Auctioneer Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages an auctioneer business may carry — core, prevalent, and situational — why each matters, and the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current policy and check the box next to any coverage you can confirm is already in place — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor. Coverage checklist for licensed auctioneers and bid callers. Priorities reflect typical exposure for this class; confirm against whether the auctioneer works independently, for auction companies, or both.
Tick each coverage you can confirm you carry — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Have it? | Coverage | Why this business needs it | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auctioneers Errors & Omissions | Covers claims arising from statements from the block, reserve and bidding disputes, and settlement errors. | Core | |
| Commercial General Liability | Covers injuries and property damage at sales, including at sellers' homes and farms. | Core | |
| Auctioneer Surety Bond | Required for licensure in many states; protects sellers and buyers if the auctioneer fails to perform. | Core | |
| Crime / Fidelity Coverage | Covers theft of sale proceeds by staff or clerks. | Prevalent | |
| Property of Others / Bailee | Covers sellers' goods in the auctioneer's custody before and during the sale. | Situational | |
| Hired & Non-Owned Auto | Covers driving to sales and hauling goods in personal vehicles. | Prevalent | |
| Equipment / Inland Marine | Covers sound systems, tents, trailers, and clerking equipment. | Situational | |
| Cyber Liability | Covers online auctions and bidder or seller data. | Situational |
The coverage gap most often missed
The most commonly missed gap for this class is knowing whose insurance applies. Many auctioneers call sales for other auction companies or conduct sales on sellers' properties, and without a written agreement it may be unclear whether the auction company's policy or the auctioneer's own responds to a bidder injury or an E&O claim. Auctioneers also hold sellers' money in trust, so a bond claim or shortfall can threaten the license itself. A personal E&O policy and current surety bonds in every licensing state close most of this gap.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your auctioneer coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Auctioneer Insurance · Auctioneer Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does an auctioneer business need?
The core coverages for an auctioneer business are Auctioneers Errors & Omissions, Commercial General Liability, Auctioneer Surety Bond. This checklist also lists the prevalent and situational coverages worth considering, with a plain-English note on why each matters.
Is this checklist insurance advice?
No. It is a free educational tool to help you have a more informed conversation with a licensed professional. It affords no coverage and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice — only your actual policy language governs what is and isn't covered.
Can Cory Washington & Co. review my auctioneer coverage?
Yes. Share your checklist and we'll review your program line by line, market your account across multiple carriers, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
This checklist is a free educational tool from Cory Washington & Co. to help you review your own coverage and have a more informed conversation with a licensed insurance professional. It is general information only — not insurance, legal, or financial advice, and not a recommendation to buy, change, or cancel any policy. Coverage terms, availability, limits, and requirements vary by policy, carrier, and state, and only the language in your actual policy governs what is and isn’t covered. Checking or leaving blank any item above does not indicate that you are adequately insured or under-insured. Using this checklist does not create a client, agency, or fiduciary relationship. Always consult a licensed professional about your specific situation.