Insured Person and Auto Policy Exclusion

Facts of loss are that the insured backed into her son's company vehicle while it is parked and unoccupied. The son lives with the insured. The company vehicle is not owned by the insured or the insured's son. The son is an employee of the company.

Our auto policy has an exclusion under the liability coverage that reads:

“This coverage does not apply to: …. 10.Damage to property rented to, or in the charge of, an insured person except a residence or private garage not owned by that person.”

The insured's son would qualify as an insured person under the policy since he is a family member and is a resident of the household.

A claim is being brought under the insured's liability policy for the damage to the insured's son company car.

It appears that the above exclusion would apply. What is your interpretation of this exclusion?

Ohio Subscriber

We agree that the son qualifies as an insured person under the policy language, and we agree that the damage to the son's work vehicle is excluded. While the policy does not define “in the charge of” Merriam Webster online defines “in charge” as: having control or custody of something. The son does indeed have control or custody of his employer's vehicle.

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