- Madeline Eby
Commercial Insurance Coverage

Commercial insurance is a type of insurance policy that is specifically designed to protect businesses and their assets. It covers a wide range of risks that businesses may face, including property damage, liability, and financial loss. Commercial insurance can include policies such as general liability insurance, property insurance, business interruption insurance, and cyber liability insurance, among others. The specific types of coverage included in a commercial insurance policy will depend on the nature of the business and the risks it faces. Some common types of businesses that might need commercial insurance include retail stores, office buildings, restaurants, and manufacturers, among others. The main goal of commercial insurance is to provide financial protection to businesses in the event of unexpected events, such as natural disasters, theft, or lawsuits. By purchasing commercial insurance, a business can protect its assets and reduce the financial impact of unforeseen events.
Most common types of truck insurance
Why is truck insurance coverage important?
Commercial trucking insurance is a vital form of coverage for owner-operators or small trucking businesses. If you use your truck for business purposes, it's crucial to have commercial truck insurance coverage. This type of coverage is mandatory if:
You offer services using your truck
You charge a fee for transporting goods or people with your truck
Your business involves towing equipment or trailers for commercial purposes
You have employees who drive the truck
The type of insurance you need depends on factors such as the type of truck your drivers use, the goods they carry, their experience, and the risks involved. Your insurance package will likely include multiple types of coverage, so it's important to understand each one and how they work.
What is Commercial Trucking Insurance?
Commercial truck insurance is a type of coverage that protects you from costly bills in case your trucks are involved in an accident. If you drive a personal car, you know you need auto insurance to be legal on the road, and commercial trucking insurance is no different.
This insurance covers you when you use your truck to transport goods, customers, materials, or animals. If you use your truck for personal and professional purposes, a commercial insurance policy will fill in the gaps left by your personal auto insurance. However, this is not always the case for larger commercial trucking companies.
Trucking insurance policies typically start with primary liability coverage and then build from there with additional coverages. Federal regulations/requirements require primary liability coverage to protect property and people from damage caused by your trucks. However, you should also consider other types of trucking insurance for your company.
It's important to know commercial truck insurance is not limited to businesses that specialize in cargo transportation. Any business that utilizes trucks for commercial purposes, such as food trucks, caterers, landscaping companies, snow plowers, and more, requires this coverage.
Common Types of Insurance for Trucking Companies
Commercial truck insurance providers offer various types of coverage based on the business size, the number and types of trucks, and the freight being transported. Here are the most common types:
Primary Liability Insurance: This covers any bodily injury and property damage you may cause while operating the truck on the road. Federal law requires this coverage for any business that uses or leases trucks.
General Liability Insurance: This insurance, which is required by the state, protects your business from incidents that occur off the road during your daily operations, such as slip-and-fall accidents and delivery errors.
Non-Trucking Liability or Bobtail Insurance: This coverage protects you when you use your truck for non-business purposes on your off days.
Physical Damage Coverage: This coverage covers repairs or replacement of your commercial truck due to theft, collision, vandalism, or natural disasters.
Motor Truck Cargo: This insurance protects the goods you transport, covering losses from collision, fire, or striking. For instance, if your truck is stuck in an ice storm or heavy traffic, this coverage protects your cargo.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists: This coverage protects you if you are hit by someone who does not have liability insurance.
Reefer Breakdown Coverage: If you own refrigerated trucks, this coverage covers the cost of refrigeration breakdown, lost cargo, or product damage from a collision. Certain products may be excluded, such as tobacco products, frozen food, or seafood.
It's important to remember that while cheaper trucking insurance may be tempting, it may not provide the protection you need. Basic liability insurance coverages may be similar across insurance providers, but you should thoroughly examine other coverages before making a decision.
These are just a few of the many policy options available to protect your commercial trucking investment. Other options include trailer interchange, rental reimbursement, and medical payment for truck drivers and riders. The cost of premiums varies, so it's best to speak with a reputable truck insurance company like us at CarrierHQ, for more information on which coverage options are best for you.
How Can You Get Commercial Insurance Coverage?
Obtaining commercial auto insurance is a straightforward process, and the best way to do so is by working with us at CarrierHQ! We'll evaluate your business operations and the way you use your vehicles to recommend the right coverage at a fair price.
Cost of Commercial Auto Insurance Policy
The cost of a commercial auto insurance policy varies, depending on several factors such as:
The size of your business
The number and types of vehicles to be insured
The number of employees who will drive the insured vehicles
The cost of the vehicles you hire
The level of risk involved in your business and driving practices
The amount of coverage you want
CarrierHQ can help you find a policy that is both affordable and offers adequate protection for your business.
Coverages at CarrierHQ
Over at CarrierHQ here are coverages we offer. Get a quote today or reach out to a CarrierHQ representative with any questions you may have!
General Liability
Auto Liability
Hired Auto Liability
Cargo Insurance
Trailer Interchange
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Property Damage & Bodily Injury Liability Coverage
What does trucking insurance cover?
Trucking insurance typically covers financial losses due to accidents or other incidents involving a truck, trailer, and/or cargo. Coverage as you'll learn can include liability for injury or property damage caused by the truck, insurance for physical damage to the truck and trailer, cargo coverage for loss or damage to transported goods, and insurance for uninsured or underinsured motorists. Some policies may also provide additional coverage for business interruption, pollution liability, and other risks specific to the trucking industry.
Most trucking insurance policies are designed to protect the trucking company in the event of an accident, injury, or theft. However, there are a variety of different types of trucking insurance, and each policy offers different coverage. The most common types of trucking insurance are liability, collision, and cargo insurance.
Understanding Trucking Insurance By Definition
Auto Liability is designed for incidents that you are found responsible for while using a company vehicle
General Liability provides coverage for the harm you may cause to others arising out of premises, operations, products, and completed operations
Collision insurance covers the truck in the event of an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
Cargo insurance covers the trucking company if its cargo is lost, damaged, or stolen.
Uninsured (UM)/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) is coverage for bodily injury and in some states, property damage incurred by an insured when an accident is caused by a motorist who is not insured/not sufficiently insured.
Trailer Interchange is physical damage insurance for trailers owned by other motor carriers and typically pulled under a trailer interchange agreement and protects you if the trailer is damaged by collision, fire, theft, explosion, or vandalism
There are also a variety of other types of trucking insurance, such as bobtail insurance, non-trucking liability insurance, and motor truck cargo insurance. When selecting a trucking insurance
Importance of Trucking Insurance
As stated in a previous blog, there is always more to know on the importance of trucking insurance. Trucking insurance is important for several reasons:
Legal requirements: In most countries, trucking companies are required by law to have liability insurance to cover damages and injury that their vehicles may cause to other people and property on the road.
Financial protection: Accidents and incidents involving trucks can result in costly damages and liability claims. Insurance provides financial protection against these losses and helps trucking companies avoid financial ruin in the event of an accident.
Reputation protection: Having adequate insurance coverage shows that a trucking company takes its responsibilities seriously and is committed to operating safely and professionally.
Compliance: Some shippers and customers may require trucking companies to have specific levels of insurance coverage before they will do business with them.
In summary, trucking insurance is important to meet legal requirements, provide financial protection, maintain a positive reputation, and remain in compliance with customer and industry requirements.
Steps To Get Trucking Insurance
To get trucking insurance, you can follow these steps:
Assess your needs: Determine the types and levels of coverage that you require based on your trucking operations, including the type of cargo you transport, the distances you cover, and any specific regulatory requirements.
Shop around: Contact several insurance providers and compare quotes to find the best coverage at the most affordable price.
Choose a reputable insurance provider: Select an insurance provider that has a good reputation in the trucking industry and a track record of handling claims efficiently and fairly.
Complete an application: Fill out an insurance application and provide the necessary information about your trucking operations, vehicles, and drivers.
Purchase the policy: Once you have chosen an insurance provider and completed the application, you can purchase the insurance policy and start coverage.
Review and update coverage: Regularly review your coverage to ensure that it continues to meet your needs, and update it as necessary to reflect changes in your trucking operations.
It's also a good idea to work with an insurance agent who specializes in trucking insurance, as they can help you understand your coverage options and make recommendations based on your specific needs. They can also help you navigate the claims process in the event of an accident or incident.
Who needs trucking insurance?
In short, the is answer, everybody does but if you own a trucking business, then you need to have trucking insurance. This type of insurance protects your business from liability in the event of an accident. Without trucking insurance, you could be on the hook for damages and injuries that occur as a result of your trucking activities.
Trucking insurance is required by law in most states, so it's important to be aware of the coverage you need. You can work with an insurance agent to get the right coverage for your business. Make sure to shop around and compare rates before you purchase a policy.
Why is cargo coverage important for commercial truck insurance?
Cargo coverage is insurance coverage that protects goods transported by land, sea, or air. Cargo insurance is a common insurance coverage option for commercial motor carriers. This type of insurance protects against financial losses due to damage, theft, or loss of goods in transit. Cargo coverage is typically purchased by the owner of the goods and is limited to a specific period of time, route, or set of circumstances. In this blog, our goal is to outline the importance, benefits, and cost of cargo insurance for commercial truck insurance.
What is cargo coverage?
Cargo coverage refers to an insurance policy that protects the owner of goods being transported from financial loss in case of damage or loss of the shipment during transit. The coverage applies to various modes of transportation including shipping, trucking, rail, and air. It covers the cost of the goods being shipped, as well as the cost of transportation and related expenses. The terms and conditions of a cargo coverage policy may vary depending on the type of goods being transported, the route, and the type of transportation used.
Importance of Cargo Coverage for Commercial Truck Insurance
There are a number of reasons why cargo coverage is important for commercial truck insurance. For one, it can help protect your truck and its contents in the event of an accident. Additionally, cargo coverage can also help to cover the cost of repairs if your truck is damaged while in transit.
Cargo coverage is especially important for businesses that rely on their trucks to transport goods or materials. In the event of an accident, cargo coverage can help ensure that your business is able to continue operating without interruption. If your truck is damaged while in transit, cargo coverage can also help to cover the cost of repairs so that your truck can get back on the road as soon as possible.
Overall, cargo coverage is an important part of commercial truck insurance for a number of reasons. If you rely on your truck to transport goods or materials, cargo coverage
Benefits of Cargo Insurance
There are many benefits to cargo insurance, which is insurance that protects your goods while in transit. This type of insurance can protect your business from loss or damage to your shipments, whether they are being transported by land, sea, or air. Cargo insurance can protect you from weather-related damage, theft, and other unexpected events. There are many benefits of cargo insurance, including protecting your shipment against loss or damage, getting paid for covered delays, and avoiding potential financial ruin in the event of a catastrophic loss.
Cargo insurance can be a vital part of your supply chain risk management strategy, and it is especially important for companies that ship high-value or time-sensitive goods. Whether you are an importer or an exporter, cargo insurance can give you peace of mind knowing that your shipment is protected.
If you are shipping goods, be sure to talk to your freight forwarder or customs broker about cargo insurance. They can help you understand your options and make sure you have the coverage you need.
Who Needs Cargo Insurance?
As a business owner, you know that protecting your products and inventory is essential to your success. But what about protecting your shipments when they're in transit? That's where cargo insurance comes into the picture.
Cargo insurance is a type of insurance that covers your shipments in the event that they are lost, damaged, or stolen. It's an important part of doing business, and it can give you peace of mind knowing that your products are protected.
However, not all businesses need cargo insurance. If you're shipping low-value products or you have a good track record of never having any problems with your shipments, you may not need it. But cargo insurance is a good option to consider if you're shipping high-value products or you're worried about the possibility of lost or damaged shipments.
Cargo Insurance Cost
You'll need to purchase cargo insurance to protect your investment if you're shipping goods. But how much does cargo insurance cost?
The cost of cargo insurance depends on several factors, including the value of the goods shipped, the shipping route, and the insurance company you choose. In general, you can expect to pay 1-2% of the value of the goods being shipped for cargo insurance.
So, if you're shipping goods worth $100,000, you can expect to pay $1,000-$2,000 for cargo insurance. Of course, this is just a rough estimate - for a more accurate quote, you'll need to get in touch with an insurance company. It's highly recommended as most shippers and brokers will not do business with a motor carrier that does not have cargo insurance.
Trucking insurance is a type of insurance that covers the costs associated with trucking. This includes the cost of the truck, the driver, and the cargo. Trucking insurance can be purchased as a stand-alone policy or as part of a package policy. Cargo coverage is important for commercial truck insurance to learn about because it protects your truck and its contents in the event of an accident. If you are interested in learning more about cargo coverage or any other type of commercial truck insurance, give our client success team a call; (866)621-4145, our Indianapolis-based team is here to help. We would be happy to answer any of your questions.