Truckers liability insurance is a kind of policy that safeguards transportation professionals in the event of a collision. Both property damage and any associated medical costs for injuries the other party sustained in an accident would be covered under this policy. Furthermore, if a truck driver is sued in the event of a collision, this coverage will assist in covering their legal expenses.
You should be aware that to operate legally, liability insurance is a minimum requirement for all transportation companies. This article will address the significance of truckers liability insurance, in addition to what is and isn’t covered, factors that affect your rates, and the dangers the trucking sector encounters daily.
Truckers Liability Insurance
As previously mentioned, the main goal of truckers liability insurance is to safeguard your company by covering the expenses that you’re legally required to pay if you cause someone harm or damage their property.
Please keep in mind that your injuries and any damage to your truck won’t be covered by your auto liability insurance. This would be covered by collision and comprehensive coverage, which will need to be purchased separately to prevent high out-of-pocket expenditures.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of truckers liability insurance will change from business to business because every organization is unique and has a distinct amount of risk. Insurance carriers will examine a variety of factors about your business before providing you with a quote. Since these variables have a significant impact on your rates, you must take proactive measures to mitigate the risks.
Some of the elements affecting the price of your truckers liability insurance include:
- Year, make, and model of your truck
- Cargo you transport
- Hauling radius
- Past violations (clearinghouse CDL)
- Claims history
- Experience level
For the list of the top 10 commercial truck insurance companies, refer to our blog.
Risks in the Trucking Industry
The trucking sector has numerous risk elements, which may explain why truckers liability insurance is required. Some will be discussed further below.
Fatigue
Truck drivers work long hours with inconsistent sleep habits, resulting in sleep deprivation and exhaustion. Ordinarily, enough rest can cure fatigue; however, given a driver’s strict schedule, this may be difficult. Nonetheless, adequate rest is crucial.
Fatigue, in essence, diminishes concentration, decreases response time, and elevates the likelihood of errors being made. Tragically, many of these blunders can result in injury, death, and costly litigation.
Health Problems
Traveling for weeks at a time might result in an unhealthy lifestyle. Considering truck drivers generally have strict delivery deadlines, many prefer quick and easy meal options such as fast food, which tends to have little nutritional value. On top of that, there’s often an absence of physical exercise.
Over time, such routines could have a severe impact on your general health, resulting in heart problems, obesity, and diabetes. As a result, if you engage in long-haul trucking, you must maintain a regular sleep pattern, consume nutritious food, and rest when appropriate. Not to mention, prioritizing driver fitness will increase alertness and boost overall job performance.
Tight Schedules
Truck drivers must deliver the load on schedule and under the pressure of extremely tight deadlines. Due to the emotional strain of deadlines, drivers frequently speed or make quick maneuvers to get where they’re going on time, which can result in an accident.
