Every year on average one-third of small commercial trucking businesses are at risk of closure due to insufficient insurance coverage!
This statistic was influenced by many commercial auto carriers exiting the marketplace, leaving truckers vulnerable to significant financial risks. From a trucker's perspective, uninsured costs related to medical treatment, defense & legal procedures arising from injury or claims, and lawsuits are out of pocket expenses, that could cripple your business.
Challenges Faced in Long Haul Trucking
- Truck driving is a dangerous job. Truck drivers are exposed to increased risk of road accidents, not only on account of the rough terrain, poor road conditions, bad weather and chaotic traffic but also because of the long drives, inadequate breaks and irregular rest and sleep. If this isn’t enough, truck drivers must deal with the pressure and stress of meeting tight delivery schedules.
- Beyond the physical demands, long haul truckers are also vulnerable to criminal activity, with thefts and robberies at truck stops and parking lots posing a constant threat.
- Many insurance companies are hesitant to provide coverage to long haul truckers because of their high exposure to risk. Coverage is often limited to companies that operate their fleets within a 300 - 500 mile radius.
Long Haul Truck Insurance is specially designed for owner-operators, as well as small and large fleet operators in the long-haul trucking industry. To find the best coverage options, consider contacting a local insurance professional, or read further to get more information about your specific needs.
Who needs commercial truck insurance?
Important individuals and entities that can benefit from this form of insurance include:
- Owner-Operators
- Fleet Owners
- Trucking Companies
- Commercial Drivers
- Interstate Operators
- Intrastate Operators
What is Long-Haul Truck Insurance?
Standard commercial vehicle insurance typically caters to local or regional operations, offering more limited coverage without the additional protections necessary for long haul trucking. In contrast, long haul truck insurance is specifically designed for trucks traveling extensive distances, often over 300 miles and across state lines, facing higher risk exposure and stricter regulatory requirements.
According to the Department of Transportation, liability insurance is mandatory for commercial trucks to operate. Trucking accidents involving fully loaded, large, long-haul trucks can be catastrophic. Secondary damage can be severe when trucks carrying dangerous cargo such as gasoline or inflammable chemicals are involved in vehicle collisions.
In commercial truck accidents, both trucking company and truck driver may be held liable.
Policy Highlights Include:
Truckers General Liability Coverage
- Bodily Injury: Covers medical expenses, lost wages, and legal fees if the truck driver is at fault in an accident that injures another person.
- Property Damage: Pays for repairs or replacement of other vehicles or property damaged by the truck in an accident.
Liability insurance includes coverage for accidents that occur during loading and unloading as well as wrong delivery of products, delivery of damaged goods, or failure to deliver goods in accordance with terms of sale.
Physical Damage Coverage
- Collision Coverage: Covers damage to the truck resulting from a collision with another vehicle or object.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Protects against non-collision-related incidents such as theft, vandalism, fire, hail, and animal strikes.
Motor Truck Cargo Insurance
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires that inter-state owner operators especially, are covered with Motor Cargo Insurance. Most shippers refuse to work with owner operators who do not carry this insurance.
- Cargo Loss: Covers the value of goods lost or damaged during transit due to collisions, theft, or other covered events.
- Specialized Cargo: Additional coverage options for high-value or sensitive cargo, like electronics, pharmaceuticals, or perishable goods.
Non-Trucking Liability (Bobtail Insurance)
- Personal Use: Provides liability coverage when the truck is being used for non-business purposes, such as driving home from a job.
- Deadheading: Covers the truck when it is traveling without a trailer, often after delivering a load.
Medical Payments Coverage
- Driver and Passengers: Pays for medical and funeral expenses for the driver and any passengers regardless of who is at fault in the accident.
- Coverage Limits: Typically, has defined limits per person and per accident.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
- Uninsured Motorist: Covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages if the truck driver is hit by an uninsured driver.
- Underinsured Motorist: Covers the gap between the at-fault driver’s insurance limit and the actual cost of damages if their insurance is insufficient.
Downtime Coverage
- Income Compensation: Provides a daily stipend or lump sum payment to cover lost income while the truck is being repaired after a covered loss.
- Rental Reimbursement: Covers the cost of renting a replacement vehicle during the downtime.
Personal Effects Coverage
- Driver's Belongings: Covers personal items like clothing, electronics, tools, and other personal property stored in the truck.
- Specified Limits: Usually has a per-item limit and an overall maximum payout.
Trailer Interchange Insurance
- Non-Owned Trailers: Covers physical damage to trailers that the trucking company does not own but is using under a trailer interchange agreement.
- Varied Perils: Protects against risks such as collision, fire, theft, and vandalism while the trailer is in the trucker’s possession.
In the tough world of long-haul trucking, where every mile can churn up a new challenge, not everyone can keep pace. Insurance is your lifeline in the face of this uncertainty. Get an instant quote now and see how affordable protection can be.