News

Semi-Truck Christmas Decoration Ideas

The holidays are around the corner. The festive season is the busiest time for most truckers as retail and grocery deliveries increase nationwide. But just because you’ll likely be on the road during this season doesn’t mean you should miss the holiday fun.

You can participate in the holiday cheer by decorating your truck with various semi-truck Christmas decorations. Here are a few semi-truck Christmas decoration ideas to help you get into the festive spirit and bring the warmth of the holidays wherever you go.

Best Semi-Truck Christmas Decoration Ideas

First things first, you need to clean your semi-truck before you consider decorating it. This will give you an idea of how much space you have to work with. It will also improve the appearance of your semi-truck and make your Christmas decorations pop. The decorations will also hold up longer when placed on a clean surface.

To prep your truck, remove any leftover debris, like food wrappers and empty drink containers, before wiping or washing all interior and exterior surfaces. Once your vehicle is ready for a festive makeover, choose an idea below and give it a personal touch.

Decorating Inside

Pick a holiday theme for your truck’s interior and spruce up the entire place as you would your home. You can go with fresh greenery, hand-made décor, or an intricate combination of both. Generally, the more customized your decorations are, the more cheerful, relaxing, and closer to home they’ll feel. Here are a few fun ideas to inspire you.

Get Holiday-themed Mats and Seat Covers

Embrace the season by getting holiday-themed seat covers, mats, blankets, and pillows. Go for the regular red and white Santa colors, festive greens, or detailed plaid patterns. They’ll introduce the joy of the season into your semi-truck.

You can also hang Christmas stockings with ribbons on the sides of the bed in your sleeper area. Have them customized with your names or those of your loved ones to make your truck feel like an extension of your home.

Also, create extra sparkle on your stockings and make them unique with a few tassels and a tiny spiral evergreen shrub. These are easy to find at your local decor shop; setting them up takes a few minutes.

Most long-haul drivers prefer hanging customized stockings on the sides of their seats or the passenger’s seat. Usually, they’ll add candy cane posts with a twisted texture and small gifts in the stocking to delight in the giving nature of the season.

Light it Up

Nothing screams Christmas-is-here more than lights arranged in various shapes and patterns. There are two main ways to introduce the Christmas glow into your semi-truck:

Adding the traditional string lights: String lights bring your semi-truck from zero to festive within a few steps. They work well around the cab, windows, and the sleeper area. You’ll need a power inverter for them to work, though. So make sure you have everything set up correctly.

Adding LED light strips: If you don’t have a power inverter, use LED light strips instead. Most run on li-on batteries and don’t require an inverter. They also have adhesive backs and are easy to apply or set up. Removing them after the festive season is equally easy as you can peel them off without damaging your truck.

If you’re not a fan of string lights running through your cab, find glass lanterns and fill them with LED twinkle lights. Then, place them on a surface in your sleeper berth or hang them on the side “walls.” You’ll still experience the warm glow of the season this way.

Add Boughs of Holly

Bring the tranquility and freshness of nature into your truck with December’s birth flower – the evergreen holly plant. You can create boughs of holly in varying shapes and sizes, then place them on different surfaces in your truck. When doing this, let your imagination run wild.

Mix the holly with other flowers to create perfect floral arrangements running from one end of your surfaces to the other. It could be your dashboard or the kitchen section.

You can also make classic holiday wreath centerpieces with holly, golden-colored pine cones and well-tied ribbons. These look great on stand-out plain sections in your sleeper berth.

Mix Greens and Glitter

Combine your green holly decorations with shiny metallic garland. It adds a touch of glam to your space and makes it jolly.

If you prefer, switch things up and have fresh green garland mixed with holly berries running through your cab, window, or sleeper area. Some drivers use these as their surface for string lights. They wrap the lights around the garland before letting it run through the truck like a string moving from corner to corner.

You can also have the garland and lights around the door of the sleeper section or let them drape over a hanging gift basket in one or more corners of your truck. Just ensure they don’t block your view when driving.

Most drivers love the scent of fresh all-green garlands inside their trucks, but if you’d rather not have this, go for faux leaves or paper garlands. Fake garland leaves are easy to find in your local décor store or Amazon.

Take the DIY route for paper garlands to create the most unique designs. You’ll need paper, various watercolors, or paint and brushes, but the effort will be worth it. Make this a fun family activity to bond with your loved ones and create the perfect home-away-from-home environment with hand-made décor from the family.

Use Christmas Ornaments

Christmas ornaments are a staple semi-truck Christmas decoration for truckers. They are budget-friendly and can pass as great gifts to fellow truck drivers.

Most semi-truck ornaments are also a low-key way to create the holiday mood and often last for years. They are the go-to Christmas decorations for company drivers who can’t go all out on their truck Christmas décor due to restrictions from their employers.

Semi-truck ornaments include small tractor-trailer models you can place on your dashboard or hang on the roof of your cab. You could also get 3D images of your truck engraved in star-shaped porcelain and hang them visibly in the driver’s area.

There’s also the DIY option, where you can create several Christmas ornaments using materials available in your home and local art shops. You may, for instance, create snow globes using glass jars, bottle brushes, fake snow, and glitters. Or craft 3D felt ornaments using festive green, white, and splashes of red holiday colors.

Put Up A Christmas Tree

Yes, you can put up a Christmas tree inside your truck. It won’t be the same as the Christmas tree in your home, but it can still jazz up your space and complete your festive look.

Here are a few simple ideas to set up a tree with Christmas ornaments inside your truck:

Christmas card tree: Display your cards as a tree to form a Christmas card tree. It will look great on one of the walls in your sleeper berth (preferably the one closest to your bed). The size of your Christmas card tree will depend on the number of cards you get.

If you have too many cards, tie a few fresh green pine garlands to a wooden hanger and clip your extra cards on the greens to display them on a different wall. Ensure it’s within reach so you can continue adding more cards as they arrive throughout the season.

Dashboard Christmas tree: Get a dashboard Christmas tree to place on your dashboard. They resemble a tabletop tree but are way smaller. Alternatively, you can find a small twig tree and add hand-crafted décor to make it special.

Decorating Outside

On the outside, go all in on the trailer’s sides but easy on the front and back sides. Avoid placing bright lights or lights that can mess with your truck’s signal lights because it will confuse other drivers and may cause havoc. It could also be against the law in your state and might land you in trouble.

So make sure you check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles to confirm your city’s truck decorations rules before proceeding. You may also want to check with your insurance provider to ensure you are on the same page. Most insurers consider external truck Christmas décor a modification that invalidates your cover.

Large ribbons, floral wreaths, or simple holiday messages will do for the front (on the truck grill) and back parts.

But on the sides, free the creative artist in you and work with lights and evergreen garlands. The more the merrier, provided your truck can handle it. You don’t want to run down your battery’s power prematurely with too many lights. To save energy and avoid being on the wrong side of the law, consider having these lights on at strategic times only.

You can also put smiles on the faces of those who see you driving by telling a story with conspicuous Christmas figures like Santa, elves, and reindeer with glitter antlers or noses. Include cheerful holiday messages, too. This space is your canvas; use it to spread holiday love and joy throughout this wonderful time of the year.

Final Thoughts

Decorating your truck for Christmas is different from decorating for other holidays like Halloween. Halloween has an air of mystery, but Christmas is all about merry-making – the brighter, the better.

Even so, always put your safety and the safety of other road users first. Stay away from decorations that block your view when driving or stand in the way of other drivers. Also, steer clear of dangerous decorations like candles. They are a fire hazard in your truck.

If you’re looking for holiday gifts for friends and family who love trucking, go for Christmas ornaments with engraved personal messages. They’ll appreciate the gesture and can reuse the decorations year after year.

For more gift suggestions, check out our blog. We have several gift ideas for truckers to help you celebrate these unsung heroes who keep our country moving.

How To Avoid Commercial Truck Accidents

Commercial truck accidents are one of the biggest risks of running a trucking business. Even the most experienced commercial truck drivers can get caught up in an accident, so it’s essential to be alert at all times and aware of all possible accident causes.

While you never know what lies ahead when operating a truck, drivers must be prepared for all possible scenarios. To help you out, this guide explores some of the key causes of commercial truck accidents and how to avoid them.

How to Avoid Commercial Truck Accidents as a Driver

You can never predict when a commercial truck accident will take place. However, as a truck driver, you must do everything you can to prevent these accidents.

Here are some of the most important steps and considerations to avoid minor or fatal truck accidents.

Regular Maintenance

The most critical step in avoiding truck accidents is to make sure your vehicle is in good running condition. 10% of truck accidents result from vehicle errors, so ensuring your vehicle is taken care of will immediately reduce any risk of an accident.

Ensure that the commercial trucks are well-maintained. Regular inspections, maintenance, and repairs will help prevent mechanical failures that could lead to accidents.

Be sure to check all common issues before each truck journey. This includes looking for bad shocks, fuel filter issues, a bad starter, or faulty brakes. Keep your truck’s tire pressure at the right level, maintain correct oil levels, and pay attention to any strange noises or movements coming from the truck.

If you experience anything unusual, report this to a mechanic or take the truck in for maintenance. Not only will fixing issues early on help you avoid more significant accidents, but it can also be cheaper in the long-term maintenance of your vehicle.

Beyond the regular checks a truck driver should perform, you must never miss a service. Regularly servicing the truck will help you detect any possible issues that could result in accidents.

Secure Your Load

Truck accident statistics show that the cargo causes a large portion of accidents. Truck drivers must ensure their cargo is secured correctly and safely handled to avoid any cargo-related accidents.

Improperly secured cargo can shift, causing loss of control and accidents. The truck driver must understand the cargo they are transporting and how best to manage it. Some difficult types of cargo even require special licenses and training – ensure you are equipped with this if it applies.

When driving on multi-day trips, always check the cargo at the start and end of each day. Cargo can often shift around during long days on the road, so staying on top of it can play a significant role in avoiding truck crashes.

Driver Training

Of course, most truck accidents happen as a result of poor driving. You must have a good driver behind the wheel to avoid truck accidents.

Employ qualified and trained drivers who understand the unique challenges of driving commercial trucks. Provide ongoing training to keep their skills up-to-date.

The best way to minimize the risk of truck crashes is to use a driver with plenty of experience in the route, experience with the vehicle, and experience with the cargo they’re hauling. The longer the driver has had their commercial driver’s license (CDL), the better.

While gaining experience takes time, younger drivers can improve their odds against truck crashes with ongoing training. Consistently keeping up to date with best practices in truck driving safety is essential.

Drivers can also enroll in short courses to improve their truck driving skills and knowledge for different scenarios. For example, you could take a short course in driving in the snow or a course in driving vehicles that carry abnormal loads to better equip yourself with different types of commercial truck driving.

Vehicle Knowledge

Following on from the point above, many commercial truck accidents happen when the driver is unfamiliar with handling the vehicle.

A critical step in avoiding fatal crashes is gaining plenty of experience in the specific type of truck you’re driving. Understand the gross vehicle weight rating, know the total vehicle miles, and get accustomed to the tractor-trailer setup. The better truck operators know their vehicle and how to handle it, the easier it will be to avoid large truck crashes.

Hours of Service

Even the most knowledgeable and experienced truck operators can cause fatal crashes if they’re overly tired. Long-haul truck drivers need to get enough rest when driving their routes.

Always adhere to hours of service regulations to prevent driver fatigue. Make regular use of truck stops, and know when you need rest.

A significant number of commercial truck accident statistics result from fatigue. So, getting enough rest is essential if you’re driving a large truck. Not only does this protect the truck driver, but it protects any other passenger vehicles on the road. This is why national highway traffic safety places so much emphasis on truck drivers resting when necessary.

Avoid Distracted Driving

Drivers must stay focused on the road and avoid distractions like cell phones or other electronic devices. Fatal crashes can easily occur when the truck driver takes their eyes off the road for only a moment.

As a truck driver, you must always keep this in mind and practice absolute vigilance when driving.
Speed Management
This is another basic rule for truck driving, but it significantly reduces fatal crashes. fatal crashes.

Always follow speed limits and adjust speed based on road conditions, weather, and traffic. Speeding is a common cause of commercial truck accidents, but it’s an easy issue to avoid.

Even if you’re driving behind schedule, sticking to the speed limit can help you get your cargo to its destination safely – which is more important than getting there quickly.

Safe Following Distance

Always maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles. Commercial trucks require more time to stop due to their size and weight, so large trucks must keep their distance from other passenger vehicles.
Fatal truck crashes often result from drivers not having enough time to stop. So, keep your distance, and you’ll be a far safer driver.

Weather Awareness

While the weather is beyond your control, anyone driving a large truck needs to understand how to drive in different weather conditions.

Always check the weather report before taking to the road, and be prepared for different weather conditions. Slow down and exercise extra caution in adverse weather conditions like rain, snow, or fog.

Defensive Driving

Train drivers to anticipate the actions of other drivers and be prepared to react appropriately. This can help avoid collisions caused by other drivers’ mistakes.

The truck driver doesn’t always cause commercial truck accidents. Instead, negligence may be due to passenger vehicle drivers. However, when trucks get involved in fatal crashes, the situation becomes a lot worse.

Large truck occupants need to know how to react swiftly to other vehicles on the road. Taking a defensive driving course is always a good idea for commercial drivers.

Avoid Aggressive Driving

Being a truck driver can get frustrating, but drivers must always stay calm and collected on the road.

Avoid any aggressive driving behaviors such as tailgating, road rage, and abrupt lane changes. Crashes involving large trucks are often caused by these brief moments of aggression – which can quickly turn into a fatal accident.

Use Mirrors

Any large truck occupants need to make the most out of their mirrors.

Make proper use of mirrors to be aware of the surroundings. Blind spots are larger for commercial trucks, so use mirrors to stay informed. Always double-check the mirror, even if you think the road is clear.

Observe Traffic Signs

Another obvious one is that road signs are there to keep truck drivers safe. As driving a large truck is a different experience, truck drivers must closely monitor road signs that relate to them.

Follow all traffic rules and signs, including weight limits, height restrictions, and other commercial vehicle-specific regulations. Of course, drivers also need to understand their truck’s height and weight before setting out on a journey.

Conclusion

Knowing how to avoid commercial truck accidents is essential to being a truck driver. Always be aware of the common accident causes and be alert about how to avoid them. This is one of the most critical functions of anyone operating a large truck.

Looking to purchase a semi-truck for your business? Get in touch with us at Mission Financial Services where we help all kinds of truck drivers acquire commercial vehicle financing, regardless of credit score.

What Different Jobs Do Commercial Truck Drivers Do?

Understanding the different jobs commercial truck drivers do is essential, especially if you’re looking to build a solid career in the trucking industry.

There are several types of commercial truck drivers. Each has different tasks depending on the truck driven, goods hauled, and distance traveled.

We’ve prepared this quick guide to help you understand the most common types of commercial truck driver job categories and their typical duties. We’ll also briefly discuss some requirements and skills you need to excel at various commercial truck driving jobs.

Different Types Of Commercial Truck Driving Jobs

Here are nine common types of commercial truck driver job categories you can consider pursuing:

Dry Van Haulers

Dry van trucking is one of the most traditional truck driving jobs. It involves moving well-packaged, dry goods that don’t need strict temperature control. The dry van is usually a tractor-trailer combination resembling a box with all sides enclosed but has an opening (the door) at the back.

Primary Duties

The primary duty of dry van drivers is hooking up to loaded tractor-trailers and following assigned routes to deliver goods to various destinations. They don’t load or offload the cargo, but they may have to:

Inspect cargo before leaving their pickup station to ensure everything is loaded correctly.
Handle basic mechanical problems as needed.
Manage inventory and collect signatures to verify delivery.

Requirements

As a minimum, you need a class-A commercial driver’s license to secure a job as a dry van driver. This will allow you to drive commercial motor vehicles with a wide gross weight range.

You could, for instance, drive a tractor with over 26,000 pounds and drag one trailer with over 10,000 pounds. Or drive a tractor-trailer combination with double or triple trailers ranging from 120,000 to 148,000 in total weight. Hauling double and triple trailers requires additional doubles and triple endorsement.

Freight Haulers

In freight hauling, truck drivers transport and deliver all types of cargo that dry van hauling cannot deliver. These include specialty freight such as liquids and hazardous materials. Often, freight haulers move larger loads and equipment than small packages. They can also travel over short or long distances.

Primary Duties

Overseeing freight loading to ensure freight weight limits are adhered to.
Securing the freight in place to prevent damage during transport.
Performing basic motor vehicle service checks to ensure the tractor-trailer is in good order before departure. This may include checking the oil and fluid levels plus tire pressure.

Requirements

Besides an active class A commercial driver’s license, most employers require you to have experience transporting large freight. That’s because transporting oversized cargo requires proper balancing throughout the trip.

For specific cargo, like hazardous materials, you must follow a few safety procedures to comply with all federal laws governing the transportation of hazardous materials. Here’s a detailed guide on complying with federal hazardous materials safety regulations to help you understand all the required safety procedures.

Reefer or Refrigerated Commercial Truck Drivers

As the name suggests, refrigerated or reefer commercial motor vehicle drivers haul goods that need specific temperature control. Most times, they transport perishable food items to grocery stores and restaurants.

Primary Duties

Apart from their standard driving duties, reefer tractor-trailer truck drivers are responsible for:

Ensuring their motor vehicle is always at the right temperature when transporting various goods.
Keeping their trailers clean and sanitary
Loading and unloading their tractor-trailers
Regular maintenance to fuel the cooling units and fix any refrigeration issues

Requirements

You require refrigerated trucking skills and all the skills class A CDL drivers must have. Some employers may request a specialized refrigeration certification as well for this job.

Flatbed Commercial Truck Drivers

Flatbed commercial motor vehicle drivers transport machinery and other dry products on open-air trailers. The cargo moved by flatbed drivers is usually too large or awkward and cannot fit into regular dry van trailers. These items may include lumber, steel pipes, or large tanks.

Primary Duties

Load and unload truck
Secure load with chains and tarps to prevent damage during transport
Inspect the vehicle to ensure it’s in safe working conditions before each trip
Prepare reports on cargo loads and deliveries for record-keeping
Prepare and maintain shipping documents like warehouse receipts, bills of lading, and sale
Communicate with dispatchers to get instructions on deliveries

Requirements

Because this job requires driving large trucks, you’ll have to undergo on-the-job training for about four weeks to learn how to operate flatbed trucks. This is in addition to the driving test you must pass to get your driver’s license CDL (class A) when learning to drive heavy trucks.

Most employers require a high school diploma or associate’s degree for this job. They may also assess your physical health and ability to lift and secure heavy loads since the role involves a bit of manual labor.

Tanker Commercial Truck Drivers

Tanker drivers operate trucks with liquids or gases. They transport different hazardous and non-hazardous loads, such as crude oil, diesel, gasoline, chemicals, or milk, over short and long distances.

Primary Duties

Adhering to strict safety regulations to prevent leakages
Supervise or assist in loading and unloading the tanker. This may include connecting hoses and pumps or removing utility hole covers to unload liquids into fuel tanks and other storage silos.
Maintain accurate logs of working hours and all trip activities.
Ensure the relevant staff receives the cargo and signs for their delivery.

Requirements

Tractor-trailer truck drivers require specialized training to handle tankers and the different types of loads they haul. Depending on the properties of the load you haul, you’ll need to learn how to handle various emergencies like chemical spills. You may also require special certifications, including occupational health and safety certificates, in addition to a class A commercial driver’s license (CDL).

You’ll have to follow all the dot regulations to get the required tank vehicle endorsement for operating tanker trucks. To receive this endorsement, you must pass a written knowledge test and practical exam. If hauling hazardous liquids, you must also abide by all FMCSA rules on transporting hazardous materials.

Location-to-location or Less than truckload (LTL)

LTL tractor-trailer truck drivers transport smaller loads or shipments and often make multiple trips a day. Most drivers drop several packages at various locations. Other drivers pick up or deliver packages to terminals, where they transfer the goods to other trucks, which then deliver the loads along designated routes.

Primary Duties

Safe transport of various types of goods at multiple locations daily
Load and unload trucks several times a day

Requirements

Like all other truck driving jobs, becoming an LTL truck driver requires a commercial driver’s license, but it doesn’t have to be a class A CDL. A class B CDL will do, although you’ll be limited to hauling specific types of trucks.

Most LTL drivers are company drivers, and employers require a few years of experience in a delivery position (about two years) with a clean driving record.

Local Commercial Truck Drivers

Local commercial motor vehicle truck drivers transport goods of varying sizes within their locality. They are different from regional commercial truck drivers who cover longer routes (roughly 1000 miles), even though both types of truck drivers perform almost the same duties.

Primary Duties

Local and regional tractor-trailer truck drivers must ensure their cargo remains safe and in excellent condition during transport.
Coordinate with their respective trucking companies to manage new loads effectively and transport them within specified time frames.
Local truck drivers often assist in loading and unloading cargo, whereas regional truck drivers don’t.

Requirements

Both types of commercial truck drivers require extensive knowledge of the routes they operate in. If you choose these trucking jobs, you’ll have to master the many routes in the geographical area you cover.

Over-the-road Commercial Truck Drivers

Over-the-road (OTR) truck drivers specialize in long-distance hauling. They transport goods over thousands of miles and are usually on the road for long periods.

This is one of the most lucrative trucking careers. CDL drivers earn a minimum of $78,113 annually and enjoy several benefits.

Usually, the drivers are required by law to take rest periods in transit. Because of this, some trucking companies employ team drivers to deliver time-critical cargo. Here, two drivers take turns to drive the same truck, delivering the load faster.

Primary Duties

Complying with all dot regulations, including the hours of service and gross vehicle weight restrictions.
Performing prescribed tractor-trailer inspections and documenting its working conditions before departure.
Supervising cargo loading and unloading. This includes managing inventory and getting clients’ signatures to confirm that all items were delivered in pristine condition.
Logging all trip activities, including the hours and miles driven, rest stop durations, plus fuel, repair, and toll road expenses.
Communicating delays or late deliveries due to breakdowns or accidents to dispatchers.

Requirements

Due to the long hours spent behind the wheel, you have to meet specific medical conditions to qualify for this job. You must pass vision tests and go through high blood pressure checks, among other medical tests.

Most employers may also require you to go through various skills tests before hiring you, even if you are a class A CDL driver with years of experience.

Vocational Commercial Truck Drivers

You can opt for vocational commercial truck driving, which includes tow truck drivers and drivers of garbage trunks or dump trucks.

Conclusion

The trucking industry is diverse and has several career growth opportunities. You can start out in one niche, say a dry van driver, then work your way to being an OTR driver, provided you have the required commercial driving license.

Your job security in the industry is secure if you maintain a clean driving record and possess various skills truck drivers need to succeed.

Read our guide on commercial truck driver salary expectations to estimate how much you’ll earn as a commercial truck driver. If you’re interested in buying a semi-truck and starting your own trucking business instead, contact Mission Financial Services! We’ll help finance your purchase.

Bobtail Insurance for Semi-Truck Drivers

When you purchase a semi-truck, one of the first things you must do is get it properly insured. This involves getting primary liability insurance, as well as considering bobtail insurance.

Many drivers overlook Bobtail insurance, also known as non-trucking liability insurance. While it’s not always necessary to own a truck, this insurance can add significant value if you’re involved in a semi-truck accident while not driving on a delivery route.

This guide explores exactly what non-trucking liability insurance is, what it covers, and whether you should get bobtail insurance for your semi-truck.

What is Bobtail Insurance Coverage?

Bobtail insurance protects commercial truck drivers when operating their trucks without a trailer or cargo. It’s sometimes also referred to as non-trucking liability insurance.

Bobtail insurance is important because most commercial trucking insurance policies only provide coverage when the truck is driving or hauling freight. However, all kinds of possible issues could happen to your semi-truck while it’s not in action – which is when bobtail liability insurance will cover you.

Bobtail insurance is a different product from primary commercial trucking insurance. Primary insurance covers the truck while it’s engaged in commercial activities, such as hauling cargo. Bobtail insurance specifically covers the truck during non-business use or when it’s operating without a trailer.

Having both primary commercial truck insurance and non-trucking liability insurance provides complete coverage for your vehicle.

What Does Bobtail Insurance for Semi-Trucks Cover?

Insurance policies change with each broker, so each bobtail insurance plan is unique. However, bobtail liability insurance typically provides two main areas of coverage.

Non-Commercial Use

Bobtail insurance covers situations when a commercial truck is being driven for non-business or personal use. For example, if a trucker is driving the tractor (the front part of the truck) without a trailer for personal reasons, like going home after delivery, this coverage can protect them.

Bobtail insurance can also provide coverage for a parked semi-truck when it’s not in commercial use. Many commercial truck insurance companies only offer coverage when the truck is in active service.

Liability Coverage

The main focus of bobtail insurance is on liability protection. This type of truck insurance can help cover the costs if the truck driver is involved in an accident while not hauling a trailer and they are found to be at fault. This includes bodily injury and property damage liability. Truckers must have proper liability coverage at all times.

Who Needs Bobtail Insurance?

Anyone who owns a semi-truck can benefit from having non-trucking liability insurance.

This is especially true if you’re an owner-operator, as you’ll probably drive your truck’s trailer non-commercially at times. As your semi-truck is such a valuable asset, you’ll want to make sure it’s adequately insured at all times – which is why bobtail insurance is so valuable.

Trucking companies or truck lease agreements might sometimes require bobtail insurance. So, some truck drivers may need to take out a bobtail insurance policy to buy a semi-truck. You could get bobtail insurance coverage for a single commercial vehicle or this non-trucking liability coverage for an entire fleet.

If you often drive your truck without a trailer, then getting bobtail insurance is worth considering. Bobtailing is also known to be more dangerous than driving a loaded truck, so having this coverage can add a great deal of value. Without it, you may have to pay enormous legal fees and damages costs in the event of an accident.

Even if it’s not legally mandated, it’s a good idea for truckers who operate their vehicles without trailers to have this coverage to avoid potential financial risks.

How Much Does Bobtail Insurance Cost?

As with any commercial vehicle insurance policy, the cost of non-trucking liability insurance depends on various factors. These are mainly focused on:

Your personal driving history: It’s more likely for truck drivers with a longer driving record and more experience with a CDP to get lower premiums on their non-trucking liability insurance.
Usage: How long you plan to need bobtail liability insurance based on how often you drive without a trailer will be considered. The more you bobtail, the more expensive your insurance premiums could be.
Insurance history: Any bobtail insurance company considers past insurance claims and policies to understand your risk profile.
Your coverage limits: Of course, the amount you want to be covered up to in liability costs dictates how much you’ll pay for your bobtail truck insurance. The higher your coverage is, the higher your costs will be.

So, the cost of bobtail insurance can vary greatly depending on the driver’s circumstances. Different bobtail insurance companies will also charge differently.

However, East Insurance Group says drivers often pay around $400 to carry bobtail insurance. Temporary bobtail insurance policies are also available at lower annual premiums.

Where to Find Bobtail Truck Insurance

Many commercial vehicle insurance providers offer bobtail coverage. Most insurers provide quotes on their websites. It’s also worth looking into insurance comparison sites to see what bobtail and trucking liability insurance options are available. This also makes it easy to compare quotes.

Take a look at our roundup of the top commercial truck insurance brokers to help you find the best bobtail insurance coverage.

Conclusion

While saving money on insurance costs may seem attractive, being caught short without insurance can be an absolute killer for your trucking business. This is why it’s essential to consider non-trucking liability insurance if it makes sense for your situation.

You might even need non-trucking liability insurance to purchase a semi-truck in the first place.

If you’re looking to buy a new truck, contact us at Mission Financial Services. We make it easy for all commercial truck drivers to gain financing for their ideal semi-truck.

How To Handle A Fatal Semi-Truck Accident

Handling a fatal semi-truck accident is more complex than handling an accident involving regular cars.

Semi-trucks are subject to strict regulations that may not apply to regular cars. You must comply with all the FMCSA semi-truck accident regulations to be safe.

Additionally, more than one party can be liable for the crash. You need to handle the truck accident in a way that protects your rights to compensation for all injuries and damages incurred.

There are nine steps you should take to abide by the law and optimize your chances of maximum compensation. This will help you deal with the aftermath and get back on track sooner.

Handling a Fatal Semi-Truck Accident: 9 Steps

Some truck accidents lead to severe injuries or fatalities. It can be terrifying, but you must stay at the accident scene and avoid panicking.

If you leave the accident scene before following due process, you risk losing your truck driving license or having criminal charges filed against you. Doing this also reduces your chances of getting compensated for any damages. Here’s how to handle a fatal semi-truck accident correctly.

At The Accident Scene

Step 1: Confirm That Everyone is Safe

In a fatal truck accident, your safety and that of your passengers should be your top priority. If you’re injured, stay still until help arrives. If you’re uninjured and can move, check on other occupants of your truck and occupants of other vehicles involved.

Avoid moving any injured victims, as it may make their condition worse.

Step 2: Call Emergency Services

Call 911 to get first responders dispatched to the accident scene as soon as possible. In most states, calling the police to the scene and filing a report is mandatory if the crash led to severe injuries, multiple fatalities, or extensive damage to vehicles.

When dealing with the authorities and any other party approaching you, words matter. Be careful not to admit fault to anyone in any way when giving an account of what happened. Anything you say throughout the investigation can work as evidence against your claim.

Step 3: Collect Evidence

Start building your case by documenting the accident scene. Take pictures of the damage incurred to use as evidence when proving your claim to insurers or the court should your case get to trial. Specifically, take photos of the following:

Your semi-truck and the damage sustained
The other vehicles involved in the crash
Skid marks, shattered glass, and other physical evidence on the ground, such as car parts
Landmarks and street signs to show the location of the truck crash

Often, fatal truck accidents cause a traffic build-up and are newsworthy. You might get tempted to share photos of the scene on your social media pages, but don’t do it. Your online post could weaken your claim and reduce the settlement amount.

Step 4: Get Information on Those Involved

It’s also critical for you to get the details of everyone involved in the crash. In an accident including another semi, pickup, and a cab, the following info may come in handy:

Drivers’ names and addresses
License number of the other semi-truck driver plus the trucking company they work for
The plate number of the semi and further identifying details like the make or model
Insurance company info, including policy number
Eye witnesses’ names, phone numbers, or addresses
Generally, the more information you get, the easier it is for you to file a personal injury claim correctly if you were not the at-fault party.

After The Accident

Step 5: Seek Medical Evaluation and Document Treatment

Seek medical evaluation even if you feel fine. Keep all medical records, including your expenses, safely. You may need these to submit with your claim.

As a company truck driver, you must take post-accident alcohol and drug tests following applicable federal alcohol testing requirements. Your employer is required by law to ensure this happens.

Step 6: Get The Vehicle Appraised

If you’re an independent truck driver or owner-operator, get your semi-truck appraised to evaluate the damage and estimate the repair cost. Ensure you follow the vehicle appraisal guidelines your insurer requires so they don’t refuse to settle your claim.

For those with towing add-on coverage, you can have your vehicle towed. However, request the mechanic not to repair any damage until you clear the vehicle with your insurer.

Step 7: Contact a Commercial Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer

Consult a qualified semi-truck accident attorney before reaching out to your insurance company. The lawyer will help you identify the legal routes you can take and how much in settlement you deserve. Your legal team can also help you handle multiple insurers and deal with any lawsuits you may face.

Step 8: Alert Your Insurance Company

Once you know your legal stand, alert your insurance company and file a claim. Ensure you do this within the time frame specified by your insurer to avoid denial of coverage.

You may also want to file settlement claims with the insurers of all the parties responsible for the accident if you were not at fault. These may include your trucking company, vehicle manufacturers, repair companies, government entities, etc. It’s best to let your lawyer handle this so you can get maximum compensation from each party.

Step 9: Complete Repairs or Get a New Semi

The last step is to get your truck repaired to get back on track. You can also opt to purchase a new semi if the one you have is irreparable. Mission Financial Services can help finance your commercial vehicle loan repairs or new semi-truck purchase. Here’s a step-by-step guide on financing a semi-truck you can follow to get the help you need.

Conclusion

It’s worth emphasizing that you should avoid talking to the representatives of insurance providers (including your own) before consulting your lawyer.

Insurers almost always put their interests first, and they’ll offer less than you deserve. This will happen from when the accident occurs until a fair settlement is reached, so you must stay vigilant throughout.

For more information on financing your truck’s repairs or buying a new one after a truck accident, contact us at Mission Financial Services. We are always ready to help you get your life back on course and can customize our financing options to your specific situation.

What to Do in an Accident With Semi Truck

As a truck driver, you’ll need to know precisely how to deal with a semi-truck accident if one happens.

While it’s essential to know how to avoid accidents in the first place, accidents still happen all the time. Nearly 388,000 truck accidents happen annually across the U.S.

If you can’t prevent the accident from taking place, the best thing you can do is to deal with the accident as efficiently as possible. Each accident is different and will come with its challenges. However, the same general process can be followed after an accident occurs.

Here are the steps you should follow if you’ve experienced a semi-truck accident.

What to Do in an Accident With Semi Truck: Steps to Follow

Check for Injuries

First and foremost, check yourself and others involved for any injuries. While there’s much to consider during a truck accident, safety should always be your priority.

If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately to request immediate medical attention. Even minor injuries should be reported, as a complete medical evaluation may reveal the injuries to be more severe than suspected.

Identifying possible injuries will also help you understand how best to deal with the truck accident in terms of moving vehicles and clearing up any wreckage.

Once emergency services have been notified about any injuries, you can move on to dealing with the semi-truck accident.

Move to Safety

If possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road or a safe location to avoid further accidents. Turn on hazard lights to alert other drivers.

This isn’t possible for some truck accidents, and it’s not a good idea to try to move any vehicles if they’re in hazardous situations. However, if your vehicle is alright and you can clear the road without causing any harm, then try to do this.

Before moving the vehicle, though, you’ll want to take pictures of the car accident. This is important for the truck accident investigation – more on this later.

Call Law Enforcement

Once the scene is as safe as possible, the next step is to alert the authorities about the truck accident.

Contact the police to report the accident, even if it’s minor. Having an official report can be valuable for insurance claims and legal purposes. If you’re a truck driver who crosses state boundaries, it’s wise to know which local law enforcement numbers to call for each state you travel through.

Exchange Information

You’ll need information to contact the other driver’s insurance company. Make sure you exchange this information before departing the scene of the accident.

Exchange contact, insurance, and driver’s license information with the other driver. Include their company name, contact number, and any relevant details. Semi-truck accidents can sometimes be tricky to report and follow through with insurance, but having the other driver’s contact details will help the process.

Gather Evidence

An essential part of dealing with a semi-truck accident is gathering enough evidence to report the accident to your insurance company.

If it’s safe to do so, take photos of the accident scene, the positions of the vehicles, any damage sustained, and road or weather conditions. Taking videos with your mobile phone will also be useful.
The more detailed your documentation is, the better, as this will all help make the insurance claims process go faster. So, take your time carefully documenting the scene of the accident.

Obtain Witnesses

If there were any witnesses to the accident, ask them for their contact information. Their statements can provide valuable support for your case.

While this isn’t always possible or necessary, having an extra witness statement is always helpful to help with any legal claims or police reports.

Limit Communication

While exchanging information with the involved parties is essential, avoid discussing fault or assigning blame at the scene. Stick to the facts when talking to the police, other drivers, and witnesses.

Always try to keep a cool head and focus purely on the accident and how best to deal with it. While your emotional condition can be difficult after a semi-truck accident, staying calm and collected will make the process easier to manage.

Contact Your Insurance Company

As soon as you’ve dealt with the accident, notify your insurance company about what happened. They will guide you on the necessary steps for filing a claim and getting compensation.

Having reliable insurance is one of the most essential parts of starting a trucking company. Once you’ve found the right commercial truck insurance provider, ensure you know how to reach them in an emergency.

Seek Medical Attention

Even if you don’t feel seriously injured, seeking medical attention after an accident is always advisable. Some injuries might not be immediately apparent and could become more significant as time passes.

Avoid Settlement Agreements

While this differs from case to case, it’s generally best to avoid settlement agreements immediately.

Do not sign any settlement agreements or release forms from the trucking company or their insurance representatives without consulting your legal counsel. Make sure you deal with a lawyer when going through settlement negotiations. This will help you get the best deal and compensation for your situation.

You must consult an attorney if the accident resulted in significant injuries, damages, or disputes. Try to consult with a personal injury attorney specializing in commercial vehicle accidents. They often offer a free consultation – so make use of these.

Conclusion

Semi-truck accidents may be the last thing you’ll ever want to deal with. However, they sometimes cannot be avoided.

Knowing how to deal with these accidents will help you get through the accident faster and safer. Following the proper steps will also make it easier to get an appropriate settlement after the accident.

If you need to purchase a new semi-truck, you may need to find the right financing solution to make it happen. Get in touch with us at Mission Financial Services, where we help all kinds of commercial truck drivers access the financing they need to purchase a semi-truck.