Other people's goods under your gavel.
General liability, consigned property, errors and omissions, auto and the required auctioneer bond for auction companies, estate sale firms and online auctioneers.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Crowds, consignments and the bond
Auctioneers take custody of things they don't own: an estate's furniture and art, a contractor's equipment, a fleet of vehicles. If a consignment is damaged or stolen before the sale, the consignor looks to you. Auctions held on a client's property bring crowds onto someone else's land, and bidders can claim an item was misdescribed.
California requires every auctioneer and auction company to keep a surety bond on file with the Secretary of State. I set up the bond along with general liability, coverage for consigned goods in your care, errors and omissions for descriptions and sale handling, and auto for the trucks that haul goods to the sale.
- General liabilityBidder and visitor injuries at sales and previews.
- Consigned goodsProperty in your care before and after the sale.
- Errors and omissionsClaims of misdescribed items or mishandled sales.
- Auctioneer bondRequired by California for auctioneers and auction companies.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Business: auctioneers, years in business and bond status.
- Sales: estate, equipment, vehicle, art or online.
- Locations: your premises, client sites or both.
- Consignments: highest value in your care at one time.
- Vehicles: trucks used to haul goods.
- Revenue and history: annual commissions, current policies and claims.
Auctioneer insurance, answered
Does California require an auctioneer bond?
Yes. California's Civil Code requires auctioneers and auction companies to maintain a surety bond and file a copy with the Secretary of State. I help set it up.
Are consigned items covered by general liability?
Usually not. General liability excludes property in your care. Consigned goods need their own coverage, often written as bailee or inland marine.
What about auctions at a client's home?
General liability can respond to injuries at off-site sales, subject to the policy terms. The property owner may also want to be named as additional insured.
Are vehicle auctions different?
Yes. Vehicle sales bring dealer licensing questions and garage-type exposures, so insurers ask about them separately.
Do you offer auctioneer insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. Sam Alishahi is licensed in 48 states and Washington, DC and places policies there directly. In Florida and Washington, where Sam's licenses are still being issued, a partner agency in your state helps in the meantime. The shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Tell me what you sell. I'll shop it.
Your sale types, locations and largest consignment value are enough to start.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued. Some policies may be placed with nonadmitted (surplus lines) insurers, which are not members of the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA).
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(877) 711-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
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