Freight Broker Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages a freight broker 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 non-asset freight brokers. Priorities reflect typical exposure; confirm against modes, agents, and shipper contracts.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contingent Auto Liability | Covers the broker when a hired carrier's crash leads to suit — now critical after Montgomery. | Core | |
| Contingent Cargo | Covers cargo losses when the carrier's cargo policy doesn't respond. | Core | |
| Broker Errors & Omissions | Covers claims over booking, billing, and selection errors. | Core | |
| Umbrella / Excess Liability | Adds limits above contingent auto for crash suits. | Prevalent | |
| Cyber & Social Engineering | Covers carrier impersonation and payment fraud. | Prevalent | |
| Commercial General Liability | Covers the broker's own premises and operations. | Core |
The coverage gap most often missed
The most commonly missed gap for this class is contingent auto coverage sized for negligent-selection suits. In May 2026 the Supreme Court held in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II that brokers can be sued for hiring unsafe carriers, removing the preemption defense many policies were priced around. Brokers should review contingent auto limits, confirm E&O doesn't exclude bodily injury claims tied to selection, and document carrier vetting on every load.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your freight broker coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Freight Broker Insurance · Freight Broker Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does a freight broker business need?
The core coverages for a freight broker business are Contingent Auto Liability, Contingent Cargo, Broker Errors & Omissions, Commercial General Liability. 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 freight broker 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.