Commercial Automobile Policy Feature Checklist
What to confirm in a commercial automobile policy — what's standard, what's often limited, and what to add if needed — plus the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current commercial auto policy and check the box next to each feature you can confirm it includes — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor.
Tick each feature you can confirm your policy includes — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Confirm? | Policy feature | What to confirm | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liability Limits Matching Contracts | Confirm the combined single limit meets customer and contract requirements. | Standard | |
| Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist | Covers injuries to drivers hit by uninsured or underinsured motorists — often rejected to save premium. | Standard | |
| Hired & Non-Owned Auto | Extends liability to rented vehicles and employees' personal cars used for business. | Standard | |
| Comprehensive & Collision (Stated Values) | Covers damage to owned vehicles — confirm values reflect current replacement cost, including equipment. | Often limited | |
| Rental Reimbursement / Downtime | Pays for a replacement vehicle while a damaged unit is repaired. | Often limited | |
| Motor Truck Cargo | Covers goods owned by others while being hauled — not included in auto liability. | If needed | |
| Additional Insured & Waiver of Subrogation | Confirm endorsements required by contracts are on the auto policy, not just general liability. | If needed | |
| Umbrella Following Auto | Confirm the umbrella schedules the auto policy — auto verdicts often exceed primary limits. | Standard |
The gap most often missed in this coverage
The most commonly missed gap in this coverage is limits sized for today's verdicts. Commercial auto has lost money for 14 straight years as liability severity more than doubled, and single verdicts often exceed primary limits. Businesses should confirm an umbrella sits over the auto policy, keep UM/UIM coverage, and make sure contract endorsements appear on the auto policy.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your commercial automobile coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Commercial Auto Insurance · Commercial Automobile Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What should a commercial automobile policy include?
Standard features to confirm in a commercial automobile policy include Liability Limits Matching Contracts, Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist, Hired & Non-Owned Auto, Umbrella Following Auto. This checklist also flags the features that are often limited or sublimited and the ones to add if needed, with a plain-English note on each.
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 commercial automobile 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.