Designated Insured For Covered Autos Liability Coverage
The auto additional-insured form — adds a party as insured under the Business Auto policy.
What it actually does
CA 20 48 is the Designated Insured endorsement on the Business Auto policy. It adds a scheduled person or organization as an "insured" for covered-autos liability coverage, which is how a GC becomes an additional insured under a subcontractor's commercial auto policy. The standard Business Auto form has no built-in additional-insured mechanism for ordinary contracts, so this endorsement is the vehicle for it.
It applies to liability arising out of the use of covered autos; it does not extend physical-damage or any non-auto coverage. The party is scheduled, so the correct GC/owner entity must be listed.
When a subcontract requires auto additional-insured status (common where subs drive to and from the site or haul materials), CA 20 48 is the form to look for — the CGL additional-insured endorsements (CG 20 10, etc.) do nothing on the auto policy.
Verification checklist
- 01Confirm CA 20 48 is attached to the Business Auto policy when auto AI status is required.
- 02Verify the GC/owner entity is correctly scheduled.
- 03Check the auto liability limit meets the subcontract requirement.
- 04Don't rely on CGL AI endorsements to cover the auto policy — they don't.
Common mistakes
- ·Assuming a CGL additional-insured endorsement also covers the auto policy — auto AI requires CA 20 48.
- ·Forgetting to require auto AI status for subs who drive or haul to the site.
Frequently asked questions
How does a GC become an additional insured on a sub's auto policy?
Through CA 20 48, the Designated Insured endorsement on the Business Auto policy. CGL additional-insured forms don't apply to auto coverage.
What does CA 20 48 cover?
Liability arising out of the use of the sub's covered autos. It does not add physical-damage or other coverages for the designated party.
Do I always need auto AI status?
Require it when the sub's vehicles are part of the work (driving to site, hauling, deliveries). Many subcontracts require it as standard.
Checking a COI for CA 20 48?
Upload it free — we'll tell you whether CA 20 48 is actually attached, the right edition, and scheduled correctly, plus every other gap against your requirements.
Check a COI for CA 20 48 →Related endorsements
This page explains CA 20 48 in plain English for COI verification. It is informational only and is not legal or insurance advice — confirm the actual endorsement language and have your counsel or insurance agent review your specific requirements.