When are employers typically liable under their auto liability policy?

Employers are typically liable under their auto liability policy for accidents happening on company business because this is when the employer has a duty to ensure that employees are operating vehicles safely while fulfilling their job responsibilities. The concept of vicarious liability applies here, meaning that employers can be held responsible for the actions of their employees performed within the scope of their employment. This reflects the principle that if an employee causes an accident while using a vehicle for work-related purposes, the employer’s insurance policy can cover the damages resulting from that incident.

In contrast, liability for intentional acts of employees would usually fall outside of the scope of employer liability, as it is generally understood that employers do not condone or cover actions that are willful and malicious. Additionally, injuries occurring during personal use of a vehicle are typically not covered under the employer's auto liability policy since these situations do not involve the employee acting on behalf of the employer. Lastly, damages exceeding the policy limits refer to situations where the amount of the claims surpasses the coverage provided by the insurance policy, which does not inherently relate to employer liability but rather to the limitations of the coverage itself.