Commercial Trucking Insurance
Why Do I Need Truck Insurance?
Operating commercial trucks in Texas comes with significant responsibility, including ensuring you have the right insurance to safeguard against unforeseen liabilities and protect your business assets. At VOS Insurance Agency, we specialize in providing robust insurance solutions for Texas truck owners, delivering the security and confidence needed to navigate the complexities of the road ahead. Our expertise in Texas’s trucking insurance regulations and DOT standards means we’re uniquely positioned to offer comprehensive protection for our clients.
Commercial trucking insurance is more than just a regulatory requirement; it’s a critical shield for your business against the volatility of the road. This insurance not only offers liability protection but also extends coverages that are essential for minimizing financial losses from unexpected incidents. Whether you’re a sole operator or manage a fleet, our policies are tailored to meet the diverse needs of the trucking industry.
We cover an extensive range of commercial vehicles, ensuring your operations are fully protected, regardless of the nature of your trucking activities. Our coverage includes:
- Box trucks
- Dump trucks
- Tractor-trailers
- 18-wheelers
- Flatbed trucks
- Tow trucks
- Garbage trucks
- Auto trailers
So, Do I need commercial trucking insurance?
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Texas Trucking Liability Insurance
If your commercial truck is involved in an accident in Texas or elsewhere, it could cause significant damage to others on or off the road. Your truck could be involved in an accident, damage a loading dock, or even cause environmental damage. It is important to understand your potential risks and purchase sufficient insurance protection to mitigate those risks.
An auto liability policy designed specifically for commercial trucks can protect you against the financial risk that could come from unintentionally harming other people and their property.
Coverage Limits
The amount of coverage Texas commercial truck owners need depends on a number of factors, including the type, size, and number of trucks you need to cover. Some truck insurance companies require truckers purchase a minimum of $100,000 of insurance, with recommended coverage of up to $1 million. Your VOS Insurance professional can help you determine your coverage needs.
Physical Damage
Physical damage coverage for a commercial truck in Texas is similar to comprehensive and collision coverages for your personal auto. If your truck needs repairs after an accident, stolen, vandalized, or otherwise damaged, your physical damage coverage protects your bottom line.
Cargo Insurance
It’s important to insure your commercial truck in Texas, but it’s also important to insure the cargo you’re carrying. Cargo insurance does just that, helping protect you from having to pay for lost or damaged cargo out of pocket. Most truckers don’t own the cargo they are transporting. Truckers are usually required to purchase a minimum of $50,000 in cargo insurance, with recommended coverage of up to $100,000.
Non-Trucking Liability
Non-trucking liability coverage, sometimes incorrectly referred to as “bobtail” insurance, provides insurance coverage when you use your truck for non-business related activities. For example, going to the movies, picking up groceries, attending sporting events, or visiting friends would all be covered activities.
Trailer Interchange
Texas commercial truck owners often enter into trailer interchange agreements with other carriers, to haul other carriers’ trailers. If you are responsible for damage to another carrier’s trailer, your trailer interchange insurance covers your legal liability.
Uninsured Motorist Insurance
Unfortunately, there are vehicles on Texas-area roadways that are uninsured or underinsured. Uninsured motorist coverage can protect you if your commercial truck is involved in an accident where the at-fault driver either doesn’t have any insurance or has inadequate insurance coverage.
Medical Payments Insurance
If your Texas commercial truck is involved in an accident or incident that injured others or where death is involved, commercial truck medical payments coverage pays for medical expenses that are reasonable and necessary, as well as paying funeral costs for people who lost their lives as the result of the accident.
Owner-Operator Truck Insurance
Whether you are under a lease with another motor carrier or operate your Texas commercial truck under your own authority, you need the types of commercial trucking insurance described above.
If your truck is subject to a permanent lease arrangement with another carrier, that carrier likely provides some insurance coverage. However, such insurance is generally designed to protect the other carrier from third-party liability, not to protect you. Purchasing non-trucking liability insurance coverage can close the gap in coverage between you and the carrier’s insurance.
Owner-Operator Insurance Requirements
If you are operating your Texas commercial trucking business independently, Federal law requires you to purchase commercial auto liability coverage of at least $750,000. The state of Texas also mandates minimum amounts of insurance coverage. Truckers and trucking companies are responsible for making sure they meet minimum requirements.
Do You Have the Commercial Trucking Insurance You Need? VOS Insurance Agency Can Help!
Companies that use large trucks need commercial truck insurance policies in Texas designed to meet both state and federal requirements. In addition to providing liability protection, your insurance policy should be designed to protect your investment in your business.
At VOS Insurance Agency, we help businesses that own just one or two large trucks as well as companies that own fleets of commercial vehicles. We’ll work closely with you to understand your business so we can propose insurance solutions to protect it. To learn more and to get a free commercial trucking insurance quote, contact us in Texas today.
