Commercial truck insurance: According to research, trucks are the most used transportation method between the USA and its neighbors. Reports show that trucking companies will employ over 3 million drivers in 2024 and about 7 million workers in industry-related jobs. Considering the amount of risk truck drivers face in their daily operations, it’s no wonder insurance companies offer commercial truck insurance coverage. This coverage protects trucking companies, employees, and business owners.
If you own a commercial truck, getting the right insurance is crucial to protecting your business and assets. It provides coverage specifically tailored to the unique needs of trucking operations. From small delivery trucks to large freight haulers, these policies offer financial protection against various risks, including accidents, cargo damage, and liability claims. Whether you operate a single truck or manage a fleet, finding the right commercial truck insurance can give you the peace of mind to focus on running your business smoothly.
What is Commercial Truck Insurance?
This coverage protects large vehicles that are used for transportation and shipping, agriculture, and construction. Commercial truck insurance policies are part of car insurance policies. But for transportation businesses, commercial truckers. Depending on your type of business, you will need different policies to provide legal and financial support for liabilities you could face.
Commercial truck insurance usually covers damage to the truck and any injuries or damage it causes. Some policies also cover lost or damaged cargo, which is important if you carry valuable loads. If you own or drive a commercial truck, it’s really important to have enough insurance. It keeps your company safe if something happens with your truck. And remember, insurance also covers your drivers when they’re using the truck for business.
Who needs Commercial Truck Insurance?
If any of the below apply to you, then you should consider purchasing an adequate insurance policy.
- You make use of the truck for business purposes.
- You operate or own a commercial truck.
- If you are a trucking contractor,
- You transport passengers or cars in your truck.
- Your state requires you to have commercial truck insurance.
If you own and make use of a truck for commercial or business purposes, you should strongly consider purchasing this coverage. Whether you have just one truck or a fleet of trucks, the risk of facing an unexpected event that could cause bad financial damage is very real. Unforeseen circumstances could damage the cargo, and you could end up with a huge debt from clients asking you to repay their losses.
What type of businesses use Commercial Truck Insurance?
Businesses that purchase this coverage typically fall into the following categories: Check them out.
- Motor Carriers: These businesses either hire owner-operators or have their vehicles transport their cars. The amount of coverage needed will vary depending on the type of business.
- Owner-operators: if you work under your authority and own a truck, your insurance needs are different from those of owners with a lease contract with a motor carrier.
- Private carriers: if you make use of your vehicle to transport goods for another employer or your own company, you should purchase private carrier insurance.
If you are not sure if you need this policy, you can always contact an insurance agent who can help you with all your insurance needs. You can also check with your state Department of Motor Vehicles.
What type of Coverage do you need?
The commercial truck coverage you need will depend on your business characteristics and unique risk exposures. However, below are some of the policies we recommend that trucking businesses consider to protect their operations.
Commercial auto liability insurance
Commercial auto insurance, also known as business auto insurance or commercial vehicle insurance, covers vehicles used for business purposes. This includes trucks used for transportation. It’s important to understand that truck insurance is a part of commercial auto insurance, which offers comprehensive coverage.
This type of insurance provides coverage for injuries, property damage, and medical payments resulting from accidents involving your commercial vehicles. It also protects against losses from theft, vandalism, weather conditions, and crashes.
Commercial auto insurance differs from personal auto insurance because the risks involved in commercial trucking are greater. While it primarily protects business owners and their assets, it also extends coverage to workers and hired drivers who operate vehicles for commercial purposes.
Physical damage
This policy add-on helps to cover the damages caused to the policyholder’s vehicle. It includes comprehensive collision coverage and non-collision damages such as theft or vandalism. It will cover the replacement or repair cost and other expenses that show up while the vehicle is being repaired.
Motor Truck Cargo Insurance
Motor truck cargo insurance is a type of insurance that protects the goods being carried in a commercial truck. It’s different from insurance that covers the truck itself. This policy safeguards the trucking company if the transported goods are damaged, lost, or stolen during transit.
In case of accidents or disasters such as fires or collisions, this coverage ensures that the freight being transported by a for-hire trucker is protected. Truckers need to have the right insurance while their cargo is in transit.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists
If your truck gets into an accident caused by someone without insurance, you might end up with repair bills. But if you have uninsured or underinsured coverage, your insurance company steps in to cover the costs. Sometimes, they might need you to take legal action against the uninsured driver to get their money back.
Motor Truck General Liability Insurance
Motor truck general liability insurance keeps your trucking company safe if someone gets hurt or property gets damaged because of your company’s mistakes. It’s usually a must-have for commercial truck businesses and is required by most states and risk managers. For instance, if a customer slips and falls at your place, they might sue for medical costs and lost wages. Your insurance would help cover these claims, along with damage claims for property or accusations of libel or slander.
Non-Trucking Liability Insurance
Non-trucking liability insurance protects your trucking company when you use your truck for personal reasons instead of business. It’s crucial for truckers who use their trucks for errands or giving friends rides, but it usually doesn’t cover transporting cargo.
Rental Reimbursement with Downtime Coverage
Getting this insurance means truckers get a rental truck or money for lost income when their main truck can’t be used after a crash. It helps keep your trucking business earning money even if you can’t drive because your truck is out of action. It is a type of insurance that reimburses your company for renting a replacement vehicle while your truck is not in order.
The policy limit sets how much the insurance company pays for the rental truck, usually covering up to 30 days of rental costs. Some insurers can even help you find a rental truck. This coverage is often bundled into one policy, although some companies offer separate policies—one for rental truck costs and the other for lost income.
How much does Commercial Truck Insurance cost?
Many things can affect the cost of this policy. Some of these things include the size of your company, the business location, the type of goods you transport, the claim history and driving records your company has had, the type of vehicles you use, the deductible, and the amount of coverage you chose. So, keep in mind that the premium can vary depending on these factors.
Where can I purchase Commercial Truck Insurance?
Finding a company that provides the best commercial truck insurance depends on your budget and your unique needs. Here are some of the top insurance companies you can start with:
- Progressive
- State Farm
- Berkshire Hathaway
- State Farm
- OOIDA
- Hartford
- Nationwide
- National independent
- Sentry
Visit any of the above commercial truck insurance websites and compare quotes. Ensure that you compare different quotes to get the best one that matches your unique needs and budget. Commercial trucking insurance helps safeguard your assets by covering liability and reducing the chances of lawsuits. It also includes medical and property damage coverage to protect your valuable assets from risk. Plus, many companies offer discounts, like tracking discounts, if you install a tracking device.