Liability is the part of a commercial auto policy that pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others. It's the coverage every state requires, the coverage FMCSA regulates for interstate carriers, and the coverage your clients and brokers will ask to see on a certificate.
Combined single limit vs. split limits
Personal policies are usually written with split limits such as 50/100/25 — $50,000 per injured person, $100,000 per accident for injuries, and $25,000 for property damage. Commercial policies are usually written with a combined single limit (CSL), such as $1,000,000, that can be used for any mix of injury and property damage in one accident. A CSL is more flexible and is what contracts and FMCSA filings expect.
How much liability to carry
- State minimums are a legal floor, not a recommendation — one serious injury can exceed them many times over.
- $1,000,000 CSL is the standard for contractors, trucking, and most commercial contracts.
- Interstate for-hire carriers must meet FMCSA minimums ($300k–$5M depending on vehicle size and cargo).
- An umbrella or excess policy adds limits above $1M for less than the cost of raising primary limits.
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What does 'symbol 1' mean on a commercial auto policy?
Covered-auto symbols define which vehicles a coverage applies to. Symbol 1 means 'any auto' — owned, hired, and non-owned — and is the broadest. Other symbols limit coverage to owned autos (2), specifically described autos (7), hired autos (8), or non-owned autos (9).
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Reviewed October 2026. General information only — not insurance or legal advice. Coverage terms vary by insurer and state.