Insurance

Truck insurance might seem complicated and overwhelming, but that’s why our team is here. We’re transportation experts who help businesses insure their commercial vehicles all day, every day. We understand the risks you face and the coverages you need to protect your business from them. Our goal is to make truck insurance as easy as possible.

Part of that includes the articles below. The following articles explain different concepts and different coverages that your truck business might need. Commercial vehicle insurance might seem overwhelming, but that’s why we’ve broken down different topics into smaller, manageable articles. From deductibles to physical damage coverage, we’ve compiled useful information for any trucking business to have.

So, take some time to click through and read the posts below. They’re there for you to read at your leisure. We hope that you enjoy the content and find it helpful as you begin the process of getting coverage for your trucks.

How can I change from one type of truck operating authority to another?

April 17, 2019April 17, 2019 by Truck Insurance Quotes

It's important to make sure you have the right truck operating authority.

If you find that you need to choose a truck operating authority after being exempt in the past, or you need to change from one type of operating authority to another, you can do so using the process outlined below. A thorough understanding of how operating authorities work and what they require can help you save time and money during the process. Since your truck operating authority could impact the insurance you are required to carry, choosing the right model for your business is essential if you want to ensure you are getting the best possible rates on your insurance.

What do I do if I get a warning letter from the FMCSA?

April 12, 2019April 12, 2019 by Truck Insurance Quotes

Here's what to do if you get an FMCSA warning letter.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is responsible for making sure that commercial trucks and drivers are safe enough to be on America’s highways. To protect the public, the FMCSA completes regular inspections of equipment, driver log books, records of violations, and more. If your business is found to have a violation, the FMCSA will then notify the motor carrier of violations by mail in the form of a warning letter.

What does the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC cover?

April 12, 2019April 10, 2019 by Truck Insurance Quotes

It's important to review your insurance coverages as you grow your fleet.

Regular maintenance for your trucks and fleet vehicles does more than just prevent you from experiencing emergency repair work costs and downtime; it enhances your safety on the roadways, too. As a trucker or an organization that owns trucks, if you perform deliveries or shipping services, you are also required to comply with key maintenance and safety regulations from the FMCSA. One way to track how well you are doing is the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC program; learning more about this safety program will help keep your drivers and others safe on the roads and ensure you remain in compliance.

Until I get my own operating authority, can I lease my services to a for-hire carrier with operating rights?

April 8, 2019April 5, 2019 by Truck Insurance Quotes

If you don't have an operating authority, you could work for a for-hire carrier.

One common question from truckers who have not yet obtained their operating authority (MC number) from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is whether they can still lease their services to a for-hire carrier that has operating rights. According to Section 376.11, the answer is yes as long as the trucker meets all FMCSA requirements.

What hazardous materials require a Hazardous Materials Safety Permit?

April 8, 2019April 3, 2019 by Truck Insurance Quotes

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces a program known as Hazardous Materials Safety Permit (HMSP). The purpose is to increase safety for the driving public and commercial truck drivers. The FMCSA maintains a database outlining the types of materials that require truckers to obtain a permit before they can transport them. We include this information below.

What is a trucking company’s CSP (Company Safety Profile)?

April 8, 2019March 27, 2019 by Truck Insurance Quotes

A CSP contains crash information about a motor carrier.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a division of the federal Department of Transportation (DOT), retains safety information for every commercial carrier that drives on public roads. It also keeps a safety record for every trucking company or independent owner-operator. Although it stores several types of documents, the Company Safety Profile (CSP) is by far the most comprehensive.

What is the difference between interstate and intrastate commerce?

April 8, 2019March 25, 2019 by Truck Insurance Quotes

There's a difference between interstate and intrastate commerce.

Interstate commerce and intrastate commerce refer to two different ways of transporting cargo or people. The term interstate means that the commercial truck driver moves cargo or people across state lines. Specifically, it includes the following definitions:

Between a place inside of a state and a place outside of a state, including outside of the country
Between two destinations inside of a state going through another state or outside of the country
Between two places within a state as part of transportation, traffic, or trade that originates or terminates outside of the state or outside of the United States

What is a private motor carrier?

April 19, 2019March 22, 2019 by Truck Insurance Quotes

Find out what a private motor carrier is.

The term private motor carrier refers to a commercial trucking company that transports the cargo it produces rather than outsourcing the job to another company or independent owner-operator. Businesses that operate as a private motor carrier typically produce, sell, or use the cargo it produces and transports. The main thing that distinguishes a private motor carrier from other types of motor carriers is that they do not deliver anyone else’s goods, and they do not make deliveries for financial compensation.

Who is required to carry cargo insurance?

April 8, 2019March 22, 2019 by Truck Insurance Quotes

It's important to carry cargo insurance.

While all motor carriers must carry a limited amount of liability insurance, this is only the basic requirement and it offers no protection for the goods you carry. You need to carry cargo insurance to guard against financial loss from damage to your cargo while in transit or storage. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires truckers who transport household goods and freight forwarders of household goods to carry at least a minimum amount of cargo insurance in case the load becomes damaged or destroyed due to situations beyond the trucker’s control.

What’s the difference: Motor carrier, broker, and freight forwarder authority

April 8, 2019March 20, 2019 by Truck Insurance Quotes

Find out how a motor carrier, broker, and freight forwarder are different.

Do the terms you hear used in the trucking industry sometimes make it seem like people are speaking a foreign language? They aren’t, of course, but it never hurts to seek clarity to ensure that you’re following all rules depending on the type of trucking business you operate or who you work under. The terms motor carrier, broker, and freight forwarder authority can become especially confusing when you’re new to the business.