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Article 7 of 20 in Understanding Your Fault-Based Auto Insurance Policy

Fault-based auto insurance: all risks physical damage -- definitions


Below are definitions that are specific to this section only in addition to the definitions that apply to the entire fault-based policy. (See “Understanding Your Fault-Based Auto Insurance Policy – Policy Definitions”) Following the definitions are some explanations to help make them a bit more understandable.


Additional Definitions Used in This Part Only

(1) “Non-owned car” means a private passenger car, utility car or utility trailer not owned by or furnished or available for the regular use of you or a resident of the same household, provided each use is with the permission of the owner.

(2) “Your insured car” shall also include any other car or utility trailer not owned by or furnished or available for the regular use of you or a relative, while used by you or a relative.

(3) “Uninsured motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle which is not insured by a property damage liability bond or policy at the time of the accident. However, it does not mean:


(a) a hit-and-run vehicle whose operator or owner is unknown; or

(b) a vehicle owned by or furnished or available for the regular use of you or a resident of the same household.


(4) “Loss” means


(a) with respect to your insured car, all risks of physical loss to the car or its equipment;

(b) With respect to a non-owned car, all risks of physical loss or damage to the car excluding mechanical breakdown or wear and tear.


(5) “Audio Equipment” includes AM/FM stereo radios, tape or disc player units, UHF or VHF scanning monitors, two-way radios or telephones and their component parts which are permanently installed in your insured car.

(6) “Collision” means collision of your insured car with another object or upset of your insured car. Loss caused by missiles, falling objects, fire, theft or larceny, explosion, earthquake, windstorm, hail, water, flood, malicious mischief or vandalism, riot or civil commotion, colliding with a bird or animal, or breakage of glass is not deemed loss caused by collision. If breakage of glass results from a collision, however, you may elect to have it treated as loss caused by collision.


Explanations

In other words, regarding definition (1), a non-owned car is a car that is not yours. A non-owned car is also not a car that is owned by someone else who allows you to use it on a regular basis.

Your insured car, in definition number (2), adds to the general definition that applies to the entire fault-based policy, by including as your insured car, any other car you drive, while you are driving it.

Definition number (3) for uninsured motor vehicle means that it is a car without any liability insurance, unless it’s a hit-and-run whose owner can’t be identified, or it’s your car or a car you regularly use.

The definition for loss, (4), makes a big distinction between your car, and one you are driving but do not own. If it’s your car, a loss refers to all physical damage to the car or its equipment. If it’s not your car, a loss refers to all risks except mechanical breakdown or wear and tear.

Definition (5) is fairly self-explanatory, but do be aware that audio equipment must be permanently installed to be included in the definition. A cell phone, which you take with you when you leave the car, would not fall within this definition.

The policy tells us that a collision (6) is a collision. It does not include the host of other events listed that could cause damage to your car.


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