Short answer
A "scheduled" or "specifically described" auto policy covers only the vehicles listed on it. "Any auto" covers any vehicle used in your business, listed or not. Most trucking policies are written on a scheduled basis, which means a truck you forgot to add may not be covered.
- On the motor carrier coverage form these are shown as numbered symbols: 61 for any auto and 67 for specifically described autos, with separate symbols for hired, non-owned and interchange trailers.
- If an unlisted truck causes an accident, the MCS-90 may still pay the public, but the insurer can seek reimbursement from you.
How covered auto symbols work
Commercial auto policies use numbered "covered auto symbols" on the declarations page to say which vehicles each coverage applies to. IRMI lists symbols 61 through 71 and 79 as the motor carrier range. On the ISO motor carrier coverage form (CA 00 20), the ones trucking companies see most are:
| Symbol | Meaning | Practical effect |
|---|---|---|
| 61 | Any auto | Broadest: any vehicle used in the business |
| 67 | Specifically described autos | Only units listed on the schedule |
| 68 | Hired autos | Vehicles you hire or borrow |
| 69 | Trailers held under a written interchange agreement | Trailer interchange physical damage |
| 70 | Your trailers held by another party under an interchange agreement | Your trailers in someone else’s hands |
| 71 | Non-owned autos | Vehicles you do not own, hire or borrow, used in your business |
Why most trucking policies are scheduled
Trucking liability is rated per unit, by vehicle type, radius, and use. Underwriters want to know exactly which tractors and trailers they are covering, so most trucking liability and physical damage is written as symbol 67, specifically described. Symbol 61 any-auto liability is available in some programs, often at a higher price, and it is more common on smaller, lighter fleets.
Physical damage is almost always scheduled with a stated value per unit. See stated amount vs actual cash value.
The unlisted truck problem
On a scheduled policy, a truck that is not on the schedule may have no coverage under the policy's own terms. Policies often give some automatic coverage for newly acquired vehicles if you report them within a set time, but that wording varies, so read your policy rather than assume.
Because the policy carries the MCS-90 endorsement, the injured public may still be paid up to the federal minimum. FMCSA says the MCS-90 applies to all vehicles operated under the policy that are subject to federal financial responsibility rules. But the MCS-90 is a reimbursement guarantee: the insurer can come back to you for what it paid. That is a business-ending outcome for a small carrier. The fix is boring: add trucks before they are dispatched, and remove sold units so you are not paying for them.
Brokers and "any auto" on certificates
Some shipper and broker forms ask for "any auto" liability. If your policy is scheduled, your certificate should not say otherwise. Ask what they actually need. Often a scheduled policy with all units listed plus hired and non-owned coverage satisfies the intent.
Hired and non-owned: the gap scheduled policies leave
A scheduled policy does not automatically cover a rental truck, a borrowed tractor, or an employee driving their own pickup on a parts run. Hired auto (symbol 68) and non-owned auto (symbol 71) fill those gaps. See what is hired and non-owned auto. Trailers you pull but do not own are their own issue: see trailer interchange vs non-owned trailer.
Common questions
Is any auto always better?
It is broader, but it usually costs more and some trucking programs do not offer it. A well-maintained schedule plus hired and non-owned coverage closes most of the gap.
How fast do I need to add a new truck?
Before it runs. Some policies give a short automatic window for newly acquired vehicles, but the length and conditions vary by policy.
Does the MCS-90 cover a truck that is not on my schedule?
It can require the insurer to pay injured members of the public up to the federal minimum, then seek reimbursement from you. It does not protect your company.
Sources
- IRMI, Auto coverage symbols (glossary). Motor carrier symbol range 61-71 and 79.
- FMCSA, Form MCS-90 Endorsement. MCS-90 applies to all vehicles operated under the policy that are subject to federal rules.
This page explains insurance, not law. Have your attorney review indemnity and contract language; our job is making the insurance match it.
Keep reading
Coverage
Primary truck liability: what it covers, what the law requires, and where it breaks
Questions
What is the MCS-90 endorsement?
Questions
What is hired and non-owned auto coverage?
Coverage
Physical damage: how your own truck and trailer get paid for after a loss
Questions
What is the difference between trailer interchange and non-owned trailer coverage?