Heavy trucks, heavy exposure.
Commercial auto, pollution, general liability and workers' comp for residential and commercial trash, roll-off, recycling and portable toilet companies.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Trucks and what they carry
Waste haulers run heavy trucks on residential streets every day, and the waste itself can cause pollution claims. Many standard auto and liability markets avoid the class.
I place haulers with markets that write waste operations, combining auto liability and physical damage with pollution and general liability.
- Commercial autoLiability and physical damage.
- Pollution liabilitySpills and contamination.
- General liabilityDamage at customer sites.
- Workers' compDrivers and helpers.
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.
- Operations: type of waste and service.
- Trucks: number, types and values.
- Drivers: number and records.
- Hazardous waste: whether you haul it.
- Facilities: yards or transfer stations.
- History: current policies and loss runs.
Waste hauler insurance, answered
Is pollution covered by auto insurance?
Only partly. Many haulers add pollution liability for spills during collection and transport.
Do roll-off containers need coverage?
Containers can be covered as equipment, and damage at customer sites under liability.
Is hazardous waste a different class?
Yes. It carries additional filings and limits.
Why is waste hauling hard to place?
Heavy trucks on residential routes bring frequent claims, so fewer carriers write it.
Do you offer waste hauler 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 your fleet. I'll shop it.
Trucks, drivers and service types 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
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Tell me when your policy renews and I’ll email you about six weeks before, when it’s worth comparing. One email, no calls.