Independent Truckers Insurance Needs

Truckers insurance will vary quite a bit between independent owner/operators and W2 staffed truck drivers.

Independent truckers in the commercial truck industry may have certain advantages over drivers who work directly for large trucking companies.  They can choose to work when they want or need to and not feel constrained as a full time employee.  Owning your own truck can also be a big plus.

You get to customize it however you want to fit your needs and your style.  You can take your cab out whenever you want for whatever reason you may have.

The flipside to that is the fact that you are responsible for insuring yourself and your truck rather than having trucking insurance coverage provided by an employer.  Truckers insurance will vary slightly depending on your employment status.

It is true that some employers will cover independents under their blanket liability policies while under contract, but those contracted drivers are no longer covered as soon as the job is done.  Even return trips from successful hauls will not be covered. 

Non-Trucking Liability

In order to make up for these lapses in trucking liability insurance coverage, all independent drivers should consider purchasing a non-trucking liability policy.  Non-trucking liability is the most common independent truckers insurance. Non-trucking liability protects you from the cost of damages and bodily injury due to accidents while not on dispatch.  Non-trucking liability is also a less expensive alternative than full trucking insurance coverage.

Physical Damage Insurance

It is also important that your property is protected when you are on the job or off.  Physical damage insurance provides compensation for damages sustained in accidents, regardless of fault.  It also covers costs associated with fires, theft, and vandalism. 

Even though liability coverage is legally required and physical damage insurance is not, independent drivers should definitely consider physical damage insurance policies or some type of comprehensive insurance to better protect against economic losses.

Related Trucking Insurance Articles:
For more trucking insurance articles related to this one, visit some of our other titles, including Commercial Truck Insurance: Occupational Accident Insurance for Independent Haulers and Truck Insurance Basics: Independent Trucker and Motor Carrier Insurance Policies