Independent Truckers
are the backbone of America.
We insure them.
Local, intermediate
or long haul. Most commodities acceptable.
Primary and excess liability, physical damage, NTL, general liability, cargo,
workers comp, and umbrella available.
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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. ,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 agent, who understands
the trucking industry so that you purchase the right insurance with the best
company at the lowest price.
