1. Forms
2. DS
3. DS-14-03

What the Form Is

The CA DS 14 03 Truckers Declarations is a declarations page used with the CA 00 12 Truckers Coverage Form. It serves to customize the insurance policy for a specific insured engaged in the business of transporting goods for others. This form provides a summary of the essential details of the insurance contract, including the name of the insured, the policy term, a description of the covered autos, the specific coverages selected (e.g., liability, physical damage, trailer interchange), the limits for those coverages, applicable deductibles, and the premium for the policy.

Classes of Business It Applies To

This form is specifically designed for businesses that operate as truckers-for-hire, meaning they transport goods for others for a fee. This includes:

• Common Carriers: Truckers who offer their services to the general public to transport goods over defined routes. For example, a less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier that consolidates freight from multiple shippers.
• Contract Carriers: Truckers who haul goods for specific customers based on contractual agreements. For instance, a trucking company that has a dedicated contract to transport products for a particular manufacturer.
• Operations ranging from local delivery services to long-haul interstate trucking companies.

Special Considerations

• Paired with Truckers Coverage Form: The CA DS 14 03 is not a standalone document; it must be used in conjunction with the CA 00 12 Truckers Coverage Form, which contains the actual insuring agreements, exclusions, and conditions.
• Accuracy is Critical: All information on the declarations, especially the schedule of covered autos, designated symbols, limits, and radii of operation, must be accurate to ensure proper coverage and rating.
• Regulatory Compliance: Trucking operations are often subject to federal and state regulations, including financial responsibility requirements (e.g., MCS-90 endorsement for interstate truckers). The coverages and limits shown on the declarations must align with these legal obligations.
• Form Withdrawal/Replacement: It is important to note that Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) and state-specific organizations like Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR) in Massachusetts have indicated the withdrawal or replacement of the Truckers Coverage Form (CA 00 12) and its corresponding Truckers Declarations (CA DS 14 03). These are often being superseded by the Motor Carrier Coverage Form (CA 00 20) and Motor Carrier Declarations (CA DS 21), or the Business Auto Coverage Form (CA 00 01) and Business Auto Declarations (CA DS 03), which can offer broader applicability. Professionals should verify the current forms in use by their carriers and in their jurisdictions.

Key Information for Agents and Underwriters

• Risk Assessment: The declarations page is a primary tool for underwriters to assess the risk. Key data points include the types of vehicles, radius of operation, types of cargo hauled (with particular attention to hazardous materials which may require specific endorsements or may be excluded), driver history, and prior loss experience.
• Pricing and Premium: The premium breakdown is detailed on this form, reflecting the specific coverages, limits, and deductibles chosen, as well as the underwriter's evaluation of the risk profile.
• Coverage Adequacy: Agents must ensure that the limits and coverages declared are sufficient to meet the insured’s operational needs, contractual obligations (e.g., with shippers or brokers), and all regulatory mandates. Special attention should be paid to Trailer Interchange Coverage if the trucker hauls non-owned trailers.
• Filings: For truckers operating across state lines, the policy (as reflected in the declarations) must support necessary financial responsibility filings (e.g., BMC-91X for liability, MCS-90 endorsement).
• Transition to Newer Forms: Given the trend of replacing Truckers forms, agents and underwriters should be familiar with the Motor Carrier forms (CA 00 20, CA DS 21) or Business Auto forms (CA 00 01, CA DS 03) as these are increasingly becoming the standard for insuring trucking risks. Using an outdated declarations form could lead to coverage ambiguities or failure to meet current industry practices.