Quick Verdict
Before hiring any junk removal company in Oregon, verify three separate insurance policies: general liability (at minimum one million dollars per occurrence), commercial auto liability, and workers' compensation. Together these three policies mean that damage to your home, a traffic accident caused by their truck, and injury to a crew member in your house are all covered by the hauler's insurance rather than your homeowner's policy. The single most important proof to request is a current Certificate of Insurance (COI), which takes a reputable company less than one business day to produce.
Why Most Homeowners Get This Wrong
Most people assume that if a junk removal truck has a logo, the company is insured. That assumption costs thousands of dollars when a crew scratches the hardwood floor dragging a dresser, or worse, when a crew member injures their back lifting your washing machine and files a claim against your homeowner's policy.
The failure mode is simple: the hauler either has no insurance, or the policy is expired, or it does not cover the specific exposure that caused the damage. You only find out after the claim is denied.
A 5-minute insurance check before booking prevents all of this.
The Three Coverages That Matter
1. General Liability (GL) -- Minimum one million dollars per occurrence
General liability covers damage to your property or injury to you (a third party) caused by the hauler's operations. This is the policy that pays when:
- A crew member scratches your hardwood floor
- A truck ramp damages your driveway
- A dropped item breaks a window or drywall
- A fallen item injures you or a family member
Industry standard for Oregon junk removal is one million dollars per occurrence, two million aggregate. Anything less is below professional norms.
2. Commercial Auto Liability
Commercial auto coverage handles accidents caused by the hauler's truck -- on the road, in your driveway, or backing into a utility pole. A personal auto policy does not cover commercial use, so a truck registered commercially must be insured commercially.
Look for at least one million dollars combined single limit.
3. Workers' Compensation
Oregon law (ORS 656) requires most employers to carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees. If a crew member is injured on your property and the hauler has no workers' comp, the worker may file against your homeowner's liability policy. This is the quietest and most dangerous exposure.
Workers' comp coverage is verified by Oregon's Workers' Compensation Division and should be current.
How to Request and Verify a COI
The Certificate of Insurance Explained
A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is a one-page document issued by the hauler's insurance broker that summarizes current policies in force. It shows:
- The insured company name and address
- The insurance carrier
- Policy numbers for GL, auto, and workers' comp
- Coverage limits
- Policy effective and expiration dates
- Certificate holder (the party receiving the document -- you)
Step-by-Step Verification
Request the COI by email. A reputable hauler sends it within one business day, often within hours.
Check policy dates. The policies must be active on your scheduled job date. Expired or soon-expiring policies are a red flag.
Check coverage limits. GL should be at least one million per occurrence and two million aggregate. Auto should be at least one million CSL. Workers' comp should show "Statutory."
Verify the insurance carrier exists. Google the carrier name. A legitimate commercial insurance carrier will have a consumer-facing website. Unknown or sketchy carrier names are worth double-checking.
For high-value jobs, request to be added as a certificate holder. This means the insurance broker will notify you directly if policies lapse before your job.
Sample COI Language
A real COI for an Oregon junk removal company will include lines similar to:
- "Commercial General Liability, Each Occurrence: 1,000,000, General Aggregate: 2,000,000"
- "Commercial Auto Liability, Combined Single Limit: 1,000,000"
- "Workers' Compensation, Statutory -- Oregon"
- "Policy Effective: 2026-01-01, Policy Expiration: 2027-01-01"
If any of these are missing, ask for clarification.
Red Flags to Walk Away From
- No COI willingness. "We don't really share that" or "it's not necessary for small jobs" both mean no coverage or expired coverage.
- Handwritten or unprofessional COI. Legitimate COIs are issued by licensed insurance brokers on standard ACORD form 25.
- Expired dates. Policies that expired last month are not in force.
- Coverage limits below half a million in GL. This is substandard for professional hauling.
- No workers' comp listed. Unless the hauler can document they are a sole proprietor with no employees, missing workers' comp is a serious risk to you.
What a Good Company Looks Like
A well-run junk removal company has a COI ready to email, carries at least one million / two million in GL, commercial auto coverage, and workers' comp for all crew members. They do not hesitate when asked, and they understand why you are asking.
Companies like Otesse keep the current COI on file and can email it to any customer on request, before the job begins. For a full vetting workflow, see our how to choose a junk removal company guide.
License and Bond: A Separate Check
Insurance is one of three financial protections worth verifying. Bond and license are the other two. For CCB licensing requirements (which apply to demolition work, not standard hauling), see junk removal license and bond check.
Verifying With the Oregon Workers' Compensation Division
You can verify any Oregon employer's workers' compensation coverage through the state's Workers' Compensation Division public lookup. Enter the company name, and current coverage status appears.
This is a useful independent check, because it comes directly from the state rather than from the hauler's broker.
What to Do if Something Goes Wrong After the Job
If damage occurs and you confirmed insurance in advance:
- Photograph the damage immediately.
- Notify the hauler in writing within 24 hours.
- Request the hauler's insurance claim number.
- File a claim with the carrier directly if the hauler delays.
Having the COI in hand means you know exactly which carrier to contact and what policy covers the damage.
FAQ
How much does requesting a COI delay the booking? Usually less than a business day. Any legitimate company sends it quickly.
Do I pay for the COI request? No. It is issued by the hauler's insurance broker at no charge to customers.
What if the job is a small single-item haul? Insurance matters regardless of job size. A scratched hardwood floor from a single dresser costs the same whether you were hauling one item or twenty.
Does homeowner insurance cover damage from hired contractors? Typically no. The contractor's policy is primary. This is why vetting insurance before the job is essential.
Can I hire Otesse and see a real COI? Yes. Request it and we will email it before the crew arrives.
Request the COI Before You Book
Whoever you hire, ask for a current certificate of insurance before the job, and contact Otesse for a written quote to compare.
