Tractor Trailer Insurance

Posted on 22-08-2008

Tractor Trailer Insurance

Buying semi-truck insurance can be extremely frustrating. Knowing the right coverages for commercial truck insurance can be a daunting task for even the most experienced truckers. Commercial trucking insurance is one of your biggest expenses after your equipment and fuel.

Cheap Semi-truck insurance is not always the best buy. After an accident is not the time to find out you’re short on commercial truck insurance. While you shouldn’t be underinsured, being overinsured is a wasteful expense especially in tough times when every nickel counts. Your commercial truck insurance needs will be unique to your situation. If you have drivers you will need those drivers and their equipment covered. What about workmen’s compensation? While there are certain minimum requirements for the basic liablity and cargo insurance your choice of collision deductibles and the amounts of full liability, fire, cargo and other types of insurance involved will be up to you.

If you have no idea what you need or what’s available your best bet is to start with calling one insurance carrier and asking all of the questions you can. Most insurance companies have standard policy’s for small fleets and they are familiar with the different types of cargo and insurance and bond requirements.

Your next step is to call another insurance carrier and ask the same questions and the other questions you came up with while talking to the first agent. Take notes and repeat until you’re comfortable with the results and your new knowledge of insurance.

Now, you can compare quotes and coverages. You have to compare apples to apples policy’s iwth the same coverage limits and deductibles.

Now research the insurance company and make sure to the best of your ability they will be in business tomorrow and will still be there when you have an accident and need them.

When buying your tractor trailer insurance a few hours invested in the research necessary will save many headaches later. You should have an ongoing relationship with your commercial truck insurance agent to be able to save money and cut expenses, but have the best service possible when your semi truck insurance is needed.

Comments

Paul Kostelac on 23 August, 2008 at 12:25 pm #

The variety of trucking businesses and their unique risks present significant opportunities for insurance professionals to either help or hinder their clients.

Any explanation of insurance should start with the difference between a “broker” and an “agent”. By law the agent works for and is an extension of the insurance company who compensates him or her a variety of ways. A broker must work for the insurance buyer and is paid by commission only if he or she actually sells a policy.

Truckers should always work with BROKERS to price and purchase property casualty insurance. The best situation is a broker who works transportation exclusively, he or she will have more expertise and knowledge of the products necessary to properly cover the unique risks that are inherent to the differing transportation businesses.

Jesse on 3 November, 2008 at 9:18 am #

need trucking liability insurance