If you have a business that uses large commercial vehicles to haul or deliver goods, you need heavy truck insurance. This is the best way to safeguard your company from the financial impact of an accident. Robust infrastructure plans are fueling increased demand for heavy trucks, which is great news, but it’s essential to protect your assets.
Whether you’re self-employed or managing a fleet, heavy truck insurance is a must. At American Insurance Brokers, we can help you find a policy that meets your needs. We consider your required liability amounts, budget, and more. Our knowledgeable insurance agents have all the answers you need!
What Is Heavy Commercial Trucking?
The International Organization of Vehicle Manufacturers defines
heavy trucks as vehicles intended for the carriage of goods. Maximum authorized mass is over the limit of light commercial vehicles (ranging from 3.5 to 7 tons). Oversized or obscure dimensions would also be included in this classification.
Here are some examples:
- Hauling construction or farming equipment
- Carrying items that are unique in size, such as doublewide trailers
- Super loads that are over the dimensional norms
Whether it’s a wide load or particularly heavy equipment, there are different challenges associated with these types of trucks. They require qualified drivers, specific routes, and in some cases, escorts. Unfortunately, all of these precautions aren’t enough to guarantee you won’t get into an accident. After all, there’s no way to control other drivers on the road. This is why heavy truck insurance is the best way to protect your vehicle and financial health.
Types of Heavy Truck Insurance
Driving is always a risk, regardless of the vehicle you operate, but heavy trucks can be even more dangerous. From blind spots to bulky cargo, there’s a lot that can go wrong. When your vehicle is your way of making a living, it’s important to protect it. These types of commercial truck insurance can give you peace of mind wherever and whenever you hit the road.
Commercial Liability
Known as the most basic form of heavy truck insurance available, liability coverage may cover the cost of property damage and/or medical bills for other people if an accident is your fault. In some cases, it may even cover your legal defense costs in the event that you’re sued after an accident.
Physical damage
This group of insurance coverages can protect your truck in the event of a collision, as well as fire and theft situations. In some cases, natural disasters will also be under this umbrella of coverage.
Cargo
When it comes to commercial truck insurance, freight is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. Drivers and fleets alike need this coverage for cargo that is lost, damaged, or stolen. Find a plan that provides protection in the event of a fire, collision, or striking of a load.
Equipment insurance
If you use a flatbed trailer, you probably have ramps, chains, and tarps. All of this equipment is necessary for you to do your job, but it’s also costly. Coverage for these items can help you purchase replacements in the event that something is damaged or stolen.
Medical payments
Also known as MedPay, this type of coverage will kick in if you are injured in an accident while you’re on the job. Serious injuries can lead to mounting medical bills, which makes this a critical part of any heavy truck insurance policy.
Uninsured motorist
An accident with someone who is uninsured or underinsured can be incredibly stressful. This type of coverage will protect you and your passengers by providing financial compensation for medical bills, damages, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
Motor truck general liability
If something happens that isn’t directly related to driving, this type of coverage will kick in. Due to the nature of the job, most of these instances are related to loading and unloading cargo.
Workers’ compensation
Commonly referred to as workers’ comp, this is a mandatory form of insurance that nearly every type of business requires. It may cover medical costs and a portion of lost wages for employees who are injured on the job. In addition, it may protect companies from lawsuits relating to workplace conditions.
Understanding Heavy Truck Insurance Requirements
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and every individual state have specific insurance requirements for commercial trucks, personal vehicles used for company purposes, and other company vehicles/equipment.
Fortunately, we can handle these regulatory filings for you:
- BMC34: Record of cargo liability coverage
- BMC91-X: Demonstrates liability insurance, including bodily injury, property damage, or environmental restoration
- FMCSA: Proof of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration registration
- Form E and Form H: Shows you are meeting at least the minimum requirement for insurance in your home state
- MCS90: States your financial commitment meets the state’s minimum requirement
- OS/OW COI: Proof of sufficient liability insurance to operate oversized or overweight vehicles
- SR22: Demonstrates you have filed minimum liability insurance with your home state’s motor vehicle department
Every situation is unique, which is why our team will take a close look at your business to ensure accuracy. It’s also worth noting the importance of obtaining at least the minimum amount of insurance for your business in order to remain compliant with these laws. That said, heavy commercial trucks can cause a great deal of damage in an accident. This is why we urge our clients to consider more than the minimum.
Regardless of the type of coverage your operation needs, we can work with you to stay within a budget and fulfill federal and state requirements.
Why American Insurance Brokers for Heavy Truck Insurance?
Your job is to tackle the challenges of getting important freight to a final destination. At American Insurance Brokers, we want you to focus on these important trips, not insurance research.
With this mission in mind, we do the leg work for you. From unparalleled research to decades-long industry relationships, our agents know what they’re doing. We work with more than 35 A-rated insurance companies, so we can help you comparison-shop for the best price. Our team makes it easy to get several quotes in one place, so all you have to do is view a few options.
After you’re on board with us, you’ll reap the benefits for years to come. We offer free annual policy reviews for all of our clients. This is an opportunity for us to confirm you’re receiving the best coverage at a fair price.
Here’s what we look for:
- Low deductibles and high limits
- Compliance with all federal and state filings
- A responsible insurance company that is there when you need assistance
Your job requires the best heavy truck insurance money can buy, which is why we do extensive research. Taking your route, vehicle type, and fleet size into consideration, we can effectively create the best policy for your situation.
Get A Quote Today
While our roots are in Louisiana, we offer top notch service across the south. From high winds to driving rain, we know exactly what drivers in the region are up against. The states we serve include:
If you’re in the market for commercial truck insurance, we can connect you with effective policies and competitive rates. We are known for excellent customer service and unmatched expertise, which is why we are the first choice for heavy truck insurance in the southern U.S. Whether you use your trucks for deliveries or hauling materials to job sites, we can find insurance for your specific operation.
Speak to one of the trained insurance agents at American Insurance Brokers at 1-(800) 256-1177 to get a quote on your new policy.
