Coverage needs will vary depending on whether the buyer is a large trucking company or an independent owner/operator.  These examples are just a few of the myriad of coverage types you can find.

Primary Liability

This covers the cost of damages to the truck, as well as bodily injury sustained in an accident.  This is the most basic type of commercial truck insurance and is required by law for all commercial truck drivers to have for minimum protection.

General Freight

General freight insurance covers your cargo for a specified dollar amount agreed upon by you and your insurance carrier.  Many basic freight insurances plans do not exceed $100,000, though higher plans are available. A deductible payment may also be required.

Physical Damage

Independent owner/operators would be wise to consider one of these policies.  It covers the cost of damage to the driver’s truck on or off the road.  Physical damage insurance coverage is applied in an accident regardless of fault; so independent haulers don’t have to pay out of pocket for costly repairs. It also covers accidents and natural disasters like tornadoes or fire, as well as cases of vandalism such as theft.

Non-Trucking Liability

Another policy designed for independent truckers, non-trucking liability covers truck drivers when an employer is not covering them.  It is an effective means to save money, because drivers only pay for deliveries and trips when they are not otherwise being covered by a motor carrier’s liability insurance, such as return trips after the freight has been delivered.

Commercial Truck Insurance Packages

If you are still trying to find the commercial truck insurance package that best fits your needs, consider reading these two blog postings about non-trucking liability and a guide to getting the right coverage.

The many forms of commercial truck insurance provide motor carriers and independent owner/operators with all the coverage they need to protect themselves and their assets.

The following are several examples of coverage options for both large companies and independent haulers.

General Liability

This coverage protects company employees and vehicles with liability coverage.  Damage and injury costs are covered for employees and employers are given protection against lawsuits from accident victims.

Primary Liability

This type of coverage is required by federal regulations and covers damage and injury costs incurred by third party motorists involved in accidents caused by commercial truck drivers.

Physical Damage

Independent drivers are encouraged to purchase these policies in order to protect their own assets, such as their trucks.  Damages caused by fires, theft, vandalism, and accidents will be covered up to a pre-determined amount. Considered the minimum policy coverage a driver should purchase to feel protected from the various situations that occur.

Non-Trucking Insurance

This form of liability insurance is a more cost-effective form of coverage for independent drivers.  It covers drivers when not on active dispatch and therefore not covered by their contracted employer’s policy.

Trailer Interchange Insurance

This coverage is for instances in which trailers are being exchanged between two different companies.  Trailer interchange coverage will cover the cost of any damages to the trailer or its cargo while being hauled by an outside party.

Cargo Insurance

Many commercial truck insurance policies do not cover the actual cargo, just the truck itself. Cargo insurance protects the goods that are being transported, as well as protects if those goods fall out or cause harm to another driver.

Freight Insurance

General freight insurance protects companies that haul dried goods ranging in value from $10,000- $100,000. Freight valued higher than $100,000 typically needs additional coverage.

Dump Truck Insurance

The defining quality of Dump Truck Insurance is the mechanical moving parts of the truck. Because the back of the dump truck is a machine itself, it requires special a policy for those that could be injured by operating it.

Commercial Truck Insurance Blogs

If you would like to learn more about commercial truck insurance policies, read these following blogs from industry experts: http://royaltytruckinsurance.com/blog/2011/08/commercial-truck-insurance-guide-to-getting-the-right-coverage/ and http://royaltytruckinsurance.com/blog/2011/07/commercial-truck-insurance-protecting-personal-assets/

The ruling was in favor of the commercial truck insurance company, who defendant and Los Angeles resident Roland Polanco accused of negligence that resulted in his arrest that allegedly triggered a seizure and cost him further medical bills.  The commercial truck insurance agent allegedly failed to call Polanco’s bank to verify his identification after receiving call from Polanco’s girlfriend and learning the bank had authenticity concerns regarding a check they had issued to him.

Polanco suffered a neurological disorder and is currently receiving checks from a workers compensation insurance policy the truck insurance company covered him under.  Only later, after Polanco was arrested and suffered a seizure, did the insurance agent call Los Angeles police to verify the authenticity of the check.

According to the published reports of the court, the justices ruled in favor of the commercial truck insurance company, stating the agent had no specific legal obligation to place the call to the bank.  Though the case was dismissed in favor of the insurance company, it seems the entire incident could have been avoided with better customer service regarding the claim.

If there is always an open line of communication between insurance agents, claimants and insurance providers, situations like these can be completely avoided.  All it takes is a little personal service—in this case, one simple phone call in real time to the bank would have prevented the Polanco’s unnecessary arrest and possibly even his seizure.  It certainly would have prevented a four-year court case that was ultimately dismissed by the Court of Appeals.

When choosing a commercial truck insurance company, always make sure you trust your agent to provide you with expedient and detailed service in the case of a claim.  Without reasonable customer service, truck insurance claims can be a lot more difficult on both insurance companies and customers alike than they really need to be.