Auto versus Mobile Equipment in the CGL
December 2002
Craig Stanovich helps with the challenge of
determining whether the business auto or commercial general liability policy
will apply to liability arising out of mobile equipment and autos.
by Craig
F. Stanovich
Austin &
Stanovich Risk Managers, LLC
As most commercial insurance practitioners know, the CGL policy is intended, in most cases, to provide liability coverage, with no additional charge, for bodily injury
and property damage arising out of the ownership, operation, maintenance or
use of mobile equipment. They also know that, in
most cases, liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage
arising out of the ownership, operation, maintenance, or use of an auto is excluded by the CGL. Autos are certainly supposed to be covered for liability by
a business auto, truckers, or motor carrier policy.
This article is intended to assist those who are confronted with the challenge
of distinguishing between mobile equipment and autos, including commentary on
why that distinction is crucial.
Autos versus Mobile Equipment—The Challenge
The first challenge is to figure out what is considered an "auto" and what
is considered "mobile equipment," a task that can reduce even an experienced
practitioner to incoherent muttering. The expression "chasing your tail" comes
to mind.
This is, of course, more than an academic exercise—you have a client on the
phone who is purchasing a "vehicle" and wants to know instantly if this item is to be added to
the auto policy or not. Life, or at least your errors and omissions (E&O) coverage,
hangs in the balance.
The second challenge is to understand the specific situations in which the
CGL and business auto policy both provide
liability coverage for the same item—and when each
applies.
The Definitions
There is some good news: the definitions of "auto" and "mobile equipment"
under the ISO CGL policy and the ISO business auto policy are virtually identical. If you can decipher
the definitions under one policy, you have deciphered the definitions under
the other.
The bad news is that the CGL definition of "mobile equipment" is more of
a listing of broadly described categories than a specific definition. While
some specific types of equipment are listed and thus clearly included in the
definition (i.e. bulldozer), the 251-word definition is sometimes vague and
a little intimidating.
A General Distinction
A general distinction may be helpful in understanding the conceptual difference between the two definitions.
- Vehicles "designed for travel on public roads" are "autos."
- Vehicles "designed for use principally off public roads" are "mobile
equipment."
While the above may serve as a guide, the numerous exceptions found in the
definitions render these distinctions far short of conclusive in the "auto"
versus "mobile equipment" challenge. Several other issues need be considered
to make the proper determination.
Motor Vehicle Registration. Unlike the pre-1986
CGL policy, motor vehicle registration or even eligibility for motor vehicle
registration is no longer relevant in whether
a vehicle is an "auto" or "mobile equipment." In other words, registering a
vehicle under a motor vehicle registration law does not change the vehicle from
"mobile equipment" to an "auto." If you have been in a line of 35 cars crawling
along a public way behind a backhoe that is traveling 12 miles per hour in a
50-miles-per-hour zone (causing you to be embarrassingly late for an appointment),
you may have noticed that the backhoe does have motor vehicle tags or plates.
Nonetheless, the backhoe is still "mobile equipment."
If the owner of this backhoe is your client and the state in which the backhoe
is registered requires auto liability insurance for the backhoe, then you also must endorse
the business auto policy with the mobile equipment endorsement (CA 20 15). The
mobile equipment endorsement specifically states that the backhoe (which is
listed on the endorsement) is considered an "auto" and not "mobile equipment."
However, any bodily injury or property damage resulting
from the operation of any machinery attached to the backhoe (such as
the digging with the bucket) is excluded by the business auto policy. Without this endorsement to the business auto policy,
the backhoe would not be a "covered auto," regardless of the symbols that apply
as the backhoe is not an "auto."
The CGL continues to provide liability coverage for the backhoe, despite being listed on the business auto policy,
for any ownership, operation, maintenance
or use of the backhoe. After all, the backhoe is still "mobile equipment." The
CGL will be excess over the business auto policy to the extent the business
auto policy provides liability coverage for the backhoe as a "covered auto."
Inland Marine Coverage. Is a vehicle covered
by an inland marine policy "mobile equipment?" While it may be in some circumstances,
this is not a completely reliable measure of what the CGL considers to be "mobile
equipment." Although the NAIC nationwide marine definition excludes "motor vehicles
designed for highway use," all states do not follow this model definition. For
example, New York insurance regulations state that "marine and inland marine
insurance ... means insurance against loss or damage to ... cars, automobiles,
trailers and vehicles of every kind." Therefore, while it may be helpful as
guidance, do not rely solely on how damage to the vehicle is insured to determine
whether it is "mobile equipment" or "auto."
The Definition of Mobile Equipment—A Closer Look
The CGL definition of "mobile equipment" is any type of land vehicle, including its attached machinery and equipment,
which meets the requirements of one or more of the six paragraphs (a. through
f.) that follow.
The Concept—Paragraph a.
This paragraph, which begins by listing specific types of equipment (bulldozers,
farm machinery, and forklifts) is significant in that it shapes the CGL’s approach
to "mobile equipment." By including "other vehicles designed for use principally
off public roads," the definition begins with a very expansive description.
The paragraphs that follow either add to or refine this concept.
Whether a vehicle is actually used on
public roads is not the gauge here—the determining factor is the vehicle’s design. To be "mobile equipment," the vehicle
must be intended by the manufacturer to be used mostly off public streets and roads.
Autos That Are Mobile Equipment—Paragraph b.
Vehicles that are designed for use on public
roads, such as pickup trucks, vans, dump trucks, etc. are "mobile equipment" if the vehicles are "maintained for use
solely on the premises you own or rent." How paragraph b. applies may be illustrated
with an example of a trucking company who owns an old tractor they keep and
use only for moving trailers around on the trucking company’s premises.
"Maintained for use solely on the premises you own or rent" would not include an auto taken off the
road due to the seasonal nature of a business, as the vehicle is not "maintained"—or
continued to be kept in existence solely for use on the insured’s premises.
In the case of seasonal use, the vehicle is being maintained or kept for use
away from the premises and thus is not exclusively for use on the premises. Liability coverage for a seasonal vehicle that is "off
the road" needs to be included on the business auto policy by including the
appropriate coverage symbol (such as Symbol 2—Owned Autos).
On the other hand, "maintained for use" would
include the tractor in the previous example even if the tractor is being
operated on a public roadway—such as when
driving the tractor to have it serviced, repaired, or to obtain motor fuel.
In short, "maintained for use" is not identical to "use."
The Tank—Paragraph c.
Vehicles that move on crawler treads are considered "mobile equipment." For
example, when Michael Dukakis test drove a tank during his presidential campaign,
it would have been considered "mobile equipment." I am not sure if it would
have helped had Mr. Dukakis known that, but it is interesting to note that the
CGL has specifically listed this category, even though most, if not all, vehicles
that travel on crawler treads would be considered "vehicles designed for use
principally off public roads."
Heavy Equipment—Paragraph d.
Any vehicles with permanently attached cranes, shovels, loaders,
diggers, or drills are considered "mobile equipment" providing the vehicle affords mobility to
the equipment. Further, equipment used for constructing or resurfacing roads
is also "mobile equipment." Specifically listed are road graders, road scrapers,
and steam rollers. Paragraph d. applies whether
or not the equipment is able to move under its own power.
To view examples of this type of equipment, find a major traffic jam on any
highway in America, look for the cones or barriers reducing traffic to one lane,
look beyond the flashing caution lights and you will see plenty of examples
of this equipment.
None of the Above—Paragraph e.
Vehicles that afford mobility to specifically listed permanently attached equipment and which cannot move under their own power are also
considered "mobile equipment." The listed equipment is the following.
- Air compressors
- Pumps
- Generators
- Spraying equipment
- Welding equipment
- Building cleaning equipment (power washers)
- Geophysical exploration equipment (geophysics deals with the physical
properties of the Earth)
- Lighting equipment
- Well servicing equipment
- Cherry pickers or similar devices used to raise or lower workers
If none of the above falls within the first four paragraphs, paragraph e.
acts as a catchall by adding specific items that are not capable of moving under
their own power and which are to be considered "mobile equipment."
A Bit More Complex—Paragraph f.
To fully meet the challenges of determining "mobile equipment" versus "auto"
and deciding which coverage applies, this part of the definition requires considerable
attention.
This section begins with a catchall. If a vehicle is not already described
in the first four paragraphs, a vehicle that exists predominantly for use not involving the transportation of persons
or cargo, that vehicle is considered "mobile equipment."
If a vehicle is permanently fitted with equipment designed chiefly for snow
removal, road maintenance and street cleaning, and capable of moving under its
own power, it is an "auto" and not "mobile equipment."
Snow Removal and Street Maintenance and Cleaning. Subparagraph f. (1) lists equipment that is designed primarily for:
- Snow removal
- Road maintenance (but not road construction or resurfacing equipment—paragraph
d. expressly includes as "mobile equipment" such equipment)
- Street cleaning
Once again, the idea of "design" is governing. In times of heavy snow in
particular, it is not unusual for real estate owners and municipalities to use
front end loaders to remove snow. As front end loaders can be used for snow
removal, but are not principally designed for snow removal, such vehicles remain "mobile equipment." However, sidewalk
snow plows would fit squarely into this definition and are therefore "autos."
Any vehicle with permanently attached equipment designed primarily to maintain roads is an "auto." The distinction
between road construction and resurfacing and road maintenance is very important
but may be a challenge to determine. Here is where a good relationship with
your local Department of Public Works may be helpful. Vehicles with permanently
attached salting and sanding equipment would likely be considered road maintenance
equipment and thus an "auto."
Likewise, any type of street cleaning equipment, such as street sweepers,
are clearly considered "autos" and are not covered by the CGL for any liability arising out of their use. Don’t let it
throw you that such equipment may be covered for damage by an inland marine
policy—the vehicles are "autos."
Vehicles described by the f. (1) categories must be added to the business
auto policy for liability coverage. As the business auto policy definition of
"mobile equipment" and "auto" is identical to the definition included within
the CGL policy, such vehicles are also considered "autos" under the business
auto policy.
Workers Rise Up. Vehicles with equipment permanently
mounted on autos or truck chassis that are used to raise or lower workers are
considered autos. Cherry pickers or bucket trucks are examples that qualify
under paragraph f. (2).
Equipment that is used to raise and lower workers that is not mounted on an auto or truck chassis,
but is self-propelled, does not fit within section f. (2). For instance, a motorized
scaffold used by workers to change indoor ceiling lights would not be considered
an "auto," but would be considered "mobile equipment."
If It Can Move by Itself. With the exception
of cherry pickers, paragraph f. (3) repeats exactly the equipment listed in
paragraph e.—and considers such equipment "autos" if the equipment is permanently
attached to a vehicle that is self-propelled. The following are considered "autos"
if they can move under their own power:
- Air compressors
- Pumps
- Generators
- Spraying equipment
- Welding equipment
- Building cleaning equipment
- Geophysical exploration equipment
- Lighting equipment
- Well servicing equipment
When an Owned Auto is Covered by the CGL
Owned autos are simply not covered for by the CGL, except for here.
The aircraft, auto or watercraft exclusion (exclusion g.) of the CGL does
have a very important exception—it does not apply to bodily injury or property
damage arising out of the operation of any
equipment listed in paragraph f.(2) and f.(3) above.
In short, vehicles expressly described as "autos" are covered by the CGL,
but only for liability arising out of their "operation."
The intent is to provide bodily injury or property damage coverage under
the CGL policy if the injury or damage results from the use of the permanently attached equipment,
but not if the injury or damage results while moving
or traveling in the vehicle. Over-the-road accidents that result in bodily
injury or property damage are not covered by the CGL for "autos," and therefore
liability coverage should be included on the business auto policy.
Covered by the CGL. While in a truck-mounted
cherry picker, a worker trimming tree branches carelessly allows a limb to fall
on a passing auto, causing damage to the auto and injury to a passenger. Both
the property damage and bodily injury caused by the limb falling are covered
by the CGL as they arise out of the "operation" of the cherry picker. The business
auto policy has a corresponding exclusion for the "operation" of this same "auto," (remember, the definition of "mobile
equipment" is exactly same in the business auto policy and the CGL policy) and
therefore the business auto policy does not provide coverage.
Not Covered by the CGL. After lowering and
securing the bucket, the worker climbs into the truck cab and drives to the
next job site which is located two towns away. In route to the new job site,
the worker is talking on his cell phone when he accidentally hits a car that
had stopped in front of him. The damage to the other auto and injury to the
driver of the other auto is not covered by the
CGL as the bodily injury and property damage did not arise out the operation
of equipment listed in f.(2) or f.(3).
Thus, the self-propelled vehicles described in f. (2) and f.(3) are, in fact,
"autos," but are nonetheless covered by the CGL provided the bodily injury or
property damage arises out of the "operation" of the permanently attached equipment.
These same vehicles must also be included
for liability coverage on the business auto policy, as bodily injury or property
damage arising out of any other use of these
"autos" (except "operations") is excluded by the CGL.
In sum, either the business auto policy or CGL policy will apply to liability
arising out of these specifically described autos, depending upon the use of
the vehicle when the injury or damage occurred.
See Auto
versus Mobile Equipment in the 2004 CGL—An Update, October 2005.
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