COMPARING THE LATEST EDITIONS OF THE PERSONAL AUTO POLICY

(September 2024)

The following is a look at a number of policy features between the 2018, 2005, and 1998 editions of ISO’s Personal Auto Policy.

Related Article: ISO 2018 Ed. Personal Auto Policy Analysis

Policy Feature	Personal Automobile Policy Edition
	2018 Edition	2005 Edition	1998 Edition
Definition -"Occupying"	Same wording and format of ’05 edition.	Same as ’98 edition but formatted differently in attempt to clarify.	In, upon, getting in, getting on, getting off or getting out
Definition - "Transportation Network Platform"	Refers to transportation services that are accessed through a mobile electronic device application or through a digital network. The service must involve matching riders to drivers who are compensated for picking up and transporting persons between agreed-upon locations.	Not a defined term.	Not a defined term.
Supplementary Payments	Similar to '05 edition, including statement regarding payments not reducing PAP insurance limit. However, $250 daily loss of earnings.	Similar to '98 edition, but it adds a separate sentence at end of section stating that the payments do not reduce the policy's insurance limit. $200 daily loss of earnings.	Added coverage amounts for cost of bail bonds, appeal bond premiums, post-judgment interest , and $200 daily loss of earnings.
Part A – Liability Exclusions – Vehicles	Unchanged from ’98 edition.	Unchanged from ’98 edition.	Coverage is barred for vehicles with fewer than four wheels or which are primarily designed for use off public roads, except when such vehicles are used for by an insured for medical emergencies.
Part A – Liability Exclusions – Vehicles Use	Similar to previous editions, includes specific reference that no coverage applies to vehicles used in conjunction with “Transportation Network Platform.”	No coverage for vehicles used as a public or livery conveyance	Same as ’05 Edition
Policy Feature	Personal Automobile Policy Edition
	2018 Edition	2005 Edition	1998 Edition
Part A – Liability Exclusions – Vehicle Use Exception	Similar to ’05 Edition but also specifically makes an exception for public or livery use that strictly involves charitable volunteer situations.	Public conveyance exception made for share-the-expense car-pooling.	Same as ’05 Edition.
Part A – Liability Exclusions – Vehicle Use – Ride-sharing	No coverage for loss involving personal ride-sharing programs when under a written contract AND the operator is neither the named insured nor a “family member.”	Not referenced. Coverage might apply according to loss circumstances.	Same as ’05 Edition.
Part A – Liability Exclusions – Vehicle Use – Racing	Similar to previous editions. However, exclusion also extends to driver skill training and skill events.	Same as ’98 Edition	No coverage for vehicles preparing, competing, or practicing for a pre-arranged/organized race or speed contest while covered car is located within a racing facility.
Part A – Liability Exclusions – Vehicle Use	Coverage is excluded for vehicles that are designed for or are capable of flight.	No specific reference, so coverage may depend upon circumstances.	No specific reference, so coverage may depend upon circumstances.
Out Of State Provision	Same as ’05 edition.	Similar to '98 edition, but program has additional wording to applicable State Amendatory Endorsements that refer to each state's actual minimum limits.	Provisions allow the policy’s liability coverage to respond at least with an applicable state’s minimum FR and benefit requirements.
Terminating Defense Obligation	Same as earlier editions	Same as '98 PAP	Limits exhausted by paying judgment or settlement terminates defense.
Other Insurance Provisions	Similar to '05 edition but added wording that it responds on primary basis when other sources are specifically written on an excess basis.	Similar to '98 edition, but adds wording that responds on an excess basis; ALSO applies to substitute vehicles.	Policy responds as excess for eligible non-owned autos.
Policy Feature	Personal Automobile Policy Edition
	2018 Edition	2005 Edition	1998 Edition
Medical Payments Exclusions	Same as ’05 edition	Expands the exception under item 8. so that it also extends to non-owned pickups and vans.	Auto exclusion 8. contains exception that covers private passenger autos, trailers and owned pickups and vans that are used in an insured's business.
Non-Owned Autos	Same as ’05 edition	Coverage applies to named insured & resident relatives occupying non-owned auto IF driven by named insured . Same persons covered as passengers in non-owned private passenger auto driven by resident relative. Resident relatives are presumed to be permissive operators.	Same as ’05 edition
Uninsured Motorists (Exclusions)	Same as ’05 edition	Policy excludes payment if insured settles a BI loss without the insurer's written agreement AND if the action harms (prejudices) the insurers rights.	Policy excludes payment if insured settles a BI loss without the insurer's written agreement.
Arbitration Provision	Same as ’05 edition	Similar to previous editions but refers to "at least" two judges (rather than two of three judges) in order to make the provision clearer.	Arbitration is binding when two of three judges agree on an amount.
Appraisal Condition	Policy requires that both parties select appraisers who are BOTH competent and IMPARTIAL.	Same as ’18 edition	Policy requires that both parties select competent appraisers.
Coverage For Damage To Your Auto – Custom Equipment	A defined term referring to carpeting, special insulation, extended roofs, furniture enhancing equipment custom tires, certain decorative features, etc.	Not defined in policy	Not defined in policy
Policy Feature	Personal Automobile Policy Edition
	2018 Edition	2005 Edition	1998 Edition
Coverage For Damage To Your Auto – Transportation Expenses	Transportation expense is paid for theft of trailer (as well as a car) for a maximum of $30 per day or $900.	Transportation expense is paid for theft of trailer (as well as a car) for a maximum of $20 per day or $600.	Same as 05 edition
Damage To Non-Owned Autos	Same as ’05 Edition.	This edition has clarification that PAP also responds to temporary substitute autos on an excess basis.	Non-owned auto damage is covered on an excess basis under Coverage D. A rental car qualifying as a "non-owned auto" has the broadest coverage applicable to any "covered auto." Similarly, a temporary substitute for a "covered auto" has the broadest coverage applicable to any of the insured's "covered autos."
Damage To Non-Owned Trailers	Policy provides up to $1,500 coverage for certain non-owned trailers.	Policy provides up to $1,500 coverage for certain non-owned trailers.	Policy provides up to $500 coverage for certain non-owned trailers.
Camper Bodies	Same as ’98 Edition	Same as '98 PAP	Camper bodies are excluded unless specifically declared in policy Declarations. This exclusion makes the common exception for newly acquired camper bodies, but the policy does cover non-owned trailers (including facilities).
Electronic Equipment	Same as ’05 Edition	Similar to '98 edition. It also will provide a maximum of $1,000 for loss to equipment for producing sound which is permanently installed, even when in a location that is DIFFERENT than the spot designated by the car manufacturer. The wording was also clarified so that coverage is totally excluded for media and accessories used with such equipment.	Loss to radios, stereos, tape or CD players, CB radios, mobile radios, phones, TVs, video or audio cassette recorders, PCs or scanners is excluded. An exception applies to radios, stereos, tape, or CD players that are permanently installed in a console. Removable radios that can only be powered by the auto's electrical system - anti-theft removable radios - are now covered while in or on the car. Radar and laser detectors are not covered. NOTE: The policy will provide up to $1,000 for loss to equipment for producing sound which is permanently installed in a location that is DIFFERENT than the spot designated by the car manufacturer.
Custom Equipment	Policy provides up to $1,500 for property defined as “custom equipment.”	No coverage	No coverage
Policy Feature	Personal Automobile Policy Edition
	2018 Edition	2005 Edition	1998 Edition
Permission To Use Covered Vehicle	Same as ’05 Edition.	Policy clarified so that issue of "permission" does not affect members of insured's household.	Excludes drivers who use covered vehicles without a reasonable belief of having permission. When it appears that permission existed, an insurer is unable to subrogate under Physical Damage insurance.
Part E – Duties After A Loss	An insured who does not fully comply with the policy's post-loss obligations risks losing coverage for that given loss, but ONLY IF the non-compliance harms (prejudices) the insurer's rights.	Same as ’18 Edition	An insured who does not fully comply with the policy's post-loss obligations risks losing coverage for that given loss.
Additional Vehicles - Newly Acquired	Similar to previous editions except for one major restriction in coverage. In previous editions replacement vehicles were automatically covered and were not subject to reporting requirements. Now the same 14-day reporting requirement applies to both additional and replacement acquisitions.	Same as ‘98 Edition	Additionally acquired vehicles must be reported within 14 days of acquisition if only liability coverage is involved. With regard to an additional vehicle that includes collision or other than collision, such vehicles must be reported within 14 days if at least one existing car has the same physical damage coverage, or 4 days if no existing car has matching physical damage coverage. No reporting was required for replacement vehicles.