CISR Personal Auto cheat sheet

The PAP is a package policy combining liability (Part A), medical payments/PIP (Part B), uninsured/underinsured motorists (Part C), and physical damage (Part D).

Eligible 'family auto' includes any private passenger auto, pickup, van, or trailer owned or leased by the named insured or a family member, plus newly acquired autos for a limited period.

A 'newly acquired auto' is covered automatically for 14 days if the insured already carries physical damage coverage on at least one auto; otherwise coverage applies only if added within 4 days for liability.

The PAP covers the named insured and resident spouse, family members related by blood, marriage, or adoption, and any person using a covered auto with permission.

Coverage territory is the US, its territories and possessions, Puerto Rico, and Canada; Mexico requires a separate endorsement or policy.

The PAP provides no coverage for vehicles used as public or livery conveyance, for racing, or for business use of pickup/van if not rated for business.

The declarations page identifies named insured, policy period, covered autos, limits, deductibles, and endorsements; it controls over general policy language.

Policy period begins at 12:01 a.m. standard time at the address shown in the declarations; cancellation and nonrenewal notice rules vary by state.

The PAP is a personal lines contract; business use of a covered auto may be excluded unless the vehicle is a private passenger auto, pickup, or van rated for business use.

Part A liability pays damages for bodily injury and property damage for which an insured becomes legally responsible because of an auto accident, up to the stated limits.

Liability limits are shown as split limits (e.g., 100/300/50) or a combined single limit; the first number is per-person BI, second per-accident BI, third PD.

Defense costs are paid in addition to liability limits; the insurer may settle any claim it deems appropriate.

Supplementary payments include up to $250 for bail bonds, premiums on appeal bonds, and post-judgment interest, all in addition to limits.

Exclusions include intentional damage, damage to property owned by or in the care of the insured, and use of a vehicle without a reasonable belief of permission.

A 'covered auto' includes any auto shown in the declarations, newly acquired autos, trailers, and temporary substitute autos.

The 'insured' for liability includes the named insured and family members for any auto, and any person using a covered auto with permission.

Liability coverage does not apply to non-owned autos used in a business or to vehicles furnished for regular use.

Bankruptcy or insolvency of the insured does not relieve the insurer of liability under Part A.

Part B Medical Payments pays reasonable and necessary medical and funeral expenses incurred within three years of the accident, regardless of fault.

Covered persons include the named insured, family members, and passengers in a covered auto; pedestrians struck by a covered auto are also covered.

Medical payments coverage is typically written with a per-person limit (e.g., $5,000) and may include a funeral expense sublimit.

PIP is a no-fault coverage required in some states; it pays medical expenses, lost wages, and essential services, often subject to a deductible or coordination with health insurance.

PIP benefits may be coordinated with health insurance or added as excess; the policy's PIP endorsement specifies priority and coordination.

Medical payments excludes expenses for injury sustained while occupying a vehicle used as a public or livery conveyance, or while working in a business of selling or repairing autos.

Exclusions also apply to injuries occurring during the commission of a felony or while occupying a non-owned vehicle without permission.

Medical payments coverage does not pay for expenses covered by workers' compensation or similar laws.

PIP may include a death benefit and rehabilitation expenses; state statutes set minimum required limits and benefit durations.

UM covers bodily injury caused by an uninsured motorist, a hit-and-run driver, or a driver whose insurer becomes insolvent.

UIM covers the difference between the at-fault driver's liability limit and the insured's UIM limit, when the at-fault limit is less than the insured's damages.

UM/UIM limits cannot exceed the policy's liability limits in most states; some states require UM to equal liability limits.

UM/UIM applies to the named insured and family members as pedestrians or while occupying any auto, and to others occupying a covered auto.

Coverage is reduced by amounts paid by or on behalf of the at-fault driver and by workers' compensation benefits.

Exclusions include injury sustained while occupying a vehicle owned by the insured but not covered by the policy, and use of a vehicle without permission.

UM/UIM does not apply to property damage in most states; some states offer UMPD as an optional endorsement.

Arbitration clauses resolve disputes over fault and damages when the insurer and insured disagree.

Stacking of UM/UIM limits across multiple vehicles is permitted in some states but prohibited or restricted in others.

Part D covers direct and accidental loss to a covered auto, including collision and other-than-collision (comprehensive) losses.

Collision covers impact with another vehicle or object; other-than-collision covers theft, fire, vandalism, hail, flood, and glass breakage.

Deductibles apply separately to collision and other-than-collision; the insured pays the deductible and the insurer pays the rest up to actual cash value or repair cost.

The policy pays the lesser of actual cash value or the cost to repair or replace with like kind and quality; betterment is not covered.

Loss of use and towing/labor may be included as supplementary coverage, often subject to a daily or total limit.

Exclusions include wear and tear, freezing, mechanical or electrical breakdown, and damage from radioactive contamination.

Coverage for electronic equipment (stereos, GPS) is limited unless permanently installed; custom equipment may need endorsement.

If the auto is a total loss, the insurer may pay actual cash value or replace it; the policy may include a total loss settlement provision.

The insured must notify police within 24 hours for theft losses and cooperate with the insurer's investigation.

The PAP extends liability, medical payments, UM/UIM, and physical damage coverage to a rented private passenger auto used temporarily in place of a covered auto.

Coverage for a rental car applies when the rental is a temporary substitute for a covered auto that is out of service due to breakdown, repair, or loss.

The PAP does not cover a rental car used for business purposes unless the policy is endorsed for business use.

Physical damage coverage for a rental applies only if the insured carries collision or other-than-collision on at least one owned auto.

The deductible on the PAP applies to damage to a rented vehicle; the rental company's loss damage waiver (LDW) may duplicate coverage.

The PAP may not cover administrative fees, diminished value, or loss of use charged by the rental company unless specifically endorsed.

Rental car coverage under the PAP is excess over any other collectible insurance, including the rental company's coverage.

A rented vehicle used while on vacation is generally covered if it is a private passenger auto and not used for hire.

The PAP does not cover a rental car outside the coverage territory (e.g., Mexico) without a separate endorsement.