Ideal Accounts and Risk Appetite
TRS targets a broad range of heavy vehicle and equipment businesses. This program is a strong fit for dealers and service operations handling:
- Boom trucks & bucket trucks
- Buses
- Construction equipment (loaders, excavators, etc.)
- Farming and agricultural equipment
- Forklifts and material handling equipment
- Logging trucks
- Truck/tractor and semi-trailer units
Pickup and delivery operations that travel beyond 300 miles are acceptable, so long-range transport and regional delivery accounts can be placed under this program.
Additional Exposures Considered
- Farm implements and implements dealers
- Horse and utility trailers
- Hitch and towing accessory installation
- On-site machining and light fabrication
- Storage and sale of uninstalled parts or supplies
- Welding operations (subject to underwriting)
Coverage Highlights
TRS combines a core set of garage and auto coverages with practical optional extensions designed for the heavy equipment marketplace. Available coverages include:
- Garage Liability – tailored for dealers and service operations with broadened coverage options
- Garagekeepers Legal Liability – physical damage for customer vehicles in your care, custody, or control
- Dealers Open Lot Coverage – for inventory on lot or yard
- Property Coverage – building, contents, equipment and business personal property
Optional Coverage Extensions
- Fire Legal Liability
- Personal and Advertising Injury (broadened GL)
- False Pretense Coverage
- Errors & Omissions for Dealers (limited E&O exposures)
- Identity Recovery
Related Premises & Operations Exposures
- Automobile parts or supplies sold over the counter without installation
- Retail items such as camping gear, work clothing, or kitchenware
- Concessionaires (snack bars, food/drink vendors on site)
- Mini-mart or grocery operations at dealer/service locations
Underwriting Notes
TRS underwrites on both admitted and non-admitted paper, with placement decided by the state and the individual risk. There is no published minimum premium; each submission is evaluated on operations, vehicle exposure, loss history, and desired coverages. Accounts involving long-distance transport, on-site machining, or welding are acceptable but will be reviewed against standard underwriting criteria and controls.
Territory and Availability
This program is regularly available in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Coverage outside these states may be considered on a brokerage basis depending on the risk and market appetite.
Why Work With Transportation Risk Services?
Based in Barrington, IL, Transportation Risk Services is an experienced MGA and wholesale broker focused on transportation and heavy auto risks. TRS provides agents with direct access to transportation-savvy underwriters and an A-rated carrier appetite for garage, auto liability, physical damage, cargo, and contractor’s equipment exposures.
Practical benefits for agents include flexible admitted and E&S placement options, tailored garage forms for dealers and service shops, and underwriting that understands vehicle transit and heavy equipment handling. You might bring TRS an account such as a regional semi-trailer dealer who sells and delivers units across three states, or a rural agricultural equipment dealership that performs on-site welding and installs hitches — both are examples the program is built to consider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of accounts are a good fit for this program?
This program is designed for dealerships and service operations that sell, service, store, or transport heavy vehicles and equipment — examples include boom trucks, construction machinery, buses, and farm equipment dealers.
Can this program accommodate long-distance transportation of vehicles?
Yes. Pickup and delivery beyond 300 miles are acceptable under the program’s underwriting guidelines, making it suitable for regional transport and delivery operations.
Is coverage available on admitted paper?
Yes. TRS can place accounts on both admitted and non-admitted paper depending on the state and the specifics of the risk.
What additional exposures can be considered?
Secondary operations such as hitch installation, limited welding, on-site machining, and the sale of uninstalled parts or supplies can be considered, subject to underwriting review.
Which states is this program currently available in?
This program is available in IL, IA, MI, MN, and WI. Other states may be considered on a brokerage basis.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.