The policy the contract asks for.
General liability for motor carriers and owner-operators, for the claims your truck's auto liability policy doesn't handle.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Auto liability stops at the truck
Your primary auto liability covers accidents involving the truck. Truckers general liability covers the rest of the business: someone hurt at your yard or office, damage at a customer's dock, and products or completed-operations claims tied to your work.
Shippers, brokers, warehouses and load boards increasingly require it before they'll load you, often with specific limits and additional insured wording. I place it with carriers that write trucking, alongside your auto liability and cargo coverage.
- Premises injuriesSomeone hurt at your yard, office or terminal.
- Customer propertyDamage at a shipper's or receiver's location, subject to policy terms.
- Contract requirementsLimits and additional insureds for shipper and broker agreements.
- Advertising injuryClaims such as copying another company's name or ads.
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.
- Authority: USDOT and MC numbers.
- Operations: what you haul and how far.
- Locations: yards, offices and terminals.
- Contracts: limits and wording your shippers or brokers require.
- Revenue: annual revenue and number of trucks.
- History: current policies and claims.
Truckers general liability, answered
Doesn't my truck insurance cover this?
Auto liability covers accidents involving the truck. General liability covers other business claims, like injuries at your yard or damage at a customer's location.
Why is a broker asking for general liability?
Many brokers, shippers and warehouses require it in their carrier agreements. Send me the requirement and I'll match the limits and wording.
Can I get GL with new authority?
Yes. Markets are fewer in the first year, but GL is available for new ventures alongside the auto liability you need for your filings.
What do underwriters rate on?
Revenue, what you haul, where you operate, the locations you control and your claims history.
Do you offer truckers general liability insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. California policies are placed directly; outside California the request is handled together with a partner agency in your state, and the shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see truck insurance by state or insurance requirements by state.
Send the requirement. I'll shop it.
Your DOT number and the contract's insurance requirements 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).
Tell me how to reach you. I’ll take it from there.
Takes about 30 seconds. I review every request personally and call you back, usually the same day.
(424) 552-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
Get a reminder before your renewal.
Tell me when your policy renews and I’ll email you about six weeks before, when it’s worth comparing. One email, no calls.