SYMBOL 9 – NON-OWNED AUTOS ONLY

Symbol 9 Non-Owned Autos Only – Employee Vehicle Coverage Definition

In plain language: Symbol 9 Non-Owned Autos Only refers to a type of car insurance coverage that applies to vehicles an insured entity or person does not own. Usually, it covers businesses when employees use their own cars for work-related tasks. 

Technical definition: In commercial auto insurance, the symbol 9 non-owned autos only designates coverage for autos that the insured does not own, lease, hire, or borrow but are used in connection with the named insured's business. It is commonly seen on the declarations page of a business auto policy (ISO form CA 00 01). 

Consider a scenario where an employee makes a delivery using their personal vehicle and gets involved in an accident. Without Symbol 9 on the business' commercial auto policy, this could lead to significant financial losses. 

TL;DR

Symbol 9 Non-Owned Autos Only covers businesses when employees are using their personal vehicles for work. 

Essential for agencies that have clients whose employees use personal vehicles for business matters. 

Common misunderstanding: Coverage does not apply to vehicles owned by the business. 

Quick Win: Always verify if Symbol 9 might be necessary when reviewing a commercial auto policy. 

What Is Symbol 9 Non-Owned Autos Only in Insurance?

In the list of covered auto symbols found in standard commercial auto insurance policies, Symbol 9 pertains to “non-owned autos only.” Unlike specifically described autos (auto symbol 7), this coverage applies to vehicles that the insured does not own, but are used for business. It is solely liability coverage and is commonly mistaken with auto symbol 5 - non-owned autos subject to no-fault. 

The use of auto designation symbols – like Symbol 9 – simplifies policies by broadly defining what autos are covered in different situations. 

Key Related Terms to Know

Auto Symbols List: An enumeration in the commercial auto coverage form detailing the types of autos coverages apply to, numbered 1-9 and beyond. 

Business Auto Policy Symbols: A list of symbols used in a business auto policy (BAP) which define what vehicles are covered. 

Hired Auto Physical Damage: This coverage can pay for physical damage to rental vehicles. 

Commercial Auto Symbols: A list of designation symbols used in commercial auto policies to define vehicular coverage. 

Coverage Symbol: A numerical symbol used in auto coverage forms to represent the types of vehicles covered under a specific portion of the policy. 

Common Questions About Symbol 9 Non-Owned Autos Only

What vehicles are covered under Symbol 9? 

Only vehicles that the business does not own but are used for work are covered. For example, an employee's personal car used for business errands. 

How does symbol 9 compare to auto symbol 10 commercial auto? 

Symbol 10 covers any autos, both owned and non-owned. Conversely, Symbol 9 covers only non-owned autos. 

What important distinctions should agencies be aware of? 

Agencies should be aware that Symbol 9 does not provide physical damage coverage for non-owned autos. It may need to be paired with 'hired auto physical damage' if the coverage is desired. 

Symbol 9 Non-Owned Autos Only vs. Auto Symbols List

Symbol 9 and the general auto symbols list differ in scope. Their core differences include:  

Real Claim Examples Involving Temporary Custodian

Scenario 1: A realtor uses their personal vehicle to show clients around town and hits a pedestrian. Symbol 9 coverage responded to the claim since the vehicle was used for business. 

Scenario 2: An employee using their own car for a company event causes an accident, injuring others. The employer was sued but their Symbol 9 coverage provided legal defense. 

Scenario 3: A business owner incorrectly assumed that Symbol 9 provides physical damage coverage to their employee's vehicle used on business trips. After an accident, no coverage was provided for the damage to the employee's car.

Limitations and Common Mistakes

Does not offer physical damage coverage for non-owned autos. 

Assumes it provides coverage to company vehicles (owned autos only). 

Misinterpretation of non-owned autos term, assuming it includes hired autos only. 

Overlooked with companies often forgetting to add them to their business auto coverage form. 

How To Explain Symbol 9 Non-Owned Autos Only To Clients

Personal Lines client "Symbol 9 is an important coverage in business policies. It protects a business when you or other employees use personal vehicles for work tasks." 

Small Business owner "As commercial auto coverage, Symbol 9 is important because it covers you when your employees use their own vehicles for business tasks." 

CFO or Risk Manager "Symbol 9, as part of your business auto policy, covers liability exposures when your employees use their vehicles for work. However, it doesn't cover physical damages to their cars."