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When we think about factors that increase Commercial Truck Insurance costs, we often think about accidents. And, yes, preventing accidents should be a priority if you want to lower insurance costs. Still, there is another often-forgotten factor that can also increase truck insurance costs – drivers being sedentary and staying in one position for hours on end.

Not many jobs are more sedentary than driving a truck, and sitting in one position can cause several issues, from stiff muscles to back pain and more. In fact, the National Library of Medicine reports, “The prevalence of low back pain in truck drivers was 59%.”

One simple solution can help reduce the frequency of these issues - stretching before, during, and after a trip and during regular workouts. “Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy, and we need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints,” according to the Harvard Medical School. “Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they are weak and unable to extend all the way. That puts you at risk for joint pain, strains, and muscle damage.”

6 Stretching Tips for Truck Drivers

Before beginning any workout routine – including stretching, it’s always best to consult with a physician. Here are six tips to keep in mind.

1. Avoid stretching cold muscles
2. Understand the difference between dynamic and static stretching
3. Stretch your whole body
4. Breathe with your stretches
5. Stretches should not be painful
6. Hold your static stretches

And remember, it may have taken you months or even years to get to the point you’re at now, so don’t expect one five-minute stretching workout to work miracles. You need to continue to stretch regularly over time to achieve flexibility, relieve tension, reduce fatigue, and improve your posture. In addition, you need to continue stretching to maintain the benefits achieved.

17 Stretches for Truck Drivers

Once you’ve consulted with your physician, the following stretches can be done before you begin driving, during breaks, after you’re done driving, or during your regular workout. Hold each stretch for five to thirty seconds and do five reps at a time. If you don’t have time to do all the stretches, focus on the areas that feel the tightest.

Click here for detailed instructions and a video demonstrating each stretch.

            LEG STRETCHES

1. Toe Raises
2. Hamstring Stretch
3. Calf Stretch
4. Thigh Stretch

       BACK STRETCHES

5. Back Extension
6. Knees to Chest Stretch

SHOULDER STRETCHES

7. Simmer’s Stretch
8. Stretch Across
9. Butterfly Stretch
10. Reach for the Sky

NECK STRETCHES

11. Chin Tuck
12. Upper Trap Stretch

ELBOW STRETCH

13. Triceps Stretch

HAND STRETCHES

14. Open/Closed Fist
15. Thumb Stretch
16. Wrist Flexion/Extension
17. Prayer Stretch

And remember, these stretches should not cause pain. If you feel pain, you may be stretching too deeply or too soon. If you feel pain, ease off the stretch and keep stretching without pushing the muscle too hard. Over time, as you become more flexible, you should be able to stretch more deeply without feeling pain.

Get Affordable Commercial Truck Insurance

American Insuring Group is committed to providing affordable truck insurance. We analyze your specific risks and needs and provide savings and safety tips (like the stretching information in this blog). Furthermore, as independent agents, we compare the cost of your coverage with multiple insurance companies to ensure that you pay the lowest premium for the right coverage.

▸ Call us today at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online!

If you are or are planning to become an independent owner-operator, you must ensure that you have the right Commercial Truck Insurance coverage. One serious accident without proper insurance can put you out of business. On the other hand, paying for coverage you don't need can seriously affect your bottom line.

You're probably busy, and insurance can be complicated, so it may be tempting to pass the job of getting insurance onto someone else, like your broker or carrier. But no one else has as much invested in the success of your business or knows your specific needs as well as you do. Therefore, you must be informed and knowledgeable about insurance to ensure you get the coverage best suited to your unique needs.

What Type of Insurance is Available to Independent Drivers?

There are several types of insurance coverage that you may need as an independent driver. Of course, you probably do not need all of them, but it's important to consider potential risks and available insurance protection:

• Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance protects you if you are liable for property damage. The Insurance Information Institute states, "CGL coverage is one of the most important insurance products due to the negative impact that a lawsuit can have on a business and because such liability suits happen so frequently."
• Cargo Insurance protects against loss from legal liability for damage to goods or merchandise in your care and custody while in transit. It also provides coverage for things like debris removal and refrigeration breakdown.
• Trailer Interchange Insurance covers the insured's legal liability for damage to the trailers of others.
• Physical Damage Insurance typically insures your truck against damages from collisions, vandalism, fire, and theft. Most lenders require that you have this type of insurance.
• Non-Trucking Coverage is for those things that are not directly related to the trucking operation. For example, this coverage would include an occupational accident for the truckers and insurance for trucks that drive without cargo (i.e., the cargo has been delivered, and the truck is coming back empty).
• Passenger Accident Insurance covers the cost of medical expenses or accidental death to passengers in your vehicle who are not employees.
• Bob Tail Insurance ) is a liability insurance that provides coverage when operating a truck without an attached trailer or semitrailer.

What Affects the Cost of Truck Insurance for Independent Drivers?

Understanding the factors that affect the cost of your insurance can help lower your premiums. Here are some things that affect the price of truck insurance for independent drivers:

• Experience – Some insurance companies require a minimum of three years of CDL experience before they will even issue you a policy.
• Your Driving Record – The better your driving record – the fewer accidents and violations - the lower your insurance premiums.
• Cargo You're Hauling – Some types of cargo are more susceptible to theft or damage, which will increase insurance costs. And high-value cargo is also more expensive to insure.
• The Type, Age, and Condition of Your Truck – Larger and heavier trucks are more prone to accidents and can cause more damage, so that insurance may be higher. In addition, a truck with a higher price tag will also be more expensive to insure. However, safety features can lower the cost of insurance.
• Location – Some states require more insurance coverage than others. Plus, the more miles you need to travel also affects the cost of insurance, and some routes are considered more hazardous due to weather conditions, population, etc.
• Deductible – Your deductible is the amount of money you will be required to pay before your insurance kicks in when you make a claim. The higher your deductible, the lower your premiums. But you need to ensure that you have enough funds to cover the deductible if you need to make a claim.
• Payment Plan – If you can pay the premium in full – rather than in several payments - many insurance companies will offer a discount.

How to Get the Right Trucking Insurance for Your Needs

To get the right coverage and the lowest cost, talk to one of the agents at American Insuring Group. We specialize in truck insurance and we know your unique challenges and needs. Furthermore, as independent agents, we compare coverage and premiums among many insurance companies to ensure you pay the lowest price for quality insurance protection.

Call us today at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 or connect with us online.

Unfortunately, many experienced drivers become immune to hazards affecting Commercial Truck Insurance costs. Therefore, drivers and management must be regularly reminded of common driving hazards, the consequences of ignoring them, and how to avoid them. 

One such hazard is driver distraction. Of course, every driver knows that texting is dangerous, but it’s easy to forget or discount this fact when facing all the challenges of driving a truck. 

A driver might think, “Two seconds. That’s all I need—two seconds to let my wife know that I’ll be late tonight. If I take the time to pull over to send the text, I will be even later. I’m just going to send a quick text.” It seems innocent enough, but drivers must be reminded of the studies and research showing how even one quick text (or other driving distraction) can instantly change their lives. 

What is Driver Distraction?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) defines driver distraction as “the diversion of attention from activities critical for safe driving to a competing activity.” Distractions can come from inside – texting, eating, adjusting the radio, etc. - or outside – billboards, unusual sights, etc. If anything takes your eyes off the road, it is a distraction. If anything takes your mind off driving, it’s a distraction. If anything forces you to take your hand or hands off the wheel, it’s a distraction.

 The Potential Consequences of Distracted Driving

The most obvious and significant potential consequence of distracted driving is an accident, which can result in death, injuries, property damage, higher operating costs, litigation, and more. A severe accident can change a driver’s life, his family’s lives, and the lives of others forever! 

However, if the fear of an accident isn’t enough to persuade someone from driving distracted (it’s too easy to think, “It won’t happen to me.”), then the potential legal ramifications of certain distractions need to be considered. 

The FMCSA restricts the use of all handheld mobile devices by CMV drivers while operating a commercial vehicle.

 The FMCSA states, “This rulemaking restricts a CMV driver from holding a mobile device to make a call or dialing by pressing more than a single button. CMV drivers who use a mobile phone while driving can only use a hands-free phone located in close proximity.” Furthermore, “Using a handheld mobile phone while driving a CMV can result in driver disqualification. Penalties can be up to $2,750 for drivers and up to $11,000 for employers who allow or require drivers to use a handheld communications device while driving.” 

And finally, “Multiple convictions for texting while driving a CMV can result in a driver disqualification by FMCSA. Multiple violations of State law prohibiting texting while driving a CMV that requires a CDL is a serious traffic violation that could result in a CDL driver being disqualified for up to 120 days.” 

The Most Dangerous Distractions

An FMCSA study found that text messaging is the most dangerous distraction. Texting increases the chance of being involved in a safety-critical event (e.g., crash, near-crash, unintentional lane deviation) by 23 times. For example, if you’re driving 55 mph, writing a text takes your eyes off the road for about five seconds, and in those five seconds, you travel the length of a football field without looking at the road.

 Other “complex tertiary tasks” that increase your risk of an accident include the following:

• Other complex tasks, such as cleaning a side mirror or rummaging through a grocery bag – 10.07 times
• Interacting with or looking at a dispatching device – 9.93 times
• Writing – 8.98 times
• Using a calculator – 8.21 times
• Looking at a map – 7.02 times
• Dialing a cell phone – 5.93 times
• Reading – 3.97 times

 Other tasks that are less risky but can still distract a driver include the following:

• Using other electronic devices, such as cameras and two-way radios
• Personal grooming
• Eating
• Reaching for something
• Talking or listening on a hands-free phone

Fortunately, most distractions are avoidable.

Here's How to Lower Your Truck Insurance Costs

Reminding drivers of distractions and other hazards will minimize the risk of accidents and help lower your Truck Insurance premiums. In addition, the independent agents at American Insuring Group can help reduce all your insurance costs. We compare policies and prices among competing insurance carriers to get you the right truck insurance at a great price.

Call us today at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online!

The more accidents you have, the higher your operating and Truck Insurance costs; therefore, it makes sense to avoid accidents whenever possible. Large trucks are bigger and heavier than passenger vehicles and can cause more severe injuries and damage in an accident. In 2020, there were approximately 415,000 accidents involving large trucks, 4,444 were fatal crashes, and 101,000 were injury crashes, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). 

Many accidents are the result of skidding - when tires lose their grip or traction on the road – and understanding the leading causes of skidding can help drivers minimize the risk of skidding. Skids are typically caused by one of the following:

• Over-Braking – slamming on the brakes, which locks the wheels (the most common cause of skids)
• Over-Steering – turning the steering wheel more sharply than the truck can turn
• Driving Too Fast – Driving too fast based on the road conditions
• Over-Accelerating – Applying too much pedal pressure too quickly

4 Tips to Avoid Skidding in Commercial Trucks

Brake Correctly

It’s no surprise that over-braking is the most common cause of skids. If the car in front of you suddenly stops or something darts in front of you, the first instinct for most people is to slam on the brake pedal. Unfortunately, this can cause one or more of the duals or the steering axle brakes to lock up. If this happens, you can end up skidding or sliding sideways. 

Instead of slamming on the brake, gently ease pressure on the pedal. Once you’ve reduced your speed, feather the brake by applying light pressure and adjusting the pressure level as needed. 

Feathering allows air to get in between the brakes and the drum and helps cool the system. It does what anti-locking (ABS) is supposed to do. Unfortunately, exposure to the weather can cause erosion to the ABS, which often means it is not working as it should. 

Feathering is particularly crucial on slippery roads and steep hills. Here’s a video that shows how to feather the brake pedal. 

Use the Jake Brake

“As a big rig is working, the air is forced into the engine cylinders as it enters the intake valve. This causes the air to compress, which converts it into energy that can be distributed. Usually, the pistons take that energy and guide it to the rest of the vehicle to produce power,” Matheson explains. “However, when a Jake Brake is activated, that air is pushed out the exhaust valves instead of being used to power the crankshaft and down-stroke. This results in a drag on the crankshaft, slowing the vehicle without any extra friction on the service brakes.” 

Matheson also states, “Because of how a Jake Brake works, drivers should avoid using them when on slippery road surfaces”; however, many experienced drivers find keeping the Jake Brake switch on the lowest position when driving on slippery road surfaces helpful. 

Keep in mind that some areas have prohibited their use due to the noise Jake Brakes makes. 

Allow Enough Stopping Distance

One way to avoid the need for quick stopping is to allow enough stopping distance. The condition of the road, how fast you’re going, and the weight and height of your haul can all affect how much stopping distance is required. However, trucks will always need more stopping distance than passenger cars. 

For Example, the Utah Department of Transportation (UTDOT) states, “A passenger vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds, traveling under ideal conditions at a speed of 65 miles per hour would take 316 feet to stop (nearly the length of a football field). In comparison, a fully loaded tractor-trailer weighing 80,000 pounds traveling under ideal conditions at a speed of 65 miles per hour will take 525 feet to stop (almost the length of two football fields).” 

Mind Your Speed

We understand many truck drivers are under pressure to meet tight deadlines, but safety should always be a priority. The faster you are traveling, the longer it will take to stop your truck, so mind your speed – especially on wet or slippery roads or steep hills or if you are an inexperienced driver. 

Driving at the posted speed limit may not always be safe. Depending on the conditions, going below the speed limit may be wise. ‘In many areas, law enforcement can cite you for speeding if your speed was inappropriate for the road conditions, even if it was lower than the posted speed limit,” DSW states. “It’s better to be safe than sorry and to use your best judgment to determine a safe speed.” 

How to Pay Less for Truck Insurance

Avoiding skids is one way to lower Truck Insurance costs. Another way is to call American Insuring Group at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 or connect with us online. Our independent agents will compare the cost of your insurance among competing insurance companies so you will pay less for all of your commercial insurance needs.

A seat belt safety program is a must if you want to keep your drivers safe and your Commercial Truck Insurance costs in check. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that "transportation incidents were the number one cause of on-the-job deaths with 2,460 fatalities out of a total of 5,703 fatal occupational injuries recorded." And "The average cost to a company for each property damage only truck crash is $11,020 (in 2003 dollars); per injury truck crash it is $174,367; and per fatal truck crash, it is $3,469,962. The average cost for all truck crashes per truck crash is $62,613."

Why are Seatbelt Safety Programs Vital to Business success?

First of all, it is the law, and failure to wear a seatbelt can result in state or federal penalties to drivers and employers. Plus, if a driver refuses to wear their seatbelt and receives traffic tickets for it, it could substantially increase your insurance costs or cause your insurance company to cancel your policy.

The FMCSA reports that safety belts, especially lap/shoulder belts, are effective in reducing injuries and fatalities and the cost of operating large trucks:

• More than 1 in 3 truck drivers who died in crashes in 2012 were not wearing seat belts (CDC).
• Buckling up could have prevented up to 40% of these deaths (CDC)
• Of the 168 drivers who died as a result of being ejected from their trucks in 2007, almost 75 percent of them were not wearing safety belts (FMCSA)
• 51% of truck-occupant-fatalities in large trucks involve rollovers. In a rollover, a truck driver is 80% less likely to die when wearing a safety belt (FMCSA)

And yet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2013, one in six drivers of large trucks didn't wear seat belts.

Why Are Seat Belts Effective?

Here are some of the reasons seat bests are effective, according to the FMCSA:

• Seat belts spread the stress and impact forces of a crash along the stronger and broader areas of the body, such as the hips and shoulders, thereby limiting injuries.
• Seat belts hold you in place while the vehicle absorbs the crash's impact and decelerates.

• In a crash, a seat belt keeps the driver in place behind the steering wheel and in control of the vehicle, thereby avoiding or reducing the consequences of an accident.
• Seat belts can keep you from being knocked unconscious, improving your chances of escape. In less than 5% of fatal large truck crashes, fire or submersion occurs.

Tips for Creating a Seat Belt Safety Program

The FMCSA suggests the following tips to create a seat belt program:

1. Lead by example.
2. Assign a program coordinator from each department to lead the effort.
3. Allow employees to take an active role in safety decisions.
4. Develop a seat belt training program.
5. Evaluate your seat belt program.
6. Promote your successes.

Training should include information about safety requirements (federal, state, and company-wide), the high cost of truck accidents, how and why seat belts are effective, and how to ensure proper seat belt fit and maintenance.

Lower Your Truck Insurance Costs the Easy Way!

Another way to lower Truck Insurance costs is to call one of the Truck Insurance experts at American Insuring Group at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 or connect with us online.

We provide quality Truck Insurance at affordable prices by comparing policies among competing insurance companies and finding the right one to meet your needs!

More accidents mean higher Truck Insurance, so it's crucial that all truck drivers understand potential hazards and how to avoid them. One hazard common to all drivers is deer and other animals. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there was an upward trend in deaths from collisions with animals from 1975 to the mid-2000s, which has leveled off in the past few years.

In 2020 there were 202 deaths from collisions with animals, reaching costs as high as $1 billion annually in damages nationwide. While smaller vehicles often experience more damage when colliding with large animals, commercial trucks are not immune. Collisions with animals can result in injuries or death, damage to trucks and cargo, lost time, and loss of revenue.

Sometimes collisions with deer and other animals are unavoidable, but there are steps truck drivers can take to minimize the risk and the damage caused by these collisions.

Know where there is higher risk.

Deer sightings can occur just about anywhere, but there are certain areas and times that have a higher risk.

• According to the Insurance Information Institute, the top five states in 2021-2022 for the likelihood of animal-involved claims from a collision are West Virginia (1 in 35), Montana (1 in 44), South Dakota (1 in 51), Michigan (1 in 51, Wisconsin (1 in 54), and Pennsylvania (1 in 57). Therefore, drivers in these states should be more vigilant.
• Watch for the yellow, diamond-shaped signs with an image of a deer, which indicates an area of high-level deer activity. When you see one of these signs, you should be extra alert.
• According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, deer are most active during the dusk to dawn hours.
• Autumn (November – the peak, October, and December) are a deer's breeding season, and they may be less aware of their surroundings.
• In May and June, one-year-old deer begin to disperse to new areas.
• Less populated states and regions tend to have higher animal populations.
• Long stretches of isolated highways tend to have a higher risk of an animal darting in front of a truck.
• Rural highways built along creeks, rivers, and lakes attract deer.
• Heavily forested areas have higher animal populations.
• Areas where farmers are harvesting crops, can cause deer to run onto a road.
• During hunting season, deer are more likely to bolt in front of an oncoming vehicle.
• If you travel a route regularly, watch for a pattern of areas with higher activity of deer and other animals.
• Deer tend to travel in packs, so if you see one deer, chances are there are more nearby, and you need to remain on high alert.

Drive Safely

• Stay alert.
• Continually scan the road for signs of animals and activities.
• Use high beams when there is no oncoming traffic. Light can reflect off an animal's eyes, revealing its location.
• Always wear your seat belt.
• Eliminate distractions.
• Drive the posted speed limit.
• Never drive impaired.
• If driving on a multi-lane road, stay in the center lane to give you more time to respond if a deer runs onto the road.
• Don't tailgate. Allowing space between you and the vehicle in front of you provides a broader field of vision and more reaction time, enabling you to break rather than swerve if a deer runs in front of you or the vehicle in front of you.

Know what to do if a deer does come into your path.

If a deer or other animal crosses your path, try to stay in your lane and avoid the urge to swerve. Swerving can cause you to lose control and increase the chance of colliding with another vehicle or ending up in a ditch. Plus, deer can be unpredictable, and swerving may put the deer right in your path. It's better to hit the deer than risk veering off the road, overturning your truck, or hitting another vehicle.

Sometimes, using your horn can frighten the animal and keep them off the road.

If a collision is imminent, remove your foot from the brake because braking hard may cause the front end of your vehicle to go down, causing the animal to fly over your hood and towards your windshield.

How to Save on Truck Insurance

At American Insuring Group, we go beyond providing you with affordable truck insurance. First, we carefully analyze the needs and risks associated with your business. Then, we match you up with the best trucking insurance policy based on a careful analysis of many competing insurance companies. The result? You get the high-quality commercial insurance coverage you need at a very affordable price.

Get a free quote today by calling (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online.

Commercial Truck Insurance is essential to protect you, your business, and your commercial vehicle(s). However, many truck owner-operators and small fleet owners who come to us are over-insured, paying for insurance they don't need and producing a higher premium than necessary.

 Why? Perhaps it's the frightening statistics that cause this to happen. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in 2020, there were 4,444 fatal crashes involving large trucks

and 108,000 injury crashes involving large trucks or buses. Furthermore, the FMCSA reports that the average cost of property damage-only crashes was $15,114, the cost per non-fatal injury crash averaged $195,258, and the average cost of fatal crashes was well over $3 million per crash. 

Without the right insurance coverage, one significant accident could quickly put you out of business. Still, there is no reason to carry coverage for risks your business is not exposed to.

Commercial Truck Insurance is crucial to protect your business, employees, and fleet. Here’s why. In 2020, 4,998 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes, 108,000 large trucks or buses were involved in injury crashes, and 160,000 people were injured in large truck and bus crashes, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). 

Experts report, “The average cost of a commercial truck accident that includes an injured person is $148,279. If a fatality occurs, the cost can shoot up to over $7 million.” So one significant accident could put you out of business without the proper insurance. 

Ensuring that you have adequate insurance at the lowest cost is a balancing act that an experienced insurance agent can help you achieve. 

10 Tips to Lower Fleet Insurance Costs:

    Understand Fleet Insurance

It’s essential to understand what fleet insurance does and does not cover and what affects the cost of your premiums. Fleet insurance is available to businesses with two or more business vehicles, which can include trucks, cars, and most motorized equipment. Fleet insurance covers you against bodily injury and property damage when operating a company vehicle. It saves time and money as it eliminates the need to purchase a policy for each vehicle in your fleet.

Hire Good Drivers

Drivers can be your greatest asset or your greatest liability. Hire only drivers with clean driving records – no accidents, moving violations, or license points. Cleaner driving records mean lower insurance premiums. Plus, a driver with a clean driving record is less likely to be involved in an accident, which could further increase insurance premiums. Also, some insurance companies may charge more for younger drivers.

Purchase Vehicles Strategically

When you need to expand or decrease your fleet, consider the cost of repairs if the vehicle is in an accident and how each vehicle could affect your insurance premiums.

Combine Policies

Combining multiple commercial insurance policies with one insurance company could lower insurance premiums.

Ask About Discounts

Bundling policies, installing certain safety features, paying in advance, and other discounts can help lower your insurance premiums.

Consider Increasing Deductibles

The Insurance Information Institute defines a deductible as “the amount of money that you are responsible for paying toward an insured loss. When a disaster strikes your home, or you have a car accident, the deductible is subtracted, or ‘deducted,” from what your insurance pays toward a claim.” Typically, the higher your deductible, the lower your premiums. But before increasing your deductible, remember that you will need to have the amount of the deductible available when you make a claim.

Utilize Technology

There is a great deal of technology available today, such as GPS tracking, dash cams, or fleet telematics systems (FTS), that may lower your insurance premiums and improve overall safety.

Maintain High Safety Standards

Create a culture of safety in your organization that clearly communicates a priority on safety. Do this by following a zero-tolerance policy for impaired driving, encouraging regular breaks to reduce driver fatigue, requiring pre- and post-trip truck inspections, providing regular driver safety training, and instituting incentive programs to reward safe drivers.

Maintain Vehicles

Regular maintenance of your vehicles – oil changes, inspections, tire rotations, etc. – helps minimize the risk of mechanical failures and accidents, which will help lower insurance premiums.

Compare Costs

The cost of premiums can vary from one insurance brand to another – even for similar coverage. So it’s important to work with an independent agent who can compare the cost of your coverage with several insurance carriers.

 Start Saving on Fleet Insurance Today

The independent agents at American Insuring Group work with not just one but more than 25 competing brands of insurance to ensure you pay the lowest rate for your insurance coverage.

Contact us at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online and start saving on Fleet Insurance costs today!

Many drivers become owner-operators, so they can be their own boss and set their own hours, but being an owner-operator also comes with certain responsibilities, such as obtaining a USDOT number and purchasing the right Truck Insurance.

As an owner-operator, you are a self-employed truck driver with your own commercial trucking rig. You are a business owner who needs to protect your business with the right insurance. Whether you are an owner-operator under a permanent lease or an owner-operator with your own authority, there are both required and recommended types of insurance coverage you should have.

For example, interstate and intrastate carriers are required to file proof of insurance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), including commercial auto liability insurance from $750,000 to $5 million (depending on what type of cargo you are transporting). Some states and contracts will also require additional types of insurance.

Beyond these requirements, what (and how much) insurance you should have to protect your business can vary. Here are seven insurance coverages owner-operators should consider:

Collision Insurance 

Collision Insurance insures against damages to your truck and other vehicles in a collision-type accident.

Comprehensive Insurance

Comprehensive Insurance covers damages or losses that are not the result of a collision—vandalism, theft, fire, etc.

Commercial Liability Insurance

Commercial Liability Insurance protects you against loss from legal liability resulting from bodily injury or property damage to another party.

Cargo insurance 

Cargo insurance protects against loss from legal liability for damage to goods or merchandise in your care and custody while in transit. It also provides coverage for things like debris removal and refrigeration breakdown. 

Non-trucking coverage 

Non-trucking coverage is for those things that are not directly related to the trucking operation. For example, this coverage would include an occupational accident for the truckers and insurance for trucks that drive without cargo (i.e., the cargo has been delivered, and the truck is coming back empty).

Trailer Interchange Insurance

Trailer Interchange Insurance is available under the trucker's or the motor carrier policy form that covers the insured's legal liability for damage to the trailers of others. Coverage is also available, by endorsement, under the business auto policy (BAP). Under a trailer interchange +agreement, the motor carrier in possession of the trailer is responsible for any damage to the trailer, even if the trailer is not attached to the tractor.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Coverage

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Coverage helps pay for damage to your trick if someone hits you and does not have liability coverage.

In 2020, according to the National Safety Council (NSC), 4,842 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes, and 107,000 large trucks were involved in crashes resulting in injury. Without the right insurance, one significant accident can quickly put you out of business; therefore, it's crucial that you protect yourself, your business, and those around you with the right insurance coverage.

How to Get the Right Insurance Coverage at the Lowest Cost

At American Insuring Group, we go beyond providing you with affordable truck insurance. First, we carefully analyze the needs and risks associated with your business. Then, we match you up with the best trucking insurance policy based on a careful analysis of many competing insurance companies.

The result? You'll get the high-quality commercial insurance coverage you need at a very affordable price. Therefore, if you want the right insurance coverage at the lowest cost, call us at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online.

Most truck owners and fleet managers understand the importance of Truck Insurance to protect their business, employees, vehicles, etc. For example, Primary Liability Insurance (Aka Trucking Liability Insurance) helps cover the cost of injuries to other people or damage to other vehicles in the event of an accident. General Liability Insurance helps protect your business from the cost of lawsuits. Cargo Insurance helps cover the loss or damage to cargo in transit. And the list of truck insurance options goes on.

Every truck and fleet has unique insurance needs, and there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to Truck Insurance. That is why working with one of the experienced agents at American Insuring Group is crucial to business success.

Two types of insurance available to truck owners and fleet managers that are often used interchangeably are Umbrella Insurance and Excess Liability Insurance. The two are similar but slightly different. Let’s start with definitions provided by the International Risk Management Institute, Inc. (IRMI).

IRMI Definitions

Excess Liability Insurance — (1) A policy or bond covering the insured against certain hazards and applying only to loss or damage in excess of a stated amount or specified primary or self-insurance. (2) That portion of the amount insured that exceeds the amount retained by an entity for its own account.

Umbrella Liability Policy — a policy designed to provide protection against catastrophic losses. It generally is written over various primary liability policies, such as the business auto policy (BAP), commercial general liability (CGL) policy, watercraft and aircraft liability policies, and employers liability coverage. The umbrella policy serves three purposes: it provides excess limits when the limits of underlying liability policies are exhausted by the payment of claims; it drops down and picks up where the underlying policy leaves off when the aggregate limit of the underlying policy in question is exhausted by the payment of claims; and it provides protection against some claims not covered by the underlying policies, subject to the assumption by the named insured of a self-insured retention (SIR).

A Comparison of Excess Liability and Umbrella Liability

Those definitions are a good place to start, but let’s dive a little deeper and simplify them simultaneously. Both are designed to provide additional protection on claims. Both are additions to underlying policies designed to protect against particular risks and specific losses and are only triggered when the underlying policy line of insurance has been exhausted.

Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance is an example of an underlying policy. Every CGL policy has a financial limit. For example, if you have a $1 million limit on your policy and get sued for $1.2 million, you (not the insurance company) will be responsible for paying the difference. Either an Excess or Umbrella policy may help cover the difference.

Every policy also has a unique scope of covered risks and specific losses. If a loss occurs outside of those covered risks, insurance will not pay, and the financial responsibility will fall to you. However, an Umbrella Liability policy may provide protection against some claims not covered by the underlying policies. An Excess Insurance policy will not. An Excess Insurance policy is focused on financial limits and does not expand the terms or scope of the underlying policy.

If you are a driver with just one truck or a business with a small fleet, you may think either type of insurance would be a waste of money, but consider this: the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports, “The average cost of a large truck crash involving a fatality is $3.6 million per crash.”

Is Umbrella Liability or Excess Liability Insurance Right for me?

As we said earlier, every business’s insurance needs are unique. The best way to ensure you have the right insurance at the lowest cost is to work with one of the experienced, independent agents at American Insuring Group. We compare policies from multiple insurance companies to ensure you get the right protection at the right price!

Call today at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online.