CA 20 48: Designated Insured for Covered Autos Explained

CA 20 48 identifies a scheduled person or organization as an insured for covered autos liability, but only to the extent that party already qualifies under the coverage form's Who Is An Insured provision. The 10 13 endorsement expressly says it does not alter the coverage provided by the form.^[1]

That limiting language is crucial. CA 20 48 is often requested as an automobile additional insured endorsement, but it is not an unlimited grant of coverage for every act of the scheduled party.

The 02 99 edition is titled Designated Insured. The 10 13 edition uses the longer title Designated Insured for Covered Autos Liability Coverage.

What does CA 20 48 do?

The endorsement provides a clear scheduled identification of persons or organizations that qualify as insureds for covered autos liability. A public City of Placentia contract record includes the 10 13 form and its qualification language.^[1]

The relevant coverage forms can include the Business Auto, Motor Carrier, and Auto Dealers forms, depending on edition. The designated party remains subject to the same limits, covered-auto symbols, exclusions, and conditions. Adding a name does not make an uncovered auto covered or increase the liability limit.

Why is it not a broad additional insured grant?

CA 20 48 points back to Who Is An Insured instead of supplying a new independent basis for insured status. Whether the designated party qualifies can depend on its relationship to the named insured and liability for conduct involving a covered auto.

This also means the endorsement does not cover the designated organization's unrelated negligence or its own automobile operations merely because it is scheduled. The current facts and the underlying coverage form must support insured status.

What else might a contract require?

A contract may separately demand primary and noncontributory coverage, waiver of subrogation, a specific combined single limit, and coverage for owned, hired, and non-owned autos. Those requirements are not satisfied by CA 20 48 alone. New York procurement guidance lists CA 20 48 as a designated-insured form, while treating other insurance requirements separately.^[2]

Government contracts frequently request the endorsement in addition to a certificate. Grain Valley, Missouri, requires CA 20 48 or equivalent language for automobile liability.^[3] Review the issued endorsement, not just the additional insured box on an ACORD certificate.

This guide is for educational purposes and summarizes standard ISO policy language in original words. Menlo Insurance Services is not affiliated with Insurance Services Office, Inc. Your coverage form, schedule, covered-auto symbols, and endorsements control. Talk to a licensed broker about your contract.

The Bottom Line

CA 20 48 schedules a party for covered autos liability only to the extent the underlying policy already treats it as an insured. Check qualification, covered-auto symbols, limits, and separate contract requirements.