What it does
CA DS 21 is the ISO declarations form that goes with the Motor Carrier Coverage Form CA 00 20. It carries the named insured and policy information, the schedule of coverages with the motor carrier covered auto symbols (61 through 71 and 79), limits and premiums, the schedule of covered autos, and the rating schedules for hired and borrowed autos and for trailer interchange. The current multistate edition is 11 20; the 10 13 edition (18 pages) and the 03 10 edition preceded it.
Why agents care
- Trailer interchange physical damage is triggered by entering symbol 69 or 70 next to the physical damage coverages; leaving them off means no interchange coverage even if a premium was discussed.
- Hired auto liability for leased units is rated on cost of hire, so the dec must reflect whether hired coverage is primary or excess.
- Endorsements commonly listed here: CA 23 09 (for owner-operators), CA 23 17 (UIIE-1), CA 23 08, CA 23 12, plus the federal MCS-90 when required.
Quoting tips
Reconcile unit lists (power units, trailers, owner-operator units), radius, commodities and lease agreements with the dec before binding, and confirm the named insured matches the carrier's legal name exactly as it will appear on federal or state filings.
