Who asks for what
| Who | What they usually want to see |
|---|---|
| Delivery platform | Auto liability at the contract limit with the platform as additional insured, cargo, GL, workers' compensation or occupational accident, umbrella for larger fleets |
| Shipper or freight broker | Auto liability, cargo at a stated limit, GL, a certificate per load or per year |
| Lender or lessor | Physical damage with the lender as loss payee |
| Regulator | Proof of liability at the legal minimum filed for the operating authority |
| Warehouse or dock | GL and auto certificates naming the facility |
How to check what you already have
- Auto dec page. Liability limit per accident; every vehicle listed with VIN; hired and non-owned if staff use their own cars; the additional insured and waiver forms contracts ask for.
- Physical damage. Collision and comprehensive on each financed or valuable vehicle, deductibles you can afford.
- Cargo. Limit per vehicle or per occurrence; exclusions compared with your freight mix.
- General liability. Each occurrence and aggregate; confirm it does not exclude loading and unloading in a way that conflicts with the auto policy.
- Workers' compensation or occupational accident. Matches how drivers are actually engaged.
What usually goes wrong
- Personal auto on a delivery vehicle. Claim denied for business use.
- Cargo exclusions on the goods you carry most.
- Drivers added late. A new hire on the road before the carrier knows.
- Platform limits rising mid-contract without the policy following.
Renewal timing
Auto rates move with the fleet's record. Start comparing sixty days out, bring the driver list and vehicle list current, and keep the platform's certificate requirements in the wallet so renewals do not pull a route offline.