Liability insurance is designed to protect motorists who are found to be not at fault in an accident. Most every state in the United States requires at least liability coverage in order to operate a motor vehicle. Without liability insurance, motorists would be at risk of being forced to pay for damages caused by others or seek compensation through civil litigation.
Commercial trucks are also required to carry liability insurance. In most cases, motor carriers have a primary liability policy in place to cover the drivers who work for them. This coverage also often extends to the independent owner/operators who haul their goods on a contract basis.
Primary Liability Coverage Ends When The Job Is Done
Once the job is done and the trailer is detached, the independent driver will find his or herself without that coverage. Primary liability only covers independents when they are on active dispatch and does not even cover return trips from successful hauls.
Because liability insurance is required by law and having liability insurance is simply common sense, independent drivers need to find a way to keep themselves covered when off the job. This is known as non-trucking liability insurance.
Non-Trucking Liability
Non-trucking liability is a handy form of commercial truck insurance because it works just like a primary liability policy when a driver’s contracted employer’s coverage is invalid. It also saves drivers money because they only pay for it when they are not otherwise covered.
Additional Concerns
For full protection you will want to also purchase a comprehensive coverage policy to cover the cost of damages to your own truck, which liability insurance does not cover.
Want to read more about commercial truck insurance blogs? Why not learn more about various truck insurance coverage options?
