twist, along with links to other articles at the end. If you search the VU for “trailer”, you will undoubtedly find many more.

The Insurance Implications of the U.S. Supreme Court Same-Sex Marriage Ruling – Commercial Lines Edition

On June 26, 2015 in Obergefell v. Hodges, the U.S. Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision ruled in favor of same-sex marriage. So what does this mean for you and your customers? Specifically, what are the P&C coverage implications? This article primarily examines some commercial lines issues and the companion article does the same for…

The dome of the US Capitol at Washington D.C. on a blue sky background

Food Truck Claim…BAP or CGL?

According to a recent news story, a dozen or more people were injured by exploding propane tanks used for cooking on a food truck parked at the curb of a public street. With lawsuits likely, where is the coverage…BAP or CGL? Or both? Or neither?