Does general liability cover our road tests?
Do not treat CGL as road-test insurance. Automobile is a major CGL exclusion, so review the actual auto wording and declared use.[1]
Give the broker each test vehicle’s owner, driver, route, location, passenger use, and test purpose. Ask where liability and damage to the test vehicle are addressed and which activities or drivers are excluded.[1]
If your test uses a customer vehicle, ask separately how it is treated while your team drives, stores, or modifies it. The vehicle schedule and policy language matter more than the broad line label.[1]
Read the Automotive Insurance Buying Guide
Sources and Further Reading
- Commercial Insurance Guide — California Department of Insurance. Revised June 14, 2024: commercial property, inland marine, boiler and machinery, commercial general liability, products/completed operations, commercial auto, umbrella, and workers compensation.
California guide to property, CGL, commercial auto, and product/completed-operations concepts; specific auto forms still need review.
- Vehicle Manufacturers — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Manufacturer resources for Early Warning Reporting, recalls, and safety defects.
Manufacturer safety-defect and recall resources to help identify role-specific reporting questions.
Spot, a product of Tools for Enlightenment, publishes this guide and works in the commercial insurance market. This is general buyer education; policy terms and state-specific obligations determine coverage and requirements.
Updated 2026-09-28. Editorial Policy
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