Trucking Insurance Coverages

Understanding Your Protection Options

Each coverage serves a specific purpose. We'll help you build the right package for your operation.

Liability
Physical Damage
Cargo
General Liability
Bobtail/NTL
Trailer Interchange

Liability Coverage

Primary Protection for Your Trucking Business

What It Covers:

  • Bodily Injury: Injuries to others in an accident you cause
  • Property Damage: Damage to others' property in an accident
  • Legal Defense: Attorney fees and court costs
  • Settlements/Judgments: Payments you're legally obligated to make

Typical Limits:

  • FMCSA Minimum: $750,000 (for most interstate carriers)
  • Broker Standard: $1,000,000 - Required by most load boards
  • Recommended: $1,000,000+ for adequate protection

Who Needs This:

  • All owner-operators with their own authority
  • Fleets with company-owned trucks
  • Required for DOT operating authority
  • Required by brokers and shippers

Key Considerations:

  • Limits must meet your highest contract requirement
  • Higher limits available (up to $5M+)
  • Combined single limit (CSL) vs split limits
  • Verify state-specific requirements
Get Liability Quote

Physical Damage Coverage

Protects Your Truck Investment

Two Components:

  • Collision: Damage from accidents with other vehicles or objects
  • Comprehensive: Non-collision damage (theft, fire, vandalism, weather)

Coverage Details:

  • Actual Cash Value: Pays market value at time of loss
  • Agreed Value: Pre-set value for specialized equipment
  • Deductibles: Typically $1,000 - $5,000 (affects premium)
  • Additional Equipment: Can include sleepers, APUs, special gear

Who Needs This:

  • Truck owners with financing/loans (required by lenders)
  • Newer trucks with significant value
  • Specialized equipment owners
  • Owner-operators who can't afford downtime

Cost Factors:

  • Truck age, make, model, and value
  • Driver experience and MVR
  • Annual mileage and radius
  • Deductible selection
  • Theft rates in operating areas
Get Physical Damage Quote

Motor Truck Cargo Coverage

Protects the Freight You Haul

What It Covers:

  • Load Damage: From accident, overturn, fire, collision
  • Theft: Cargo stolen from truck/trailer
  • Spoilage: Refrigerated load temperature failure
  • Loading/Unloading: Damage during handling

Commodity Types:

  • General Freight: Palletized, boxed goods
  • Refrigerated: Food, pharmaceuticals, perishables
  • Flatbed: Building materials, machinery, steel
  • Tanker: Liquid/dry bulk, hazardous materials
  • Auto Transport: Vehicles on car carriers

Coverage Limits:

  • Standard: $100,000 per truck
  • Typical: $100,000 - $250,000
  • High-Value: $500,000 - $1,000,000+
  • Per Shipment: Limits per individual load

Important Notes:

  • Exclusions often include: money, securities, livestock
  • Hazardous materials require special coverage
  • Refrigerated units need temperature monitoring
  • Broker contracts specify required limits
  • Some commodities have sub-limits
Get Cargo Coverage Quote

General Liability Coverage

Business Operations Protection

What It Covers:

  • Premises Liability: Injuries at your business location
  • Operations Liability: Non-trucking business activities
  • Products/Completed Operations: After services rendered
  • Advertising Injury: Libel, slander, copyright infringement
  • Medical Payments: Small medical bills regardless of fault

Typical Limits:

  • Per Occurrence: $1,000,000
  • Aggregate: $2,000,000 (total per policy period)
  • Property Damage: Included in occurrence limit
  • Higher Limits: Available for larger operations

Who Needs This:

  • Trucking companies with office/terminal space
  • Operations with employees at fixed locations
  • Businesses that host clients/vendors onsite
  • Required by some commercial leases
  • Protects against slip/fall claims at your office

Not Covered:

  • Auto/truck accidents (covered by auto liability)
  • Professional errors (needs professional liability)
  • Employee injuries (workers compensation)
  • Intentional/criminal acts
Get GL Quote

Bobtail / Non-Trucking Liability

Coverage When You're Not Under Dispatch

Two Types of Coverage:

  • Bobtail Liability: When truck is used for personal reasons
  • Non-Trucking Liability (NTL): When truck is used for any non-business purpose
  • Deadhead Coverage: Traveling without a load (empty)

When It Applies:

  • Driving home after delivering last load
  • Going to/from truck repair shop
  • Personal use of truck
  • Between leases or contracts
  • When not under carrier dispatch

Essential For:

  • Owner-operators leased to carriers
  • Independent contractors with own authority
  • When primary liability is through carrier/motor carrier
  • To fill gaps in primary coverage

Coverage Details:

  • Typical Limits: $1,000,000 (matches primary liability)
  • Exclusions: Business/commercial use
  • Required by: Many leasing agreements
  • Standalone policy: Separate from primary liability
Get Bobtail Quote

Trailer Interchange Coverage

Protection for Trailers You Don't Own

What It Covers:

  • Physical Damage: To non-owned trailers in your possession
  • Collision: Damage from accidents
  • Comprehensive: Theft, vandalism, fire, weather
  • Liability Protection: For damage to borrowed trailers

Common Situations:

  • Hauling carrier/shipper-owned trailers
  • Using trailer from leasing company
  • Intermodal/drayage operations
  • Borrowing trailers from other operators
  • Drop-and-hook operations

Coverage Limits:

  • Typical: $15,000 - $25,000 per trailer
  • Higher Limits: $50,000+ for specialized equipment
  • Aggregate Limits: Total for all trailers
  • Deductibles: Usually $1,000 - $2,500

Required By:

  • Trailer leasing companies
  • Intermodal agreements
  • Shipper/carrier contracts
  • Equipment interchange agreements

Important Note:

This does NOT replace cargo coverage. It only covers the trailer itself, not the freight inside.

Get Trailer Interchange Quote

Build Your Coverage Package

Every operation is different. Let us help you select the right coverages for your specific needs.

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