Insurance

The right commercial truck cargo insurance policy is essential for many truck drivers. These policies ensure any cargo you carry is covered in the event of an accident or theft – something that could otherwise cost trucking companies a great deal.

When searching for commercial truck cargo insurance, finding coverage that adequately protects your business and cargo is crucial. With so many different commercial truck insurance brokers out there, finding the best solution can be tricky.

To help you out, here are some of the top considerations to make when looking for commercial truck cargo insurance.

Coverage Types

Motor truck cargo insurance can include various types of coverage and policies. Each insurance provider will have their coverage options. The one you choose depends on what kind of trucking business you operate and how extensive your truck cargo coverage needs to be.

There are two main coverage options for motor truck cargo insurance. These are:

• Basic Cargo Coverage: Where your truck’s cargo is covered for the most common scenarios. Ensure the policy covers cargo loss or damage during transit. This is the core component of cargo insurance. These policies are the most affordable.
• Additional Coverages: This gives you greater cargo coverage to help you stay protected in a broader range of scenarios. Look for options like theft, fire, vandalism, and spoilage coverage, depending on the nature of your cargo.
  Look for options like theft, fire, vandalism, and spoilage coverage, depending on the nature of your cargo.

The best commercial truck insurance carriers should offer flexible coverage options to help you find a policy that perfectly aligns with your trucking business.

Coverage Limits

Motor truck cargo insurance can have some very strict coverage limits.

The greater your insurance premiums are, the more your coverage limit will be. Ultimately, the coverage limit you choose should make sense for the type of cargo you’re carrying, the nature of your trucking business, and how risky your routes are.

When looking into this, determine the maximum coverage amount per shipment. It should be sufficient to cover the total value of your cargo. Getting this right will help you choose an insurance company that offers adequate cargo coverage.

Verify if there are sub-limits for specific types of cargo, such as hazardous materials. This could impact how much coverage you have available.

Deductibles

Motor carriers need a clear idea of how deductibles work in their insurance policies, which is significant in how premiums are structured.

Understand the deductible amount you’ll be responsible for in case of a claim. Higher deductibles often mean lower premiums. This is usually something you can negotiate with your insurance agent.

Consider your financial capacity to handle deductibles when choosing a policy.

Premium Costs

Of course, a significant factor when choosing motor truck cargo insurance is the cost of the premiums.

Compare premiums from multiple insurers to find a competitive rate. Be cautious of excessively low premiums, which may indicate insufficient coverage or hidden costs. Always understand what your premiums cover and how the pricing has been calculated.

Cargo Types

Not all cargo insurance plans cover the same cargo. So, ensure the insurance policy covers the specific types of cargo you transport. Some policies may exclude certain goods.

If you carry specialized or high-value cargo, verify that it’s adequately covered. The cargo coverage should also align with the type of trucking business you operate. For example, for-hire truckers, passenger vans, freight forwarders, auto haulers, and box trucks may all require different cargo insurance options.

Geographic Coverage

If your trucking business operates across different states and countries, you’ll need to make sure your cargo insurance always offers enough coverage.

Confirm that the insurance policy covers your trucks’ regions and routes. The last thing you want is damaged cargo in an area that your insurance provider doesn’t cover.

Carrier Liability

Understand how the cargo insurance complements your carrier liability coverage. Cargo insurance often covers more than carrier liability alone.

Always determine how the two policies interact in case of a claim.

Claim Process

An essential part of choosing motor truck cargo insurance is understanding the claims process.

Familiarize yourself with the claims process, including reporting requirements, documentation, and timeframes. Choose an insurer with a reputation for efficient and fair claims processing.

Reputation and Financial Stability

Always research the insurer’s reputation and financial stability through customer reviews and ratings. A financially stable insurer is more likely to fulfill its obligations in case of a claim.

Bad reviews could signal motor carriers to avoid the insurance company.

Policy Exclusions and Conditions

Carefully read and understand the policy’s exclusions and conditions to avoid surprises during a claim. You might need to extend coverage options if the policy does not offer enough.

Seek clarification from the insurer on any ambiguous terms or clauses. If you aren’t fully aware of what the policy covers, then it’s not a good idea to sign into the insurance policy.

Customization Options

It’s always best to look for insurers that offer customizable policies to tailor coverage to your specific needs. Flexibility can help you adapt your coverage as your business grows or changes.

There’s a good chance your cargo coverage requirements will change over time. Truck drivers may suddenly start hauling high-value freight, which could require a policy change. Working with a flexible insurance provider will help you stay adequately covered.

Conclusion

Before finalizing your choice, consult with insurance professionals or brokers specializing in commercial truck cargo insurance. They can help you navigate the complexities of insurance policies and ensure you get the coverage that best suits your business’s needs. Take your time to find the right policy, as this is a crucial step in setting up your trucking business.

If you’re purchasing a new semi-truck, you’ll need to find the best possible deal for truck financing. Get in touch with us at Mission Financial, where we can help you secure funding for your ideal truck – even if you have a bad credit history.

Getting proper commercial insurance coverage is one of the most essential steps in starting a trucking business. The trouble is that many truck drivers struggle to get good coverage due to having high-risk profiles.

If you fall into the high-risk category, don’t worry. You can still take various options to secure the right insurance coverage for your business. We’ll explore some of these options below.

What is High-Risk Commercial Truck Insurance?

High-risk commercial truck insurance is a type of insurance specifically designed for trucking companies or owner-operators who are considered to have a higher risk of accidents or insurance claims than the average in the industry.

This type of insurance is necessary because the nature of the trucking business, with large and heavy vehicles on the road, poses inherent risks.

Here are some of the main factors that contribute to giving truck drivers a high-risk status:

Driving History: Trucking companies or drivers with a history of accidents, traffic violations, or other driving-related issues may be considered high-risk.

Cargo: Transporting hazardous materials, highly valuable cargo, or other specialized freight can increase the risk associated with the operation and may require specialized coverage.

Operating in High-Risk Areas: Trucking in regions with challenging road conditions, severe weather, or high traffic congestion can increase the likelihood of accidents and insurance claims.

New Ventures: New trucking businesses without a proven track record may be categorized as high-risk until they establish a history of safe operations.

High Mileage: Companies or drivers covering a significant number of miles each year may face higher risks simply due to the increased exposure to potential accidents.

Vehicle Size and Type: Larger and heavier trucks pose a greater risk on the road, and their insurance costs can reflect that increased risk.

High-risk commercial truck insurance is tailored to address these elevated risks. It typically offers liability coverage (damage to others), physical damage to the truck and cargo, medical payments, and other potential liabilities arising from commercial truck accidents or incidents.

Premiums for high-risk truck insurance are often higher than for standard policies because insurers must account for the increased likelihood of claims.

High-Risk Commercial Truck Insurance Options

Getting the right high-risk commercial truck insurance policy can be tricky. Many insurers are wary of dealing with high-risk candidates. However, various high-risk insurance companies do exist and they offer various solutions to match the needs of drivers and trucking businesses.

Here are some high-risk insurance options to consider:

Specialized High-Risk Insurers

Some insurance companies specialize in providing coverage for high-risk commercial trucking operations. These insurers may be more willing to work with businesses or drivers with a history of accidents or violations.

Many well-known insurance providers offer specialized high-risk policies to ensure they can offer coverage to all truck drivers.

Non-standard Insurance Providers

Non-standard insurance providers are another option for high-risk trucking. They cater to drivers or companies with a challenging risk profile.

While premiums may be higher, they can offer coverage when traditional insurers decline. These policies are often best for high-risk candidates who want to ensure they still get maximum coverage.

Assigned Risk Pools

Some states have assigned risk pools or state-run insurance programs for high-risk commercial trucking.

These programs are designed to ensure that every trucking company has access to insurance coverage, even if they are deemed high-risk. If you’re a high-risk truck driver, then be sure to check to see if assigned risk pools are available in your state.

Increased Deductibles

Consider opting for higher deductibles on your policy. While this means you’ll pay more out of pocket in the event of a claim, it can help lower your premium costs.

This is not necessarily a high-risk insurance policy type. Still, it is an option for candidates with a more significant risk profile. Commercial trucking insurance companies will often be more willing to take on higher-risk candidates if they’re happy with increased deductibles.

Risk Management

Maybe you’re struggling to find an insurance provider willing to take you on. While you can’t necessarily reduce your risk profile or history, you can actively work on making yourself more appealing to insurers.

Implementing a robust risk management program can demonstrate to insurers that you are actively working to reduce risk. This may include driver safety training, regular vehicle maintenance, and other safety measures.

Cargo Insurance

If your high-risk status is related to the type of cargo you transport (e.g., hazardous materials), consider purchasing specialized cargo insurance to cover potential losses or accidents involving the load.

Fleet Safety Programs

Implementing a comprehensive safety program focusing on accident prevention can help improve your risk profile over time. Insurers may offer lower premiums to companies with strong safety records.

Telematics and Tracking

Installing telematics devices and vehicle tracking systems can help monitor driver behavior and vehicle performance, reducing the risk of accidents and insurance claims. In fact, many commercial insurance providers offer these devices to help make their policies more flexible.

Financial Responsibility Bonds

Sometimes, you may need to obtain a financial responsibility bond to meet minimum insurance requirements. This bond ensures that you can cover potential liabilities in case of an accident.

Consult with an Insurance Broker

An insurance broker with experience in commercial trucking can help you find suitable coverage options, even in high-risk situations. They can shop around and negotiate on your behalf to find the best rates.

Conclusion

Finding high-risk commercial truck insurance may be difficult, but it’s far from impossible. Ensure you understand your high-risk trucking insurance options before searching for the right insurance company and planning to meet your needs.

If you’re looking for trucking insurance to purchase a vehicle, you’ll likely need to secure the best commercial truck financing for your needs. Contact Mission Financial; we can help even high-risk candidates secure the funding they need to purchase a semi-truck.

If you use vehicles to operate your business, one of the best things you can do to thrive is to get third-party commercial vehicle insurance.

Third-party commercial auto insurance policy offers excellent financial protection for your business. It minimizes significant financial losses due to unpredictable events when your business vehicles are on the road. This type of commercial vehicle insurance policy is also very affordable, so the costs of your business operations remain low.

Here is everything you need to know about third-party commercial auto insurance.

What Is Third-Party Commercial Vehicle Insurance?

Third-party business vehicle insurance is basic liability coverage for commercial motor vehicles. It covers losses, including property damage and bodily injury to third parties only (not you) if your business vehicles cause an accident.

It’s different from comprehensive insurance, which offers personal injury protection and collision coverage for your vehicles, even if you are the at-fault party in an accident.
‘Third party’ often refers to external entities involved in the accident and not associated with your company. This may be people or businesses.

How Does Third-Party Commercial Auto Insurance Policy Work?

Suppose you have third-party commercial auto insurance coverage for your business vehicles, and one of these vehicles is involved in an accident that causes harm to others and damage to their property. In that case, those affected individuals can take legal action to seek compensation for the injuries and property damage they’ve suffered.

In such a situation, your insurance provider will step in to cover the costs associated with the property damage and injuries sustained by the victims.

You won’t have to pay a dime out-of-pocket unless the claim made exceeds your business vehicle coverage limits. In such a scenario, you’ll pay for the amount above your commercial vehicle policy limit. Still, commercial vehicle insurance companies cover a chunk of the total cost needed to compensate victims of commercial vehicle accidents.

In addition to bodily injury and property damage compensation, your insurance provider covers your legal expenses throughout the lawsuit. A third-party commercial auto insurance cover ultimately saves your business from substantial financial losses in claim settlements and legal fees after an accident.

What Coverage Options Does Third-party Insurance Policy Provide?

Third-party commercial auto insurance policy offers two major types of liability coverage:

Bodily Injury Liability Coverage

Bodily injury commercial auto coverage includes medical payments coverage, where the insurance company covers the medical bills of third parties injured during the accident. These may be occupants of other vehicles involved in the accident or non-occupants like motorcyclists and pedestrians. Insurance providers also cover funeral expenses for third parties who lose their lives.

Property Damage Liability Coverage

Property damage liability insurance covers physical damages to others’ property in an accident. Third-party property damages extend beyond the damage to the injured victims’ cars and might include buildings nearby that get damaged as a result of your accident.

Insurance providers offer physical damage liability coverage through replacement costs settlements or actual cash value settlements.

Who Needs Third-Party Commercial Vehicle Insurance?

You need third-party commercial auto coverage if you own or lease vehicles and use them for business operations. It’s the basic business liability coverage legally required in most states. Most states set specific minimum liability coverage limits you must meet for bodily injury and property damage compensation, affecting your commercial auto insurance cost.

You are also required, by law, to get business auto insurance for your vehicles if you transport goods or people from state to state. You may need commercial truck insurance for larger commercial vehicles, like semi-trucks.

Accidents involving larger commercial vehicles, such as tractor-trailers, are often more severe than those involving other business autos. Regular commercial car insurance, therefore, may not provide adequate coverage for your large commercial vehicles.

Note that additional specialized coverage is mandatory if you use your business-owned vehicles for the following business purposes:

• Transporting hazardous materials
• Delivering food
• Offering taxi services

Further, the law requires all vehicles registered as commercial vehicles and those with a commercial license tag to have a commercial auto insurance policy. These may include:

• Hired passenger-type vehicles to transport people.
• Pick-up trucks that have a permanently attached camper
• Station wagons
• Multipurpose vehicles

You may also benefit from a third-party business auto insurance policy if you use your private vehicle for work-related errands like shopping for office supplies. Most personal auto policies don’t cover bodily injury or property damage incurred when using your private vehicle for business purposes.

Should You Finance Your Truck and Get Insurance?

Insurance is mandatory. Business vehicle owners require the minimum third-party commercial car insurance to operate in all states except Virginia and New Hampshire. Yet, purchasing commercial auto insurance in these states is still advisable.

On the other hand, financing your truck is a personal preference. We recommend it because it’s an affordable way to start or grow your business. This is especially true if you partner with expert truck financing institutions like Mission Financial Services.

Typically, the two go hand in hand. Most commercial vehicle loan lenders require that you purchase commercial auto insurance if they finance your truck.

Other Reasons To Consider Getting Commercial Auto Insurance

A commercial auto insurance policy helps you run your business at ease. It reduces the uncertainty of dealing with the risks your business autos are exposed to.

Business insurance promotes a steady cash flow. You can write off the insurance as a business expense and plan for your finances accordingly.

Liability Insurance saves you money. You avoid hefty financial penalties by complying with all statutory and contractual requirements. You also save thousands to millions of dollars when commercial auto insurance covers medical payments, property damage, and legal expenses during a claim.

You get a no-claim bonus discount if you want to renew your vehicle insurance at the end of a policy period and are yet to face a claim. This reduces your business costs.

Commercial vehicle insurance also offers some relief to injured victims. Medical payments, in particular, lift the financial burden of medical expenses, allowing those injured to focus on getting better.

Final Thoughts

When purchasing a commercial auto policy for your business autos, compare commercial auto insurance quotes from multiple providers. You’ll find a good insurance company with the most competitive rates this way.

You should get help from a qualified insurance agent. They’ll evaluate your business’s needs, type of business autos, and frequency of use, among other factors, to help you to help you afford optimal coverage. The best agent can also guide you step-by-step through the claims process whenever an accident occurs.

For more information on commercial vehicle insurance coverage options and their costs, hop over to Mission Financial Services and read our blog.

As a new commercial truck driver, it can be difficult to find good insurance coverage for your vehicle. Insurance companies often see new drivers as risky and only provide coverage to those who have been driving trucks for two or more years.

Additionally, the companies that do offer insurance for new drivers often charge high rates. This means you may end up paying two or three times more than experienced drivers. However, there are ways to find affordable insurance coverage if you know what type of coverage you need and how to search for cheaper options.

What Type of Coverage Do New Truck Drivers Need?

The type of commercial trucking insurance coverage you need as a new driver depends on the category of commercial truck drivers you belong to. There are two main categories of commercial truck drivers:

Company Drivers

Company drivers work for a trucking company as employees or independent contractors. You don’t need commercial trucking insurance if you’re a new truck driver directly employed by a trucking company. The company is responsible for insurance coverage.

However, you may need insurance coverage if you’re an independent truck driver working for a trucking business.

Owner-Operators

Owner-operators have their own trucking business and operate their commercial vehicles. There are two types of owner-operators: those who work under the authority of a motor carrier (leased owner-operators) and those who operate on their authority.

Leased Owner-operators

Leased owner-operators are covered by their motor carriers’ commercial truck insurance coverage.

Depending on the requirements of a motor carrier, an owner-operator with leased authority may need to purchase motor truck cargo or bobtail commercial truck insurance. If you fall under this category, read your lease agreement carefully to determine which additional insurance coverage you need.

Own Authority Owner-operators

Own authority owner-operators are solely responsible for purchasing all the mandatory commercial truck insurance policies they require to thrive. This includes some or all of the essential truck insurance coverage options outlined below.

What does Commercial Truck Insurance for New Drivers Cover?

Commercial auto policies for new drivers offer various essential and optional insurance coverage.

Essential Commercial Truck Insurance for New Drivers

Essential trucking insurance for new drivers is coverage all new truck drivers should consider to protect their ventures from significant financial losses. These coverage options include:

Trucking Primary Liability Coverage

Primary liability coverage is the minimum commercial truck insurance all trucking companies and owner-operators must have to operate in nearly all states. It includes bodily injury and physical damage coverage if you cause an accident. With a primary liability cover, your insurance company pays for the injured parties’ medical expenses and covers any damages to their vehicles.

Physical Damage Liability Insurance

Physical damage coverage protects your commercial trucks from all losses and damages they are exposed to on the road. Most commercial insurance companies offer this coverage in two parts:

Collision coverage: This insurance helps pay for repairing or replacing your vehicle if it is damaged in a collision with another vehicle or object.

Comprehensive coverage: This cover includes compensation for non-collision losses such as theft, fire, vandalism, and harsh weather conditions.

Unlike primary liability insurance, physical damage coverage is not required by law. However, it’s critical commercial truck insurance for new drivers as it protects the main asset, providing business security.

Non-Trucking Liability Insurance

Non-trucking liability coverage protects you if you get into an accident when driving your commercial truck for errands unrelated to work.

General Liability Insurance

Motor truck general liability insurance coverage pays for bodily injury and physical damages unrelated to driving your commercial truck but involving your business. This includes bodily injury compensation for accidents on your business property or those for-hire truckers caused away from your location.

Motor Truck Cargo Coverage

Motor truck cargo coverage protects the goods you haul. It’s an essential coverage option for most leased owner-operators as some motor carriers require truck drivers under their lease to carry cargo insurance.

Optional Commercial Truck Insurance For New Drivers

As a new driver, you should get more coverage to reduce risk and ensure you succeed. To do this, consider the following optional commercial truck insurance for new drivers:

Loss mitigation: Used to cover any losses that exceed your truck insurance policy limits.

GAP protection: GAP (Guaranteed Asset Protection) insurance is optional. This coverage covers any “gap” between the actual cash value of your vehicle at the time of loss and what you owe on your auto loan or lease.

How To Find Affordable Commercial Truck Insurance For New Drivers

There are three steps you can take to find affordable truck insurance for new drivers.

Step 1: Evaluate Your Business Needs

Evaluating your business needs will help you identify the coverage you need to avoid purchasing excess or unnecessary coverage. To do this, assess the common factors insurance providers use to set their commercial truck insurance premiums. These include your operating radius, vehicle and cargo type, FMCSA requirements, location, etc.

Step 2: Compare Quotes From Multiple Commercial Truck Insurance Companies

Get quotes from several commercial truck insurance companies and settle for one with high-quality coverage at an affordable rate.

Look at how the rates of different commercial truck insurance providers fare compared to the national average rates. Here’s a guide to help you understand the average commercial truck insurance cost for various coverage options.

Also, evaluate different commercial truck insurance companies based on their reputation, customer support, and availability to get the best insurance company.

You can get quotes from multiple commercial truck insurance providers at once through commercial trucking insurance brokers like Evolution Insurance Brokers.

Step 3: Negotiate Best Deal

Once you’ve identified the best commercial truck insurance providers, negotiate with each and settle for the best deal. Major insurance companies might be reluctant to offer discounts to new truck drivers, but it’s worth a try.

Final Thoughts

Getting the right commercial truck insurance policy gives you the financial stability and peace of mind you need to grow your venture. You might lose thousands to millions of dollars in settlement claims without insurance.

For additional peace of mind and security for your trucking business, we’ve partnered with TrüNorth™ to provide comprehensive commercial truck warranty protection. We can also help finance your commercial truck purchases to help you grow, even if you’re a first-time buyer. Contact us to learn more.