CA 20 48: Designated Insured for Covered Autos Liability Coverage
Current Edition: 12 19 · Full ID: CA 20 48 12 19
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What Is CA 20 48?
This endorsement adds a specific person or organization as an insured on the commercial auto policy for liability coverage. The designated party gets the same liability protection as the named insured for covered autos, meaning the auto insurance will defend and pay claims on their behalf.
Technical Summary: CA 20 48 amends the Who Is An Insured provision of the Business Auto Coverage Form by adding designated persons or organizations as insureds for covered autos liability coverage. Unlike permissive-use coverage, the designated insured has standing as a named insured for liability purposes. Coverage is limited to liability arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of covered autos.
What CA 20 48 Covers
- +Adds designated entity as an insured for commercial auto liability coverage
- +Covers liability arising out of ownership, maintenance, or use of covered autos
- +Provides defense and indemnity to the designated insured for auto liability claims
- +Applies to all covered autos as defined in the Business Auto Coverage Form
What CA 20 48 Does NOT Cover
- -Does not extend physical damage (comp/collision) coverage to the designated insured
- -Does not apply to CGL or other liability lines; auto liability only
- -Does not cover the designated insured's own negligence unrelated to covered autos
- -Does not increase policy limits; the designated insured shares the existing limits
Key Provisions
- ●The designated insured is specifically named in the endorsement schedule
- ●Coverage is restricted to liability arising out of covered autos only
- ●The designated insured is subject to all policy terms, conditions, and exclusions
- ●The named insured's duties (notice of claim, cooperation) also apply to the designated insured
Edition History
- • Updated language to align with 10 13 Business Auto Coverage Form revisions
- • Clarified that coverage applies to liability arising out of covered autos
- • Formatting and language updates consistent with 12 19 commercial auto program
- • No substantive coverage changes from 10 13 edition
Common Mistakes & E&O Warnings
The primary E&O risk is when a contract requires additional insured status across all liability lines and the agency adds CG 20 10 for CGL but forgets CA 20 48 for commercial auto. The certificate holder believes they have full AI coverage but discovers the gap only after an auto liability claim. This is especially common when one CSR handles the CGL and a different CSR handles the auto policy.
- ⚠Believing that the CGL additional insured endorsement (CG 20 10) also covers auto liability
- ⚠Assuming permissive use under the auto policy provides the same protection as designated insured status
- ⚠Thinking CA 20 48 extends physical damage coverage to the designated insured
- ⚠Confusing CA 20 48 (Designated Insured) with CA 20 01 (Auto Dealers) or other CA 20 series endorsements
Frequently Asked Questions
What does CA 20 48 do?
CA 20 48 adds a specific person or organization as an insured under the commercial auto policy for liability coverage. The designated party receives defense and indemnity for claims arising from covered autos.
Is CA 20 48 the same as additional insured on a CGL policy?
No. CA 20 48 provides additional insured status on the commercial auto policy only. For CGL coverage, you need a separate endorsement such as CG 20 10 or CG 20 37.
Do I need CA 20 48 if I already have CG 20 10?
Yes, if the contract requires additional insured status across all liability lines. CG 20 10 covers CGL only. CA 20 48 is needed to extend AI status to commercial auto liability.
Does CA 20 48 cover physical damage to the designated insured's vehicles?
No. CA 20 48 applies to liability coverage only. It does not extend comprehensive or collision coverage to the designated insured's own vehicles.
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