Examine Your Business Truck Insurance Needs

Some questions to ask as you shop for commercial truck insurance: • Are your trucks used in interstate commerce? • Do you deliver to terminals or warehouses? • Are your drivers involved in the loading/unloading process? • What is the estimated value per year of the shipments you handle? • Do you own your own trucks or are they owned by your drivers? • Are you covering the medical expenses of your drivers? These will help you to narrow down the types of business truck insurance available for purchase to only those policies that apply to your specific commercial trucking insurance needs.

I recommend: I recommend: A list of the specific types of commercial trucking insurance is available at the Commercial Truck Insurance website.

Find Truck Insurance Companies

There are a number of truck insurance companies offering packages specific to the commercial trucking industry. Truck insurance companies specialize in your business, which typically means they have the most up-to-date information and products available to fit your changing business needs.

I recommend: Whether you're using flat beds, auto transporters or refrigerated trucks, you can find insurance coverage specific to your business. In order to find an insurer that can handle your policy properly, look for an insurer with good track records in the following areas:
Claims Service
Coverages
Filings
Risk Control Resources
Competitive Pricing
Agent Relationships
Years Insurance Company has Insured Truckers
Financial Stability of the Company  

Comparing Truck Insurance Agencies

Once you've found a few insurers who can handle your business, compare them.

I recommend: Download this insurance checklist. Determine which agency has the coverage you need at a price you can manage. You can find a list of insurers that specialize in trucking insurance at American Trucking Associations website. Various trucking organizations can provide you with information on insurers, as well as other resources.

Obtain Truck Insurance Quotes

When shopping for truckers insurance, understand the factors that determine your premium upfront. By doing so, you may be able to lower your premium through altering a few of the criteria. Here's how the business truck insurance industry bases its pricing: driver age; years of driving experience; years employed; driving record; accidents; years operating in name; where you drive; what you haul; equipment operated; deductibles; DOT safety record; and your safety program. By amending your deductibles or showing regular practice of your safety program, you could shave a decent percentage from your premium. Be sure to ask the various truck insurance agencies how you might be able to reduce your premium.

I recommend: Take this How Do You Rate? exam to see where your drivers' areas of improvement might be. Requiring driving training of your drivers may also help – check out the various driver training schools available.