Client: A Riverside County welding contractor with one heavy-duty work truck · Coverage: Commercial Auto ($1M CSL) + excess liability endorsement over auto · Status: Bound
The problem
The contractor's excess policy sat over general liability only, so protection for the work truck stopped at the $1M auto limit. A materials-supplier customer was also asking for updated certificate details.
How Pierce helped
- Placed a new commercial auto policy with National General on the F-450 with $1M combined single limit, comp/collision, rental and tool-box equipment coverage
- Got the excess carrier to add the auto policy as scheduled underlying insurance, even though it usually won't write excess over an underlying term shorter than a year
- Explained excluded drivers and the need to keep the underlying $1M auto limit active
- Issued updated certificates directly to the customer's purchasing team
The result
The auto policy went active 09/15/2026, and the excess endorsement was added for $1,258, which put $5M of total liability protection over the truck. The customer confirmed it received the certificate.
Why it worked
Extending the existing excess was cheaper and quicker than buying a separate auto umbrella, and it closed the gap where the largest lawsuit exposure sat.
Related coverage
Welding Business Insurance · Contractors Insurance in California · Commercial Auto Insurance · Commercial Umbrella & Excess Liability Insurance · Request a Certificate of Insurance
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Client names and identifying details are withheld for privacy. This story is based on an actual account handled by our agency, as documented in our files. Coverage, pricing and results for your business depend on your own details.