Commercial auto insurance provides coverage for the cars, vans, and trucks used in conducting business. It can be purchased to cover all types of vehicles, from standard passenger cars to larger commercial vehicles such as box trucks, work vans, and service utility trucks. Different businesses require different types of commercial auto insurance. Commercial trucking insurance is a type of commercial auto insurance designed to protect against the risks associated with the trucking industry.
Why Are Insurance Requirements Different For Commercial Trucking?
Trucking is a different activity than driving in a commercial vehicle for work. Truck drivers are hauling large quantities of materials or merchandise across greater distances for many hours at a time, many times crossing state lines. They are subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations and required under those regulations to carry specific insurance minimums. The trucking industry faces different risks on a daily basis than a business that uses cars and vans to operate.
What Types Of Coverage Are Included In A Commercial Trucking Insurance Package?
The two basic types of commercial trucking insurance are general liability and primary liability. A standard general liability commercial truck insurance policy covers:
- Damage to property and commodities: It provides coverage for damage caused by your truck to someone else’s property, as well as damage to commodities you are hauling (e.g., if they are delivered to the wrong location).
- Bodily injury: If your truck causes injury to a person, your commercial trucking insurance will pay for resulting medical bills and cover you in case of a lawsuit. It can also help protect you from liability if another person is injured on your property.
- False advertising, libel, and slander: General liability coverage helps protect you against lawsuits for libel, slander, or false advertising. This protection may be needed if you use any type of advertising.
Primary liability insurance is also required for truckers under FMCSA regulations. It is designed to protect others from bodily injury or property damage if a truck causes an accident.
Can Other Types of Coverage Be Included In Commercial Trucking Insurance?
Speak with our knowledgeable agent for information about the different types of commercial trucking insurance you may need to fully protect your business.
Possible additional coverages may include:
- Bobtail insurance: This covers you for accidents that may occur when your truck is not being used for a job. Such a crash would involve just the truck, not the trailer.
- Reefer breakdown coverage: This policy endorsement covers costs of refrigeration breakdown, lost cargo, and damage to products (with certain exclusions) caused by a collision.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: If an uninsured or underinsured driver causes an accident involving your truck, you could be left holding the bag for resulting expenses. This coverage helps protect you in such an event.
- Motor truck cargo insurance: This insurance can help protect you from financial loss due to cargo damage caused by a disaster, such as an ice storm or a traffic jam.