Except as may be otherwise provided in this article:
(a) The term “motor vehicle” means any vehicle designed for use principally upon streets and highways and subject to motor vehicle registration under the laws of this state.
(b) The term “insured” shall include the person or persons to whom any policy subject to this article is issued as named insured and any other person to whom coverage is afforded under the terms of any such policy.
(c) The term “bodily injury” shall include sickness or disease, including death resulting therefrom.
(d) The term “automobile” means any self-propelled motor vehicle, with neither more than nor less than four wheels, designed for use principally upon streets and highways and subject to motor vehicle registration under the laws of this state.
(e) The term “arrest” shall have the same meaning as set forth in Section 834 of the Penal Code.
(f) The term “operated by” or “when operating” shall be conclusively presumed to describe the conduct of the person sitting immediately behind the steering controls of the motor vehicle. The person shall be conclusively presumed to be the sole operator of the motor vehicle.
(g) The term “use” when applied to a motor vehicle shall only mean operating, maintaining, loading, or unloading a motor vehicle.
(h) The word “terms” when used with reference to a policy or endorsement includes the provision of coverage, exclusions, restrictions, conditions, deductions, and limits.
(i) Unless otherwise provided in this code, the term “leased motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle leased or rented by a lessor licensed to lease motor vehicles under a written contract for a period of six months or longer.
(Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 359, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1995.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018