Commercial Auto Symbols: Complete Guide to Symbols 1–9 and 19

If you own a business vehicle or use cars, trucks, vans, rentals, or employee-owned vehicles for business purposes, you may have seen numbers such as 1, 2, 7, 8, or 9 on your commercial auto insurance declarations page. These numbers are called commercial auto symbols or covered auto designation symbols.

Commercial auto symbols tell you which category of vehicles a particular coverage applies to. A business auto policy can use different symbols for liability, physical damage, medical payments, uninsured motorist coverage, and other coverages. Therefore, the symbol shown next to one coverage does not necessarily describe every vehicle covered by the entire policy.

The most important symbols to understand are 1 through 9 and 19. Symbol 1 generally provides the broadest vehicle designation, while symbols such as 7, 8, and 9 define much narrower categories.

This guide explains every standard commercial auto symbol, provides real-world examples, compares commonly confused symbols, and shows how to determine which symbol applies to your business.

What Are Commercial Auto Symbols?

Commercial auto symbols are numerical designations used in a Business Auto Coverage Form to identify the types of autos that qualify for a specific coverage.

You will typically find them on the declarations page beside individual coverages. For example, a policy could show one symbol for liability and another symbol for physical damage. The selected symbol determines the category of vehicles to which that particular coverage applies.

Think of a commercial auto symbol as a coverage key.

If your declarations page shows:

• Liability — Symbol 1
• Comprehensive — Symbol 7
• Collision — Symbol 7
• Hired Auto — Symbol 8
• Non-Owned Auto — Symbol 9

you should read each coverage separately rather than assuming Symbol 1 applies to everything.

Why Are Commercial Auto Symbols Important?

A business can use several types of vehicles:

• Vehicles owned by the company
• Employee-owned personal vehicles
• Rental cars
• Leased vehicles
• Borrowed vehicles
• Delivery trucks
• Passenger cars
• Vans
• Specialized equipment

The commercial auto symbol determines which of these vehicle categories qualify for the applicable coverage. Using the wrong symbol can create a coverage gap.

Commercial Auto Symbols 1–9 and 19 Chart

Here is a quick commercial auto symbols cheat sheet:

Symbols 1–9 have standardized meanings in the Business Auto Coverage Form, while Symbol 19 addresses certain mobile equipment that becomes subject to applicable motor vehicle insurance requirements.

Commercial Auto Symbol 1: Any Auto

Symbol 1 means “Any Auto.”

It is generally the broadest covered-auto designation in the standard Business Auto Coverage Form. It can extend the applicable coverage beyond vehicles the business owns to other qualifying categories of autos.

Example of Symbol 1

Imagine a construction company that:

• Owns pickup trucks
• Rents a box truck occasionally
• Uses a leased van
• Has employees who sometimes use personal vehicles for business

If the applicable liability coverage uses Symbol 1, the covered-auto designation is broadly written rather than being restricted only to owned or scheduled vehicles.

However, Symbol 1 does not mean that every type of coverage automatically applies to every vehicle. You must look at the symbol assigned to each individual coverage.

Is Symbol 1 the Best Symbol?

Not automatically.

Symbol 1 is broad, but broader coverage can have underwriting and pricing implications. A business should select coverage based on its actual operations and insurance requirements rather than simply choosing the largest symbol.

Commercial Auto Symbol 2: Owned Autos Only

Symbol 2 means “Owned Autos Only.”

It generally applies to autos owned by the insured and can include qualifying autos acquired after the policy begins. The standard wording can also address certain trailers attached to owned power units.

Example of Symbol 2

Suppose a landscaping company owns:

• Three pickup trucks
• Two work vans
• One small delivery truck

If the applicable coverage uses Symbol 2, the designation is focused on the company’s owned autos.

When Is Symbol 2 Useful?

Symbol 2 can make sense for businesses whose exposure primarily comes from vehicles they own.

However, if the business also rents vehicles or has employees regularly using personal vehicles for work, additional consideration may be needed for hired and non-owned auto exposures.

Commercial Auto Symbol 3: Owned Private Passenger Autos Only

Symbol 3 means “Owned Private Passenger Autos Only.”

It is narrower than Symbol 2 because it applies only to qualifying private passenger autos owned by the business.

Example of Symbol 3

A company owns several passenger cars that are used by sales representatives to visit customers.

Symbol 3 may apply when the coverage is intended specifically for those owned private passenger autos.

It would not generally be the appropriate designation for a business fleet consisting primarily of commercial trucks.

Commercial Auto Symbol 4: Owned Autos Other Than Private Passenger Autos

Symbol 4 means “Owned Autos Other Than Private Passenger Autos Only.”

It is designed for owned vehicles that do not fall into the private passenger auto category.

Examples may include qualifying:

• Pickup trucks
• Commercial vans
• Delivery vehicles
• Work trucks

Example of Symbol 4

A plumbing company owns five service trucks and does not operate a fleet of private passenger cars.

Symbol 4 can be relevant when the coverage is intended for those owned commercial-type autos.

Symbol 3 vs. Symbol 4

The simplest way to remember the difference is:

Symbol 3 = owned private passenger autos

Symbol 4 = owned autos other than private passenger autos

This distinction is particularly useful for businesses with mixed vehicle fleets.

Commercial Auto Symbol 5: Owned Autos Subject to No-Fault

Symbol 5 applies to owned autos subject to applicable no-fault laws.

It is a more specialized designation than Symbols 1, 2, or 7 and is connected to statutory requirements in jurisdictions with applicable no-fault systems.

Example of Symbol 5

A business owns vehicles that are licensed or principally garaged in a jurisdiction where applicable no-fault requirements apply.

The symbol can be used for the relevant coverage where those statutory conditions are met.

Because no-fault requirements vary by jurisdiction, businesses should not rely on the symbol alone when determining their legal insurance obligations.

Commercial Auto Symbol 6: Owned Autos Subject to Compulsory Uninsured Motorist Law

Symbol 6 applies to owned autos subject to a compulsory uninsured motorist law.

This symbol addresses situations where applicable law requires uninsured motorist coverage for certain owned autos.

Example of Symbol 6

Suppose a company operates vehicles in a jurisdiction where uninsured motorist coverage is compulsory.

Symbol 6 may be relevant to the coverage that responds to that legal requirement.

Symbol 5 vs. Symbol 6

The distinction is straightforward:

• Symbol 5: Connected with applicable no-fault requirements
• Symbol 6: Connected with compulsory uninsured motorist requirements

These symbols are more specialized than the commonly encountered Symbols 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9.

Commercial Auto Symbol 7: Specifically Described Autos

Symbol 7 means “Specifically Described Autos.”

This designation is more restrictive because coverage applies to autos specifically described in the applicable policy schedule or declarations.

Example of Symbol 7

A delivery company owns:

• Truck A
• Truck B
• Truck C

The company lists these vehicles on its commercial auto policy.

If a coverage uses Symbol 7, the business should pay close attention to the vehicles specifically described in the policy.

Why Symbol 7 Matters

Symbol 7 can work well when a business wants to schedule individual vehicles.

The tradeoff is that the business must maintain accurate vehicle information.

If the company:

• Buys a new truck
• Sells an old truck
• Replaces a vehicle
• Adds another van

it should promptly review the policy and applicable reporting requirements.

Symbol 7 vs. Symbol 2

This is one of the most important comparisons.

Symbol 2 generally describes owned autos broadly.

Symbol 7 focuses on specifically described autos.

Therefore, a business with a changing fleet should not assume Symbol 7 automatically gives the same flexibility as Symbol 2.

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Commercial Auto Symbol 8: Hired Autos Only

Symbol 8 means “Hired Autos Only.”

It generally applies to autos the business leases, hires, rents, or borrows, subject to the policy’s specific definition and exclusions.

Examples of Hired Autos

A business might:

• Rent a truck for a week
• Lease a vehicle
• Borrow a vehicle for business purposes
• Rent a passenger car for a business trip

These situations can create hired-auto exposure.

Important Symbol 8 Limitation

The standard wording has an important exception: vehicles leased, hired, rented, or borrowed from certain employees, partners, LLC members, or members of their households may be treated differently.

That is one reason businesses should read the actual policy definition rather than assuming that every borrowed vehicle automatically qualifies as a hired auto.

Commercial Auto Symbol 9: Non-Owned Autos Only

Symbol 9 means “Non-Owned Autos Only.”

It generally applies to autos the business does not own, lease, hire, rent, or borrow but that are used in connection with its business.

Example of Symbol 9

An employee uses their personal car to:

• Visit a customer
• Pick up business supplies
• Deliver documents
• Visit a bank
• Attend a business meeting

The company does not own the employee’s car, but the vehicle is being used for business.

This is a classic example of a non-owned auto exposure.

Does Symbol 9 Insure the Employee’s Vehicle?

Generally, no.

Non-owned auto coverage is primarily concerned with the business’s liability exposure arising from qualifying business use. It does not automatically provide physical damage insurance for the employee’s personal vehicle.

The employee’s own personal auto policy may be relevant to damage to that vehicle, subject to its terms.

Commercial Auto Symbol 19: Mobile Equipment

Symbol 19 addresses certain mobile equipment subject to compulsory, financial responsibility, or other motor vehicle insurance laws.

The concept is important because some equipment may ordinarily fall within a policy’s mobile equipment definition but can become subject to motor vehicle insurance requirements because of the law where it is licensed or principally garaged.

Example of Symbol 19

Consider a contractor using specialized self-propelled equipment.

Normally, the equipment may be treated as mobile equipment rather than an auto. But if applicable law requires the vehicle to be registered or insured as a motor vehicle, Symbol 19 can become relevant.

Because this area depends heavily on the equipment, policy language, and applicable law, it is important to check the actual policy rather than relying on a general example.

Commercial Auto Symbols for Liability Coverage

Commercial auto symbols are particularly important for liability coverage because they determine which vehicles qualify as covered autos for that coverage.

Common examples include:

• Symbol 1: Any auto
• Symbol 2: Owned autos
• Symbol 7: Specifically described autos
• Symbol 8: Hired autos
• Symbol 9: Non-owned autos

A business should match the symbol to its actual vehicle exposures.

Why Liability Symbols Matter

Imagine a company has Symbol 7 for liability but regularly rents trucks that are not included in the described autos.

The company should not automatically assume the rental truck receives the same liability coverage.

That is exactly why checking the declarations page before a loss occurs is so important.

Commercial Auto Symbols for Physical Damage Coverage

Physical damage coverage is different from liability coverage.

Physical damage coverage can include protection such as:

• Collision
• Comprehensive or other-than-collision coverage

The symbol assigned to the physical damage coverage determines which autos qualify for that particular protection, subject to the policy terms, conditions, exclusions, and deductibles.

For example, a business could have a broad liability designation while using a more specific designation for physical damage.

This means:

Never assume that the liability symbol automatically applies to physical damage.

Always examine the symbol shown beside the specific coverage you are trying to understand.

Which Commercial Auto Symbol Is Best for Liability?

There is no single symbol that is best for every business.

A company that owns a large fleet may have different needs from a company with no owned vehicles but frequent employee business driving.

Businesses With Owned Vehicles

Businesses that primarily operate company-owned vehicles may consider coverage based on owned-auto designations such as Symbol 2, depending on the policy structure.

Businesses With Scheduled Vehicles

Businesses that want to specifically identify vehicles may use Symbol 7 for applicable coverage.

Businesses That Rent Vehicles

Businesses with significant rental or leased vehicle exposure should pay particular attention to Symbol 8 and the applicable hired-auto provisions.

Businesses With Employee-Owned Vehicles

Businesses whose employees regularly use personal vehicles for work should evaluate Symbol 9 and other applicable non-owned auto arrangements.

Businesses With Broad Auto Exposure

Businesses with complex operations may use Symbol 1 for certain coverages where broad auto liability protection is appropriate.

The correct choice depends on the business’s operations, underwriting requirements, policy form, endorsements, and applicable law.

Symbol 1 vs. Symbol 2 vs. Symbol 7

These three symbols are frequently confused.

The key takeaway is:

1 = Any

2 = Owned

7 = Specifically described

This simple distinction can help when reading a commercial auto declarations page.

Symbol 8 vs. Symbol 9

Symbols 8 and 9 are another common source of confusion.

Symbol 8: Hired Auto

The business hires, rents, leases, or borrows the vehicle, subject to the policy’s definition.

Example: A company rents a van from a rental company.

Symbol 9: Non-Owned Auto

The business does not own, hire, rent, lease, or borrow the vehicle, but the vehicle is used for business.

Example: An employee uses their personal car to deliver company documents.

Easy Way to Remember

8 = Hired

9 = Non-Owned

Together, these symbols are often associated with hired and non-owned auto exposures. However, their exact operation depends on the policy language and applicable endorsements.

Do Symbols 8 and 9 Provide Physical Damage Coverage?

Do not assume they do.

Hired and non-owned auto coverage is commonly used to address liability exposure, not automatically to insure physical damage to the hired or non-owned vehicle.

For example, if a business rents a vehicle and damages the rental vehicle, the business may need separate physical damage arrangements, depending on its commercial auto policy, hired-auto physical damage coverage, rental agreement, and other applicable insurance.

This is an important distinction:

Liability coverage protects against covered legal liability to others.

Physical damage coverage addresses damage to the covered vehicle, subject to policy terms.

Commercial Auto Symbols and Newly Acquired Autos

Newly acquired vehicles are particularly important for businesses using Symbols 2, 3, and 4.

Standard Business Auto Coverage Form wording can extend certain owned-auto designations to autos acquired after the policy begins, subject to the form’s conditions and notice requirements.

However, businesses should not treat this as a reason to delay notifying their insurer.

When purchasing a new vehicle, contact the insurer or agent promptly and confirm:

1. Whether coverage applies immediately
2. How long the automatic coverage period lasts
3. What notice is required
4. Whether the vehicle needs to be added to the schedule
5. Whether physical damage coverage applies
6. What deductible applies
7. Whether financing or leasing requirements affect the coverage

The exact answer depends on the policy form and endorsements.

Commercial Auto Symbols and Endorsements

Commercial auto symbols do not always tell the entire story.

Insurance companies can use endorsements to modify, expand, restrict, or otherwise change coverage.

Some policies can also use customized covered-auto designations through endorsements. IRMI notes that custom symbols can be created through the Covered Autos Designation Symbol endorsement.

Therefore, when reviewing a commercial auto policy, look at:

• Declarations
• Coverage form
• Definitions
• Endorsements
• Exclusions
• Conditions
• State-specific requirements

A symbol should always be interpreted together with the actual policy wording.

Commercial Auto Symbols and Mixed Fleets

Many businesses do not have only one type of vehicle.

For example, a company could have:

• Five company-owned trucks
• Two company-owned passenger cars
• Occasional rental vehicles
• Employees using personal vehicles

This is a mixed fleet.

A business with a mixed fleet needs to make sure each relevant exposure is addressed.

For example:

This is not a recommendation to select those symbols automatically. It is a starting point for identifying which coverage categories should be discussed with an insurance professional.

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Real-World Commercial Auto Symbol Examples

Example 1: Construction Company

A construction company owns:

• Pickup trucks
• Work vans
• Trailers

It should review the symbols applying to its owned autos and determine whether hired and non-owned exposures also exist.

If employees occasionally rent vehicles for company business, Symbol 8 may become relevant.

If employees use personal vehicles for company errands, Symbol 9 may also need to be considered.

Example 2: Delivery Business

A delivery company owns several delivery trucks and occasionally rents additional vehicles during busy seasons.

The business has two separate exposures:

• Owned vehicles
• Hired vehicles

The business should verify that the applicable liability and physical damage coverages address both exposures appropriately.

Example 3: Consulting Company

A consulting firm owns no vehicles.

Instead, employees use their personal vehicles to visit clients.

The company may have a significant non-owned auto exposure, making Symbol 9 an important topic to discuss with its insurance professional.

Example 4: Business With a Scheduled Fleet

A company owns 10 vehicles and wants each vehicle specifically identified on its policy.

Symbol 7 may be relevant for applicable coverage.

However, the company should maintain accurate schedules and report changes according to the policy requirements.

Common Commercial Auto Symbol Mistakes

Mistake 1: Assuming the Whole Policy Uses One Symbol

A commercial auto policy can use different symbols for different coverages.

Always check each coverage line.

Mistake 2: Confusing Symbol 8 With Symbol 9

A rental vehicle and an employee’s personal vehicle are not automatically treated the same way.

Remember:

8 = Hired

9 = Non-Owned

Mistake 3: Assuming Symbol 7 Covers Every Vehicle the Business Owns

Symbol 7 is specifically described auto coverage.

Do not assume an unscheduled vehicle receives the same treatment.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Employee-Owned Vehicles

Businesses sometimes focus only on their company fleet and forget that employees may use personal vehicles for work.

That can create a non-owned auto exposure.

Mistake 5: Assuming Liability Means Physical Damage

Liability coverage and physical damage coverage serve different purposes.

The symbols assigned to them may also be different.

Mistake 6: Forgetting Newly Acquired Vehicles

Buying a new truck or van should trigger an immediate policy review.

Do not assume the vehicle is permanently covered simply because another owned vehicle is already insured.

Mistake 7: Ignoring Endorsements

An endorsement can modify the meaning or scope of coverage.

The declarations page should be read together with the actual policy and endorsements.

Mistake 8: Assuming Every Insurer Uses Identical Forms

The standard ISO framework is widely used, but insurers may use their own forms or endorsements.

Always check the actual policy issued to the business.

How to Check Your Commercial Auto Symbols

If you already have commercial auto insurance, you can usually identify your symbols by following these steps.

Step 1: Find Your Declarations Page

Locate the declarations page provided by your insurer.

Step 2: Find the Coverage Section

Look for sections such as:

• Liability
• Medical payments
• Uninsured/underinsured motorists
• Comprehensive
• Collision
• Other applicable coverage

Step 3: Identify the Symbol

A number should appear beside the applicable coverage.

Step 4: Match the Number to Its Definition

Use the policy’s symbol definitions rather than relying only on a generic online chart.

Step 5: Compare It With Your Business

Ask:

• Do we own the vehicles?
• Do we rent vehicles?
• Do employees use personal cars?
• Are our vehicles specifically listed?
• Have we recently acquired a vehicle?
• Do we operate specialized equipment?
• Do we operate in multiple states?

Step 6: Review Endorsements

Check whether an endorsement changes the standard coverage.

Step 7: Ask Your Insurance Professional

If the symbol does not appear to match your business operations, ask your insurer or licensed insurance professional to explain the coverage.

Which Commercial Auto Symbol Do I Need?

The answer depends on what vehicles your business uses and what coverage you are purchasing.

A simplified guide is:

• Need broad auto liability? Ask about Symbol 1.
• Own business vehicles? Review Symbol 2.
• Own private passenger vehicles? Review Symbol 3.
• Own commercial vehicles other than private passenger autos? Review Symbol 4.
• Need coverage connected to no-fault requirements? Review Symbol 5.
• Need coverage connected to compulsory uninsured motorist requirements? Review Symbol 6.
• Want specifically scheduled vehicles? Review Symbol 7.
• Rent or hire vehicles? Review Symbol 8.
• Employees use personal vehicles for business? Review Symbol 9.
• Operate mobile equipment subject to motor vehicle laws? Review Symbol 19.

This is a general guide, not a recommendation to select a particular symbol. Your insurer determines the actual policy wording and coverage.

Commercial Auto Symbols Frequently Asked Questions

What are commercial auto symbols?

Commercial auto symbols are numbers used to identify which categories of vehicles are covered by a particular commercial auto coverage.

How many commercial auto symbols are there?

The standard Business Auto Coverage Form uses symbols 1 through 9 and 19. Other customized symbols can also be created through endorsements.

What is commercial auto symbol 1?

Symbol 1 means Any Auto and is generally the broadest standard covered-auto designation.

What is commercial auto symbol 2?

Symbol 2 means Owned Autos Only and generally applies to qualifying autos owned by the insured.

What is commercial auto symbol 7?

Symbol 7 means Specifically Described Autos. It generally applies to autos specifically described in the policy.

What is commercial auto symbol 8?

Symbol 8 means Hired Autos Only and generally applies to qualifying autos the business leases, hires, rents, or borrows.

What is commercial auto symbol 9?

Symbol 9 means Non-Owned Autos Only and generally applies to qualifying autos the business does not own but uses in connection with its business.

What is the difference between Symbol 8 and Symbol 9?

Symbol 8 generally applies to hired autos, while Symbol 9 generally applies to non-owned autos.

A rental car is a common hired-auto example. An employee’s personal car used for business is a common non-owned-auto example.

Is Symbol 1 better than Symbol 7?

Symbol 1 is broader, but that does not automatically make it better for every business. The correct designation depends on the company’s operations, coverage requirements, insurer, and policy terms.

Does Symbol 7 cover newly purchased vehicles?

Symbol 7 is tied to specifically described autos, so businesses should not assume that a newly purchased vehicle automatically receives the same treatment. Review the policy’s newly acquired auto provisions and contact the insurer promptly.

Does Symbol 9 cover an employee’s personal vehicle?

It can address the business’s qualifying liability exposure when an employee-owned vehicle is used for business, subject to the policy’s terms. It does not automatically mean the employee’s vehicle itself has physical damage coverage under the business policy.

Are commercial auto symbols the same for every insurance company?

Not necessarily. The standard ISO Business Auto Coverage Form provides standardized symbol definitions, but insurers can use different forms and endorsements. Always read the actual policy.

Where are commercial auto symbols found?

They are typically shown on the commercial auto declarations page, next to the applicable coverage.

Commercial Auto Symbols Quick Reference

For a quick memory aid:

1 — Any Auto

2 — Owned Autos Only

3 — Owned Private Passenger Autos Only

4 — Owned Autos Other Than Private Passenger Autos

5 — Owned Autos Subject to No-Fault

6 — Owned Autos Subject to Compulsory Uninsured Motorist Law

7 — Specifically Described Autos

8 — Hired Autos Only

9 — Non-Owned Autos Only

19 — Certain Mobile Equipment Subject to Motor Vehicle Insurance Law

The exact wording should always be confirmed against the policy form issued by your insurer.

Final Takeaway

Commercial auto symbols are one of the most important parts of understanding a Business Auto Coverage Form because they determine which categories of vehicles qualify for particular coverages.

The easiest symbols to remember are:

• 1 = Any Auto
• 2 = Owned Autos
• 7 = Specifically Described Autos
• 8 = Hired Autos
• 9 = Non-Owned Autos

Symbols 3, 4, 5, 6, and 19 address more specific vehicle or statutory situations.

The most important point is that there is no single symbol that automatically describes your entire commercial auto policy. Different coverages can have different symbols, and endorsements can modify the standard wording.

If you are reviewing a commercial auto policy, start with the declarations page, identify the symbol beside each coverage, compare those symbols with the vehicles your business actually owns or uses, and then review the policy definitions and endorsements.

For questions involving an actual claim, legal requirement, or coverage dispute, rely on the specific policy language and guidance from a qualified insurance professional or attorney rather than a general online explanation.

Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only. Commercial auto coverage varies by insurer, policy form, endorsements, and jurisdiction. It is not insurance, legal, or financial advice.

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Charlotte Hayes

Hi, I’m Charlotte Hayes. I love writing about the newest English slang, pop culture phrases, and digital communication. I spend my time exploring how language evolves across social media, gaming, and everyday conversations. I enjoy sharing easy-to-understand guides that help learners keep up with modern English. My goal is to make every article useful, accurate, and enjoyable for readers around the world.

Books:

• Everyday Slang Dictionary
• Fluent Through Informal English