Snowplow as Equipment under Business Auto Policy

Q

If an insured has a business auto policy and owns a truck that can be equipped with a snowplow, should the snowplow be insured on the business auto policy as part of the vehicle? An underwriter has advised that if the plow is insured on the auto policy, no coverage applies to the plow if it is damaged while not attached to the truck. Should the plow be insured under an inland marine policy or will the auto policy cover damage to the plow?

Pennsylvania Subscriber

A

If the plow is used with the truck, it is equipment of that truck. It makes no difference if the plow is on the truck or not for coverage purposes. The standard business auto policy does not require the covered auto's equipment to be on the auto (or, in this case, truck) or anywhere in particular for coverage purposes. There is no definition on the policy that limits the equipment to being on the truck for coverage purposes, and there is no exclusion or condition that does that either. The underwriter may be dealing with a business auto policy that somehow limits coverage for auto equipment; but if the standard ISO business auto policy is being used, the plow is covered on or off the truck as the covered auto's equipment.

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