1. Forms
2. IH
3. IH-DS-76

What the Form Is

The IH DS 76, Motor Truck Cargo Owners Declarations, is a crucial component of an Inland Marine Motor Truck Cargo Owners policy. It is not a standalone coverage form but rather a declarations page that works in conjunction with the IH 00 76 Motor Truck Cargo Owners Coverage Form, the Common Policy Declarations (IL DS 00), Common Policy Conditions (IL 00 17), Commercial Inland Marine Declarations (CM DS 02), and Commercial Inland Marine Conditions (CM 00 01). Its primary purpose is to provide specific information pertinent to the Motor Truck Cargo Owners coverage, such as the name of the insurance company providing coverage, the producer (agent or broker), and a detailed description of the property being insured while in transit on the named insured's own vehicles. Information like the named insured's details, policy period, and general business description are typically found on the Common Policy Declarations.

Classes of Business It Applies To

This declarations form is used for businesses that own and transport their own goods using their own vehicles. This is distinct from motor truck cargo carriers coverage, which applies to entities transporting goods for others for a fee. Examples of businesses that would use this form include:

• Manufacturers delivering their finished products to customers or distribution centers.
• Wholesalers transporting goods from suppliers to their warehouse or to retail clients.
• Retailers that offer delivery services for items like furniture, appliances, or building materials using their own trucks.
• Contractors (e.g., construction, artisans) who transport their own tools, equipment, and materials to job sites.

The key is that the insured owns the goods and the vehicles transporting them.

Special Considerations

Several points are important to note when dealing with the IH DS 76:

• Policy Structure: It is essential to understand that this form is part of a larger policy structure and must be accompanied by the appropriate coverage forms and conditions pages to be valid.
• Information Specificity: While the Common Policy Declarations provides general policy information, the IH DS 76 details specifics for the cargo coverage, including a section for describing the covered property, often noted as 'consisting principally of'. This allows for some flexibility but underscores the importance of accurately describing the primary nature of the cargo.
• Coverage Territory: The underlying coverage (IH 00 76) typically applies to shipments within the United States, its territories and possessions, Puerto Rico, and Canada.
• No Standalone Coverage: This form does not provide coverage on its own; it declares the specifics of the coverage provided by IH 00 76.

Key Information for Agents and Underwriters

For agents and underwriters, the IH DS 76 is a key document for capturing essential risk information:

• Accurate Property Description: Ensuring the 'Description of Covered Property' is accurate and reflects the principal goods being transported is vital. Misrepresentation could potentially jeopardize coverage.
• Correlation with Underwriting Data: The information on the IH DS 76 should align with the underwriter's assessment of the risk, which includes factors like the type and value of goods, transportation radius, vehicle types and condition, driver experience, and loss history (though these broader underwriting details are part of the overall file, not solely on this dec page).
• Limits and Deductibles: While not explicitly detailed in the provided snippets for IH DS 76 itself, declaration pages typically specify applicable limits of insurance and deductibles, which are critical for both the insured and the insurer. The IH DS 76 would list the limits applicable to the described cargo.
• Completeness of Forms: Agents must ensure that the IH DS 76 is correctly issued alongside all other required forms (IL DS 00, IL 00 17, CM DS 02, CM 00 01, IH 00 76) to form a complete and valid policy.