Working under the auspice of a semi-truck company provides a degree of built-in insurance coverage for truck drivers because companies are legally required to have a certain amount of insurance to conduct business. Naturally, a company must protect its own interests first. Yet, there are obvious benefits for you — at least, as it pertains to the company. However, you have an obligation to yourself to protect your own interest. After all, it is your career. Maintaining good standing on your CDL is directly linked to your driving record and reputation. Although obtaining independent trucking insurance is required for owner-operators, it is a good idea for any commercially licensed road warrior. The key word for any type of trucking insurance is liability. Here are the types of independent trucking insurance that can help protect you — and your professional standing.
Liability Insurance – Primary
Liability insurance is necessary for any licensed driver operating a motor vehicle of any sort. However, for truck drivers, the threshold minimum of liability happens to be a lot higher than for automobiles. When you are in charge of navigating a big rig over every U.S. Interstate, it is a pretty good bet that you will be held to a higher fiscal standard of liability requirement. Primary liability insurance is mandatory — and non-negotiable. You do not have a choice about this type of insurance. You simply must have it.
Passenger Accident
It is not unusual for truck drivers to have traveling companions on the road. Actually, it is a very common occurrence. The road can be a lonely place and having a passenger sitting beside you helps keep things lively. Passenger accident insurance lends coverage to scenarios of accidental harm and injury, including cases of death or dismemberment. While this is obviously a worst-case scenario, it is still crucial to have this type of coverage because accidents do happen.
Non-Trucking Liability
This is sometimes known as ‘deadhead’ insurance. Essentially, if the rig isn’t on the move and it is parked in your personal property or space, then this type of insurance still covers the semi-truck. Truck drivers sometimes avoid the need for non-trucking liability by parking their rigs within a dedicated space that the company must technically cover. However, if you should decide to move the truck into an area that isn’t covered by the company’s standing insurance policy, it is important to make sure there is still adequate coverage. In such a case, non-trucking liability would be the appropriate selection.
Bobtail and Unladen Liability
The nature of these two policies deal with the actual trailer — or lack thereof. Bobtail liability coverage protects you when the rig is operating without an attached trailer. Unladen liability coverage slightly varies in its protective range. With unladen liability, you are covered when operating a rig with an empty trailer. Both types of insurance provide coverage whether you are on company business or on your own time.
Give us a call today at 800-667-7640 to find out how obtaining an independent Moose Jaw trucking insurance policy can keep you in the drivers’ seat and your career on a concrete track.