An additional insured is a party protected under an insurance policy, but who is not named within the policy. A common example of an additional insured is a person who, although not specifically named, is covered under a liability policy by a definition of “insured” that extends protection to interests, strictly according to a status, such as employees or common members of a household. This is most commonly seen in personal automobile polices such as when a friend drives a car with the owners permission. A party typically becomes an additional named insured pursuant to an agreement obligating the named insured to add the additional named insured to the named insured’s pre-existing insurance policy. This is discussed in the 1997, Austin Court of Appeals opinion styled, Western Indem. Ins. Co. v. American Physicians Ins. Exch.
The Western Indemnity case is a summary judgment ruling. In the case, the wording of the policy was discussed at length. In making it’s ruling the court noted that both the terms “additional insured” and “additional named insured” have clear technical meanings. An additional insured is a party protected under an insurance policy, but who is not named within the policy. A common example of an additional insured is a person who, although not specifically named, is covered under a liability policy by a definition of “insured” that extends protection to interests, strictly according to a status, such as employees or common members of a household. On the other hand, an additional named insured is a person or entity specifically named in the policy as an insured subsequent to the issuance of the original policy. A party typically becomes an additional named insured pursuant to an agreement obligating the named insured to add the additional named insured to the named insured’s pre-existing insurance policy.
As in all situations where an insurance company is not promptly paying a claim for coverage, a person should seek the help of an Experienced Insurance Law Attorney.