Being an owner-operator of a commercial truck comes with plenty of advantages, but with an equal amount of responsibilities. Indeed, you DO have control over your truck operation, but you will need owner-operator insurance to protect your investment.
Just recently purchased your own truck and decided to go independent? Good for you! Now you have the freedom to haul your preferred goods and drive where you wish to!
But slow down — first, you need to make sure your investment stays safe.
Being an owner-operator of a commercial truck comes with plenty of advantages, but with an equal amount of responsibilities. Indeed, you DO have control over your truck operation, but you will need owner-operator insurance to protect your investment.
Don’t wait for an accident to happen. Feel the maximum potential of your truck business with peace of mind that you and your vehicle obtain with proper insurance.
Read through to learn more about recommended commercial truck insurance coverages as well as the insurance applicable to interstate drivers.
Owner operator insurance is a liability insurance for all independent truck operators. Due to the massive size of a commercial truck, it can potentially cause larger damage and more severe injuries on the road. With that, as a truck operator, you are expected to obtain this insurance to cover the damages you might cause in case of a road accident.
Without liability insurance, an owner-operator may encounter financial difficulties if a major collision or road accident occurs. Many independent contractors face liability charges due to accidents and are forced to shut down their hauling business because of the lack of proper insurance to cover them.
Typically, truck owners are offered $750,000 to $5 million in insurance to maintain their hauling operations steady in case of an unforeseen accident.
To assist you in deciding on the best insurance policy to obtain, take note of the following insurance coverage:
This insurance is frequently combined with property damage liability Insurance. If in case you get into an accident that places other people in danger, this insurance should pay the amount you are obliged to pay. Aside from that, you can obtain legitimate defense through this insurance in case you get sued by the involved parties.
Other related costs that you could be legally obligated to pay due to the accident include:
As mentioned beforehand, property damage liability is obtained together with bodily injury liability insurance. This insurance should prevent you from shelling out money out of your pocket to pay for any damage you may have caused on anyone else’s property.
When it comes to property, anything tangible that you cause damage upon is included in the coverage. For instance, if you swerved to avoid an animal on the road and accidentally collided with another car; you can pay for the damages using this insurance.
Similar to previous insurance coverage, property damage liability can cover legal defense expenses in case you are sued as a result of the damages.
Any insurance coverage that secures your vehicle belongs under physical damage coverage. The liability insurance could include collision and comprehensive insurance, depending on your preference.
Here we will further discuss the differences and benefits of each.
Depending on the extent of damage to your vehicle and the amount of insurance you purchase, your collision insurance can cover the repairs or replacements your truck needs.
If the damage to your vehicle is not caused by a collision or accident, comprehensive insurance coverage can pay for the repair or replacement of the vehicle or its parts.
Damages other than collisions covered under this insurance include:
One of the most critical insurances for independent contractors is motor truck cargo insurance. This provides coverage for freight, commodity, goods, or items that you are hauling and transporting.
In case of lost or damaged cargo due to fire, collision, or theft, this liability insurance should pay for the amount required from you.
Frequently confused with previous coverage, motor truck general liability covers any damage or injury you may have caused while performing business activities. Take note that these damages or injuries are directly unrelated to ones caused by your truck; it focuses more on your trucking business operations.
The amount varies widely across insurance companies. Some pay as low as 4 figures yearly or as much as 8 figures yearly. Factors that affect owner-operator truck insurance costs include:
If you are an interstate driver, often covering distances of thousands of miles, there is special insurance coverage for you. Typically, owner-operators that exceed a radius of 300 miles on a regular basis are eligible to purchase securities tailored for interstate business.
Once more, coverage varies widely across insurance companies. Some of the common coverage and limits for insurers that cover the business of long-haul truckers include the following:
Carefully examining the coverage presented to you is vital to obtaining the most comprehensive protection you can get for your trucking business. While affordable insurance may seem reasonable, it does not offer you the most extensive coverage.
Basic liability coverage like motor truck cargo general liability is similar across almost all insurance companies, so pay close attention to the limits and deductibles. You don’t want to get owner-operator insurance that costs $50,000 when you have to shell out almost half the amount as deductible.
Keep your trucking business and your revenue safe with reliable owner operator truck liability insurance. You will never know when an accident on the road happens. It’s more beneficial to invest in insurance now than pay for damages out of your own pocket later!
