What Are the Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements?
Understanding the Many Truck Insurance Coverages
The following is an insurance summary of basic truck insurance coverages for the truck and transportation industry.
Insurance is one of the largest fixed expenses that a trucker or trucking company faces today. It is one area that all individuals and companies need to revisit at least annually to make sure their needs are being met.
There are various factors that impact insurance costs, such driving records, age of the driver, age of equipment, commodities hauled, radius, vehicle location, loss history, years in business and the list goes on. There are several types of trucking-related insurance coverages:
Physical Damage insurance is coverage for your truck and trailer. Your premium is based on the value of your equipment. Usually a percentage of the value. This coverage is not required by law but if you finance your vehicle the lienholder will require it. It is important to insure your vehicle for the real value. Not over or under value the vehicle as the insurance company will only pay market value at the time of the loss.
Primary Auto Liability insurance is required by federal regulations. Every carrier must carry liability insurance on every rig even on leased units. Liability insurance protects you when a third party is injured in an accident. Owner-operators should ask when leasing onto a company who will pay for their insurance – the company or from driver weekly settlements.
General Liability insurance protects the business for any property damage or bodily injury that might occur which does not involve a truck. Typical examples of this would include the slip and fall exposure at your place of business, advertising related exposures, and/or contractual exposures you may get involved in.
Non-Trucking Liability insurance pays for an accident when the driver/truck is not under dispatch. The coverage is sometimes referred to as deadhead coverage or bobtail liability.
Non-Owned Trailer Liability coverage protects the trailer you are pulling for someone else.
Non-Owned Trailer Physical Damage coverage insures the trailer you are pulling for someone else in the event of loss. $20,000 is somewhat standard for trailers.
Trailer-Interchange Liability coverage protects a trailer you are pulling when there is a interchange agreement in force. For example with a steamship line.
Cargo Insurance covers damage/loss to freight in transit. This coverage can have many exclusions such as unattended vehicle, maximum theft limitations on target commodities such as garments, liquor, electronics and a whole host of others. It is very important to read this policy closely in the event you think you may be covered for something and you are not.
Terminal Coverage protects freight located at specified terminals in the event of loss. Usually there are time limitations related to this coverage. For example: 72 hours maximum per specified load. If the goods are stored longer than the terminal time you would most likely want to purchase Warehouse Legal coverage. Again very important to read your policy. This amount of coverage is dependent on the total amount of goods stored/docked/off-loaded at any one time.
Warehouse Legal coverage protects goods stored at specified locations in the event of loss. For example as relates to theft, fire, sprinkler damage. This amount of coverage is dependent on the total amount of goods stored at the location at any one time.
Once you have determined what insurance coverages you desire or need then you can rate shop. It is essential to work with an insurance brokerage, like Western Truck Insurance Services, who understands the trucking industry so that you purchase the right insurance with the best company at the lowest price.
When was the last time you got an insurance quote for your trucking company? You need to make sure you are properly covered to protect yourself and your customers. Just primary liability coverage will not do the trick in this industry. Commercial truck insurance can be confusing and a lot of new owner-operators in the industry have questions about commercial truck insurance requirements. If you’re one of them, you came to the right place! Here we will be taking a deeper look at the world of trucking insurance. As a business owner, the insurance coverage you get for your trucking business is much different than your personal auto insurance.
We offer the cheapest trucking insurance rates in the following cities and towns in Florida:
Boca Raton
Daytona Beach
Fort Lauderdale
Hollywood
Jacksonville
Miami
Miami Beach
North Miami Beach
Orlando
Palm Coast
Tallahassee
Tampa
Saint Johns
St. Petersburg
Hialeah
Port St. Lucie
Cape Coral
Pembroke Pines
Gainesville
Miramar
Coral Springs
Palm Bay
West Palm Beach
Clearwater
Brandon
Lehigh Acres
Spring Hill
Lakeland
Pompano Beach
Miami Gardens
Riverview
Davie
Sunrise
Deltona
Alafaya
Plantation
Deerfield Beach
Fort Myers
Town ‘n’ Country
Melbourne
Largo
Homestead
Boynton Beach
Kendall
Kissimmee
The Villages
Doral
North Port
Lauderhill
Tamarac
Poinciana
Weston
Delray Beach
Pine Hills
Wesley Chapel
Ocala
Port Orange
Wellington
Palm Harbor
Sanford
Jupiter
Port Charlotte
North Miami
Fountainebleau
The Hammocks
Palm Beach Gardens
St. Cloud
Margate
Horizon West
Coconut Creek
Westchester
Four Corners
Bradenton
Kendale Lakes
Apopka
Sarasota
Pensacola
Tamiami
Bonita Springs
Pinellas Park
University
Country Club
Coral Gables
Winter Haven
Titusville
Fort Pierce
Ocoee
Winter Garden
Altamonte Springs
Cutler Bay
University CDP
North Lauderdale
Oakland Park
Greenacres
Meadow Woods
Ormond Beach
Clermont
North Fort Myers
The Acreage
Hallandale Beach
Navarre
Aventura
Oviedo
Plant City
Princeton
Royal Palm Beach
Winter Springs
Lake Worth
Valrico
Riviera Beach
DeLand
Estero
South Miami Heights
Egypt Lake-Leto
Kendall West
Dunedin
Lauderdale Lakes
Land O’ Lakes
Richmond West
Parkland
Merritt Island
Cooper City
Carrollwood
West Little River
Panama City
Golden Glades
East Lake
Fruit Cove
Dania Beach
Lakeside
Oakleaf Plantation
Sun City Center
Lake Magdalene
Miami Lakes
Buenaventura Lakes
New Smyrna Beach
Ferry Pass
Winter Park
Fleming Island
Casselberry
Ruskin
Citrus Park
East Lake-Orient Park
Vero Beach South
Rockledge
Crestview
Leesburg
Palm Springs
South Bradenton
Bayonet Point
Temple Terrace
Haines City
University Park
Key West
Leisure City
Wright
Palm River-Clair Mel
Apollo Beach
Westchase
West Melbourne
Palm City
Bellview
Venice
Golden Gate
Keystone
Tarpon Springs
Oak Ridge
Sebastian
Ives Estates
Holiday
Silver Springs Shores
Pace
Fish Hawk
Immokalee
Palmetto Bay
Hunters Creek
Jacksonville Beach
Ensley
Lutz
Port St. John
Brent
Wekiwa Springs
The Crossings
Eustis
Coral Terrace
Edgewater
Hialeah Gardens
Northdale
Bloomingdale
Nocatee
Sunny Isles Beach
DeBary
World Golf Village
Palm Valley
Jasmine Estates
Florida Ridge
Lealman
West Pensacola
Fort Walton Beach
Englewood
Glenvar Heights
Bayshore Gardens
Ojus
Midway CDP
Maitland
Punta Gorda
Seminole
Sweetwater
Bartow
Naples
Cocoa
Tavares
Lake Butler
Lynn Haven
Gibsonton
San Carlos Park
Groveland
Pinecrest
Panama City Beach
Stuart
Pinewood
Myrtle Grove
Zephyrhills
Safety Harbor
Country Walk
Iona
Lake Mary
New Port Richey
Belle Glade
Viera West
Brownsville
Three Lakes
Opa-locka
West Lealman
Lake Wales
Vero Beach
Mount Dora
Southchase
Lady Lake
Sunset
Upper Grand Lagoon
Niceville
Marco Island
Wildwood
South Venice
Auburndale
Fruitville
Thonotosassa
Warrington
West Park
Longwood
Gladeview
Oldsmar
Key Biscayne
Forest City
Gonzalez
Elfers
Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace
St. Augustine
East Milton
Homosassa Springs
Yulee
Azalea Park
Lockhart
Destin
Miami Springs
Minneola
Cypress Lake
Conway
Atlantic Beach
Naranja
Palmetto Estates
Goldenrod
Palmetto
Hobe Sound
North Palm Beach
Florida City
Fernandina Beach
Callaway
Holly Hill
Hudson
Middleburg
Olympia Heights
South Daytona
Mango
Villas
Jensen Beach
Orange City
Jupiter Farms
Cheval
Sarasota Springs
Lakewood Park
Key Largo
Highland City
Lake City
Doctor Phillips
Lakeland Highlands
Laurel
South Miami
Trinity
Gulfport
Shady Hills
Viera East
Miami Shores
Lantana
Goulds
Wilton Manors
Westwood Lakes
Cocoa Beach
Satellite Beach
Sugarmill Woods
Progress Village
Celebration
Pine Castle
Pasadena Hills
Gulf Gate Estates
Pine Ridge
Asbury Lake
New Port Richey East
Medulla
Sebring
Fairview Shores
West Perrine
Alachua
Lighthouse Point
Fuller Heights
Union Park
Palatka
Port Salerno
Gateway
Citrus Springs
Milton
Cypress Gardens
Rotonda
West Vero Corridor
Cape Canaveral
Beverly Hills
Bee Ridge
Westview
Bardmoor
Bithlo
Green Cove Springs
Marathon
Avon Park
Pebble Creek
Micco
Wimauma
Citrus Hills
Hernando
Palm Beach
North Weeki Wachee
Orange Park
Lake Park
Davenport
Memphis
Indian Harbour Beach
Richmond Heights
Brooksville
St. Pete Beach
St. Augustine Shores
Westgate
Seffner
Fruitland Park
Beacon Square
Fern Park
North Bay Village
Odessa
Springfield
Wedgefield
Miramar Beach
McGregor
Quincy
Williamsburg
Broadview Park
Lely Resort
Southwest Ranches
Inverness
Longboat Key
Arcadia
Newberry
Mims
Clewiston
Ormond-by-the-Sea
Macclenny
Dade City
West Miami
Sky Lake
Neptune Beach
Lake Lorraine
Islamorada, Village of Islands
Belle Isle
Inwood
Fort Pierce North
Perry
Heathrow, Orlovista, and Willow Oak
St. Augustine Beach and South Apopka
Live Oak
Inverness Highlands South
Osprey
Pelican Bay
Mascotte
Treasure Island and Indian River Estates
Indiantown
Balm
River Park
South Patrick Shores
Kathleen
West Samoset
Sanibel
Lake Alfred
Ocean City
Gulf Breeze
Lecanto
Southeast Arcadia
Southgate
Pembroke Park
Marianna
High Springs
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Tequesta
South Gate Ridge
Cocoa West
Jan Phyl Village
Bay Harbor Islands
DeFuniak Springs
Combee Settlement
Orangetree
Freeport
Lochmoor Waterway Estates
Starke
Fort Myers Shores
Crystal Lake
Surfside
Fort Myers Beach
Nassau Village-Ratliff
Fussels Corner
Zephyrhills West
Pahokee
Gifford
Three Oaks
Siesta Key
Port LaBelle
Warm Mineral Springs
Loughman
Belleview
Rio Pinar
Sawgrass
South Pasadena
Connerton
Floral City
Okeechobee
Dundee
Fort Pierce South
Daytona Beach Shores
Timber Pines
Flagler Beach
South Sarasota
Naples Manor
River Ridge
Fort Meade
Naples Park
St. Augustine South
Ridge Wood Heights
Kenneth City
The Meadows
Plantation CDP
Palm Springs North
Bay Hill
South Highpoint
Hutchinson Island South
Zephyrhills South
Butler Beach
LaBelle
Wauchula
Samsula-Spruce Creek
South Bay
Tice and Crawfordville
Whiskey Creek
Fellsmere
Moon Lake
Valparaiso
Ridge Manor
Stock Island
Brookridge
Big Pine Key
Grant-Valkaria
Taylor Creek
Bagdad
Buckingham
Mount Plymouth
Wahneta
Lower Grand Lagoon
Laguna Beach
South Brooksville
Highland Beach
June Park
Belleair
West Bradenton
Indian River Shores
Samoset
Ellenton
Pine Manor
Cortez
Suncoast Estates
Holden Heights
Woodville
Alturas
Lake Panasoffkee
Parker
Mary Esther
Lake Sarasota
Mulberry
West DeLand
Madeira Beach
Vineyards
St. James City
High Point
Wallace
Juno Beach
Tierra Verde
Pea Ridge
Charlotte Harbor
White City
San Castle
South Beach
Kensington Park
Lely
Umatilla
Indian Rocks Beach
Chipley
Jasper
Feather Sound
Lake Clarke Shores
Flagler Estates
Midway
Oakland
North Brooksville
Watergate and North River Shores
Point Baker
Cleveland
Harbour Heights
Venice Gardens
Crystal River
Goulding
Ponce Inlet
Port St. Joe
Loxahatchee Groves
Montura
Tiger Point
Clarcona
Bunnell
Dover
Tangerine
Melbourne Beach
Nokomis
Cedar Grove
Winter Beach
Biscayne Park
Sharpes
Bay Pines
Bal Harbour
Port Richey
Bushnell
Windermere
Watertown
Holmes Beach and Indialantic
Eagle Lake
Eglin AFB
Dade City North
Whitfield
Williston
Hilliard
Ridgecrest
Chattahoochee
Malabar
Geneva
Madison
Pretty Bayou
Frostproof
Big Coppitt Key
Meadow Oaks and Lake Helen
Vamo
Island Walk
Bonifay
Zellwood
Roosevelt Gardens
Woodlawn Beach
Alva
Polk City and Verona Walk
Inverness Highlands North
Greenbriar
Hypoluxo
Edgewood
Charlotte Park
Zephyrhills North
Harbor Bluffs
De Leon Springs
Eastpoint
Campbell
Carrabelle
Williston Highlands
Monticello
Villano Beach
Seminole Manor
Tavernier
Chuluota
Grenelefe
Holley and Manatee Road
Cabana Colony
Tangelo Park
Hernando Beach
Harlem
Christmas
North Sarasota
Bowling Green
Virginia Gardens
St. Leo
Lake Placid
Eatonville
Apalachicola
Chiefland
Belleair Bluffs
Homosassa
Olga
Blountstown
Taft
Gotha
Hill ‘n Dale
Quail Ridge
Wabasso Beach
Pine Air
Haverhill
Redington Shores
Grove City
Heritage Pines
Glencoe
Graceville
Mangonia Park and Atlantis
Desoto Lakes
Silver Lake
Lake Belvedere Estates
Wewahitchka
Fort Denaud
East Bronson
Cudjoe Key
Trenton
Sewall’s Point
Hillsboro Beach
El Portal, Lake Butler city, and Oak Hill
Royal Palm Estates
Malone
Washington Park
Pine Island Center
Harlem Heights
Dunnellon
Bear Creek
Crooked Lake Park
Burnt Store Marina
Astatula
Bokeelia
Ocean Ridge
Lake Mary Jane
Astor
Havana
Zolfo Springs
Pine Ridge CDP
Century
Sneads
Cross City
Key Vista
Oriole Beach
Montverde
Crescent City
Howey-in-the-Hills
Belleair Beach
Wabasso
Punta Rassa
Roseland
East Palatka
Moore Haven
Pierson
Lake Hamilton
Callahan
Midway CDP
North DeLand
Buckhead Ridge
Yalaha
North Redington Beach
Hawthorne
Inglis
South Palm Beach
Plantation Mobile Home Park
Boulevard Gardens
Keystone Heights
Interlachen
Kenwood Estates
North Key Largo
Baldwin
Redington Beach
Gretna
Babson Park and Palm Beach Shores
Manasota Key
Limestone Creek
Patrick AFB
San Antonio
Molino
Crystal Springs
Hastings
Paradise Heights
Black Diamond
Palmona Park
Palm Shores
Black Hammock
Indian Shores
Juno Ridge
Fanning Springs
Bronson and Archer
Weeki Wachee Gardens
Lacoochee
Navarre Beach
Masaryktown
Five Points
Chumuckla
Medley and DeLand Southwest
Mayo
Lake Hart
Steinhatchee
Cypress Quarters
Franklin Park
Allentown
Homestead Base
Lake Mack-Forest Hills
St. George Island and Lake Kathryn
Rio and Paisley
Stacey Street
Anna Maria
Golden Beach
Gulf Stream
Bristol
Mexico Beach
Harold
Bradenton Beach
Westlake
Grand Ridge
Cottondale
Center Hill and Waldo
Sorrento
Crescent Beach
Andrews
Penney Farms
Pine Lakes
Gun Club Estates
Jupiter Island
Schall Circle
Key Colony Beach
Pomona Park
East Williston
Webster
Garden Grove
Pioneer
Jennings
Page Park
Greenville
White Springs
Shalimar
Panacea
Vernon
Duck Key
Avalon
Welaka
Branford
Cedar Key
Melbourne Village and Wiscon
Solana
Waverly
Micanopy
Coleman
Lemon Grove
Lawtey
Fort White
St. Lucie Village
Roeville
Matlacha
Yankeetown
Laurel Hill
Seville
Fisher Island
Paxton
Hosford
Ferndale
Bradley Junction
Sea Ranch Lakes
Greenwood
Brownsdale
Jay
Bell
Orchid
Lake Mystic
Ponce de Leon
Briny Breezes
Altha and Hillsboro Pines
Alford
Tildenville
Beverly Beach
Pineland
Spring Lake
McIntosh and Glen St. Mary
Greensboro
Garcon Point and Cinco Bayou
Reddick
Spring Ridge
Trilby
Hampton
Sopchoppy
Manalapan
Jupiter Inlet Colony
Acacia Villas
Worthington Springs
Lee
Wausau
Gardner
Wacissa
Raleigh
Everglades
Berrydale
Chokoloskee
Canal Point
Esto
Windsor
Munson
Mulat and Brooker
Aripeka
Floridatown
Captiva
La Crosse
Goodland and Whitfield CDP
Homeland
Ocean Breeze and Caryville
St. Marks
Westville
Waukeenah
Golf
Pine Level
Highland Park
Hillcrest Heights and Mount Carmel
Okahumpka
Ebro
Charleston Park and Yeehaw Junction
Nobleton
Lisbon
Pittman and Matlacha Isles-Matlacha Shores
Raiford
Jacob City and Glen Ridge
Layton
Noma
Ona
Dixonville
Campbellton
Fort Green Springs
Sumatra and Lloyd
Lamont
Springhill
Horseshoe Beach and Morriston
Dickerson City
Limestone
Tyndall AFB
Fidelis
Cloud Lake
Istachatta
Plantation Island
Otter Creek
Aucilla
Altoona
Lake Lindsey
Day
Bascom
Indian Creek
Fort Green and Cobbtown
Belleair Shore
Pine Island
Lake Harbor
Bayport
Lazy Lake
Bay Lake
Lake Buena Vista
Weeki Wachee
Marineland
Insurance is a truck driver’s best friend in a lot of ways. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will not let you operate without it. In fact, the FMCSA and Department of Transportation (DOT) require proof of liability insurance for your Operating Authority/MC Number application. Most shippers require proof of insurance before they will trust your company with their freight. As long as your insurance is in place, you have a working trucking company. Proof of coverage always needs to be handy for inspections or in the event of an accident.
Insurance is one of the most expensive purchases for a trucking company. The premiums require a large amount of upfront cash and the monthly payments can be in the thousands. But the incentive makes it worth the investment. An insurance company protects not only your business but your customers’ as well.
When a customer gives you freight to haul, they are trusting you with their business. Your customer needs that freight to reach its final destination in pristine condition because that freight represents their profits. Damaged freight could put your customer out of business. Having insurance shows your customers that you are able to protect their interests in case of an accident. It also protects you by covering a portion of the damages in the event of an accident.
Commercial Truck Insurance
There are many different coverage options within commercial truck insurance companies when it comes to insurance coverage. If you are hauling things like hazardous materials, the requirements can grow quickly. You want to make sure that you are working with a quality insurance provider that can properly advise you of your needs and help you find the right coverage. Some of the different coverage options out there may protect your truck but not the load that you are hauling. This could leave you in a bad spot if something goes wrong. As professional drivers, it’s wise to keep your driving records as clean as possible since that can be a huge factor in your ability to obtain coverage and the overall insurance costs.
Let’s take a look at some of the various types of trucking insurance policies that you may need depending on your situation:
Bobtail Insurance: This provides protection for a tractor when it is operated without a trailer, whether under dispatch or not. This can often be confused with Non-Trucking Liability Insurance, which covers your vehicle when you are using it for personal use.
Limited Depreciation Coverage: This policy will help to cover the gap between the fair market value that the insurance will likely pay out and what you owe on the vehicle, or the cost to replace the vehicle.
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance: Coverage to assist with out of pocket expenses for repairs.
Motor Truck Cargo Insurance: Covers non-hazardous freight or commodity and liability for cargo.
Motor Truck General Liability Insurance: This coverage protects motor carriers or for-hire truckers in claims for bodily injury, personal injury, property damage liability, advertising injury liability, medical payments, product & completed operations, and seven days or less coverage for damage to rented properties.