Flatbed trailers haul large, bulky items like heavy-duty vehicles, machinery and more. Because a flatbed trailer must use chains and other specialized equipment to secure loads, there tends to be more risk with driving these trucks compared to others. To manage risks, you must get the right flatbed truck insurance coverages.
How to get great flatbed truck insurance
1. Figure out what kinds of coverage you need
If you need flatbed insurance, you’ll need a policy that covers the kinds of risks that you have in your daily operations, such as navigating bumpy roads or hauling dangerous goods.
You’ll also want insurance to cover the physical damage of your trailer. This insurance is probably mandatory if you are financing your trailer. However, it is still essential even if you are not. After all, your trailer was a huge investment that costs a lot to replace.
2. Learn about the different types of coverage
The next step is to learn more about the different types of coverages that are available for flatbed trailers. Liability coverage is required by law. Physical damage coverage is not mandatory but we highly recommend it. These are two important coverages to consider, but they’re not the only ones.
Physical damage coverage
This coverage pays for physical damage to your flatbed trailer. There are two types of physical damage coverage — comprehensive and collision. Comprehensive covers things that are typically not caused by a crash. An example would be theft. So, if someone steals your flatbed trailer, it would be covered under comprehensive as long as it is on your policy. Another example would be hail damage. Comprehensive can pay for damage that results from hail and other natural disasters.
Collision insurance also covers physical damage to your flatbed trailer. However, this insurance only pays if the damage is the result of a crash or collision. So, if you fall asleep at the wheel and drive off the road, collision coverage would pay for damages to your truck.
Auto liability coverage
Auto liability insurance is required under law for flatbed trailer operators. You cannot operate a flatbed trailer without the proper liability insurance. Liability would pay for damage to other people’s property of vehicles as the result of an accident that is your fault. Liability insurance also covers the other person’s medical bills that are due to an injury received in the crash.
Liability insurance is broken down into two parts — property damage and bodily injury. The bodily injury coverage pays for the other party’s medical expenses and injuries resulting from the accident. Liability pays out if you are at full or partial fault.
Property damage insurance covers the cost of property that is damaged in an accident. So, if you hit another vehicle and that car is totaled, then property damage would pay for the car.
3. Get flatbed trailer insurance quotes
The last step in finding a great flatbed trailer insurance policy is to get and compare multiple quotes. To do that, you would normally need to call around to the different insurance companies providing the same information over-and-over again. We have a better way of comparing rates on flatbed trailer insurance. Simply fill out this convenient form or give us a call and we will do the rest for you.
We’ll get multiple quotes on different policies from various companies. Just look over the coverages and choose the one that is best for your needs. It really is that easy. All you have to do to get started with your quotes is fill out our online quote form or give us a call today.