Whether you’re a trucking company or an independent owner-operator (O/O), finding the right insurance at the best prices is a must to keep your business safe, profitable, and sustainable. How can you be sure you're choosing solid coverage that will protect you when you need it most?
Start With Primary Liability Insurance
We’ve already talked about why it’s so important to carry a primary liability insurance policy. You’re looking at a bare minimum of $750,000 to cover potential bodily injury and/or property damage to third parties. Truth be told, a primary liability policy of at least $1M is really more realistic, both to satisfy clients and ensure you’re well-protected. Motor carriers will generally provide O/Os under a permanent lease (LO/O) with a primary liability package. O/Os with authority will need to secure their own primary liability coverage. No worries–your neighborhood trucking insurance expert is right here.
General Liability Insurance
As a motor carrier or O/O, you definitely need commercial general liability (GL) insurance. GL is much broader than primary liability, focusing on third-party property damage, bodily harm and injury. What does that mean in practical terms? GL insurance covers accidents that happen to a client or other non-employee when trucks are stationary, such as during loading and unloading trailers or third-party slip-and-fall accidents. Medical expenses and reimbursement for missed work are also part of the deal. In fatal accidents, GL has your back as well. GL can also be called public liability insurance and O/Os with authority, freight forwarders, and motor carriers are required by law to carry this coverage. It’s good to know that a GL policy can also cover customer property damage and advertising injury while it staves off high costs from lawsuits and court-ordered judgments. Plus, having this vital coverage can help you to get in the running for coveted leases and contracts. When might advertising injury come into the picture? Well let’s say an ad campaign you run or a logo you design inadvertently copies something a competitor has already done (copyright infringement) or leads to accusations of defamation, libel, or slander? It can and has happened, and it’s another space where GL insurance saves the day. If an everyday accident–like dropping a heavy product load onto a weak surface or shelf–results in broken client property, GL insurance will swoop in to make things right. Even simple mistakes can be costly in your world–General Liability Insurance is here to prevent that.
How Much Does General Liability Coverage Cost?
Costs could vary widely from one driver to the next, but there are certain known factors can affect the cost of any type of trucking insurance:
Ownership status
Vehicle type and quantity
Driving history and experience
Driver age
Claims history
Business location
Operating radius
Downtime storage location
Cargo types
Business type
Coverage limits
Deductible amount
While GL claims are some of the costliest, the frequency of these claims is low enough to make it one of the most affordable kinds of coverage. That said, if the criteria used to determine cost spell higher risk, then costs could climb higher. To get the most accurate estimate, it’s vital to have a clear idea of what your truck is worth, along with all the other above-listed factors. And no matter the policy premium, there are always ways to save. Your trusted Insurance For Truckers and Zinc agent can help.
Work With Trucking Insurance Pros
Truckers are a busy lot. As regulations shift and countless factors come into play, it can be difficult to know which coverage is best, and hard to find the time to figure things out. And since each state has their own insurance requirements, there’s a lot to know. Meanwhile, you want to be sure you’re not paying more than you should. It’s good to know there’s help at the ready, from Insurance For Truckers and Zinc. This trained group of trucking insurance experts knows your industry, but can also help you to decipher coverage options and insurance jargon to track down the right policy. So let’s get you on the road to protecting yourself and your livelihood while still operating a profitable business. Reach out today to learn more and request a free quote to get the ball rolling.
