truck insurance

What is the difference between interstate and intrastate commerce?

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

Read moreWhat is the difference between interstate and intrastate commerce?

What is a private motor carrier?

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.

Read moreWhat is a private motor carrier?

Who is required to carry cargo insurance?

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.

Read moreWho is required to carry cargo insurance?

What is the difference between a surplus lines and an admitted carrier?

Admitted carriers are different than surplus lines carriers.

Surplus lines and admitted carriers both do the same thing – they provide insurance coverage for fleets and commercial vehicles. The differences between the two have to do with licensing, rates, and coverage options. Surplus lines coverage is designed for those users who can’t access traditional coverage (via admitted carriers) and features higher fees and more complex application and claims processes. We’ll explain the difference between the two.

Read moreWhat is the difference between a surplus lines and an admitted carrier?

Can I get my own primary liability and cargo if I’m leased to a motor carrier

If you're leased onto a motor carrier, you need to make sure you have the right primary liability insurance and cargo insurance.

Primary liability insurance is the only coverage for commercial truckers mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This is basic coverage and proof of financial responsibility that you must have before you can drive. The purpose of primary liability insurance is to cover claims for bodily injury and property damage that you cause to others while operating your vehicle. It does not cover any losses that you suffer, regardless of who was at fault for causing them.

Read moreCan I get my own primary liability and cargo if I’m leased to a motor carrier

3 things to consider before adding a new vehicle to your fleet

If you add a new vehicle to your fleet, consider your insurance coverage.

Adding a new truck, van, or even a company car to your fleet can solve many problems, save you time, and allow you to scale up your operations, provided you are truly ready to make the switch. Before you upgrade, consider the following questions to be sure you are ready and that you will be able to get the best possible return on your truck investment.

Read more3 things to consider before adding a new vehicle to your fleet

What insurance coverage do I need to get my truck tags?

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in every state requires both personal and commercial vehicles to obtain truck tags for license plates on an annual basis. The amount that drivers must pay for these truck tags depends on several factors, including age and type of the vehicle. Just as drivers of personal vehicles must prove they have minimum liability insurance, the same is true of commercial truckers. You will need to demonstrate that you have primary liability coverage to drive a commercial truck as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Read moreWhat insurance coverage do I need to get my truck tags?

Find the right truck insurance coverage with this checklist

It's important to make sure that you have the truck insurance coverage.

It can be hard to figure out what kind of truck insurance coverage you need. Different types of trucking businesses need different types of insurance to make sure they’re protected from the various risks they face. Here’s a handy checklist that details a few different types of businesses and the insurance that’s important for them.

Read moreFind the right truck insurance coverage with this checklist

How to evaluate quotes for truck insurance

It's important to evaluate quotes for truck insurance.

Whether you are in the market for dump truck insurance, tow truck insurance, box truck insurance or any other type of insurance for a commercial vehicle, you need to know how to get truck insurance quotes and then compare them. This will help you make a decision about which insurance you purchase. We’ve got some tips and guidelines for evaluating quotes.

Read moreHow to evaluate quotes for truck insurance

What is the difference between primary liability and secondary liability

There's a difference between primary liability and secondary liability.

Primary liability insurance for truckers is a type of policy they must carry under the mandates of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It is the minimum insurance requirement that you must obtain when you operate or own a single commercial truck or a fleet of trucks. It provides you and other motorists with a basic level of financial protection in the event of a truck accident.

Read moreWhat is the difference between primary liability and secondary liability