Trucking Liability Insurance

Need Trucking Liability Insurance? We Got You.

When it comes to insurance for truckers, you may think you need only commercial auto coverage. That’s why you might be surprised to learn that many trucking companies may now require their drivers to carry general liability insurance for truckers in addition to their normal commercial auto coverage.

This policy —- which you might have also seen as “trucking liability insurance” — covers you financially in case any of your business activities caused damage or harm to a customer, another third party, or someone else’s property.

Ready to learn more about truckers general liability insurance, including why you may be required to get it?

We got you!

Benefits of Trucking Liability Insurance

• It may protect your business from expensive claims
• It can help cover damages caused by your business activities
• It can provide proof of GL coverage to your customers
• It may be legally required where you live

What is Trucking General Liability Insurance?

Trucking general liability insurance is a type of business insurance policy that can cover you financially in case you cause property damage or harm to a customer or third party, while working. If you operate a specialized truck you may need to have a GL policy that will cover the unique risks associated with your vehicle and line of work.

If all this sounds daunting, it doesn’t have to be. Simply Business can help you compare online truck insurance quotes so that you can find the best truck insurance rates for your exact needs.

How Does General Liability for Truckers Differ from Commercial Auto Insurance?

Trucking liability insurance is different from commercial auto in that it typically covers the potential risks and accidents that happen while not driving your truck. Trucker liability insurance generally covers things like delivering a customer’s order. In these scenarios, there’s a lot that could happen outside your truck which you want to be covered for…

And that’s exactly where general liability insurance for truckers comes into play.

This policy can cover incidents such as:

• Customers getting injured or harmed while on your premises
• Property damage that happens while working outside your truck (like at a truck stop)
• And more

As more employers require truck drivers to have this policy, carrying general liability insurance for your trucking company is a smart way to stay safe and potentially get more business.

We like to call that a win-win!

So to recap, general liability for truckers will typically cover incidents occurring outside of the truck, including:

• Bodily injury to another person
• Third-party property damage
• Personal and advertising injury
• Medical expenses
• And more

Your GL insurance may not include:

• Damage to your own property
• Professional services
• Workers compensation or injury to your employees
• Damage to your work
• Motor vehicles while in business use
• Expected or intentional injury or damage
• And more

Do Independent Truck Drivers Need Their Own Liability Insurance?

The answer is, it really depends on the carrier and what they require from you. Some carriers may be fine without it, while others may want to see proof of trucking liability insurance before awarding you a job.

Carrier requirements aside, you may find that having trucking liability insurance just makes financial sense. While other policies like commercial auto help keep you covered while you’re driving, general liability insurance will typically cover those incidents that happen while you’re out of your truck but still on the job.

But what happens if you don’t have this coverage?

Well, you’d likely have to pay for that damage out of your own pocket with your own resources.

So whether a carrier requires you to have general liability for truckers or you just think it’s a good idea to have it, we’re here to help you get covered by letting you compare quotes from heavy truck insurance companies.

How to Get Commercial Truck Insurance:

1. Get your trucking liability insurance requirements & details together.

It’s helpful to have all your business paperwork in one place, so you can get your general liability insurance policy without interruptions.

2. Click “Get a Quote.”

You can select the button at the top of this page or click this link to be taken to our quote form. Alternatively, call 844-654-7272 to speak to a broker.

3. Fill out our fast and easy general liability insurance for trucking quote form.

It usually takes less than 10 minutes to fill it out — really!

4. Buy your policy and feel good about being insured.

At the end of the quote form, you may see quotes for general liability for truckers. If you see a policy you like, just select “Buy” to get insured.

5. Download your general liability trucking insurance certificate (COI).

Once you’ve purchased your policy, your insurer will provide you with a Certificate of Insurance, which shows proof you’re insured. Your insurer may email your COI to you, or you can download it right from your customer account.

Trucking Liability Insurance FAQs

• How much does commercial truck insurance cost?

  The price of general liability for truckers may vary. That’s because your policy price is determined by a number of factors, which can include:

  • Your business location(s)
  • The number of employees you have (ie, payroll)
  • Your business’s annual revenue
  • And more

  Want to see how much your GL policy may cost? Get a quote and discover general liability policies that start as low as $20.50/month*.

• What law governs insurance coverage for interstate trucking?

  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) — which is responsible for issuing trucking business permits — may not issue you a permit if you don’t have trucking liability insurance.

  Additionally, some states may require you to have trucking liability insurance coverage. Learn more about specific state insurance requirements.

• Is truck insurance tax deductible?

  Business insurance is typically considered a tax-deductible expense. However, we’re not tax experts, so speak to a financial advisor if you have more questions about tax deductions for your business.

• Do you need general liability insurance as a truck driver?

  You’ll likely find that you’re required to have general liability insurance as a truck driver, especially if you’re hauling expensive cargo or hazardous materials.

• What should I consider before buying trucking liability insurance?

  If you’re looking for trucking liability insurance, keep these important factors in mind:

  • Find an insurer that specializes in covering truck drivers. Here at Simply Business, we work with insurance carriers that understand the special risks you face as a trucking company.
  • Know the level of coverage you may be required to have in order to meet licensing and/or carrier requirements.
  • Shop around to find the best budget options. If you’re short on time or don’t want to deal with the hassle of comparison shopping — and who does?

  Simply Business can help. Just fill out our handy quote form, and you may see policy options from the nation’s most trusted insurers.

• What does general liability for truckers cover?

  General liability insurance for truckers will usually cover incidents that occur outside of the truck, including:

  • Bodily injury to another person
  • Third-party physical damage
  • Personal and advertising injury
  • Medical expenses
  • And more

  For more information on what general liability insurance can cover, check out our general liability FAQ page or call an agent at 844-654-7272 to learn more!

• What is the cheapest state for commercial truck insurance?

  Many factors influence the rate for commercial truck insurance you pay, including the state where you’re located. These rates vary greatly by state and are typically based on a number of things, including the type of truck, driving record, and the level of coverage.

  State commercial truck insurance rates also aren’t the only thing that will have an effect on your bottom line. There are also other things to consider about a location such as each state’s trucking rules and regulations, as well as the average price of fuel in the state.

  Ultimately, to find out which state has the cheapest commercial truck insurance rates, you might want to go to the source and consult each state’s Department of Transportation or Department of Motor Vehicles so you can ask more about how the state calculates insurance premium rates.

Why Choose Simply Business?

Simply Business is an online business insurance platform that makes it easy to compare and buy policies from top insurers. We have over a decade of experience in making business insurance clear and simple for our customers.

We pride ourselves on making business insurance:

• Fast and Affordable: You have better things to focus on, like running your business. Find a quote from the best truck insurance company for you online or with agents over the phone. Our policies are fast, affordable, and ready when you are.
• Tailored to You: Forget one-size-fits-all insurance. Get the protection your business needs, when you need it. Compare quotes from top truck liability insurance companies and choose what works for you.
• Flexible with Coverage: Whether you need increased coverage for a cargo shipment or a policy to meet a carrier’s requirements, Simply Business can help.

After all, you’ve worked hard to grow your trucking company. That’s why we offer the best coverage to protect it.

*Monthly payment calculations (i) do not include initial premium down payment and (ii) may vary by state, insurance provider, and nature of your business. Averages based on July-September 2023 data of 10% of our total policies sold.

This content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide legal, tax, accounting, investment, or any other form of professional advice.