Is a concrete pump boom accident covered by auto insurance or general liability?
Commercial insurance broker
Whether a concrete pump boom accident is covered by auto insurance or general liability depends on the specific wording of both policies and the facts of the loss. There isn't a single universal answer, which is why pumping companies need to address it before a claim happens.
The issue comes from the dual nature of a pump truck. On the road it's clearly an auto. On the jobsite, with outriggers deployed and the boom in operation, it functions as equipment. Commercial auto and general liability policies each define autos and mobile equipment, and each contains language addressing equipment attached to vehicles. Depending on how those definitions and exclusions interact, an injury caused by boom operations could fall under one policy, the other, or, in the worst case, neither.
The safest approach is to have both policies reviewed together, ideally with coverage placed in a way that's coordinated rather than built separately. Ask your broker specifically how your auto and general liability policies treat injuries and damage caused by boom and pumping operations, and whether any endorsements are needed to close gaps. It's also worth checking how your umbrella or excess policy follows the underlying coverage.
This is general information. The actual answer for your company depends on your policies, your contracts, and the circumstances of any loss.