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Preamble
This content is independent of any content coming from insurance brokers, insurers, law firms, or other insurance lobbyists. Commercial insurance is rarely taught in schools, and when it is, it’s mostly done through the lens of brokers or insurers. There are many misconceptions around commercial insurance for trucks, like many other topics in commercial insurance, due to bad habits acquired through the over reliance on insurance brokers or insurers or information providers who are lobbied by them. It is also important to note that insurance has both an operational aspect and a legal aspect, on which we put weights of 95% and 5% respectively in terms of importance to protecting a business and its investors (the point is that going to court to enforce coverage defeats the purpose of buying insurance, so you want to make sure that whatever insurance you buy protects your business right, based on operational data, and pays out fast on large losses).
Commercial Insurance For Trucks And Drivers
Commercial insurance for trucks can be quite different from one truck to another and from one driver to another. The reason being that there are various uses, models, distances travelled, loss records, equipment and content values, amongst other factors, for trucks and their drivers. It is therefore important to have accurate data around the truck and driver to be insured aside from the insurance application that is presented to a broker.
Commercial Insurance For Trucks is made up of two main commercial insurance policies:
1. Commercial Auto Insurance, which covers a truck when it is moving (Auto Policy); and
2. Commercial Property & Casualty Insurance, which covers a truck when it is stationary (P&C Policy).
Without the above mentioned two policies, commercial insurance for trucks is technically incomplete. It is important to note this so that a business or driver are not under the impression that they have complete coverage under one policy. Moreover, truck owners and drivers can be subject to contractual obligations requiring them to carry commercial insurance for trucks in specified amounts, and ensuring the completeness of the insurance is important to minimize compliance risk.
Commercial Insurance for Trucks: Coverage
Every truck is considered to have 4 components for the purpose of insurance coverage:
- The vehicle itself: chassis + engine + wheels, etc.
- Fixed Equipment: Ventilation + fridges + fryers + compressors, etc. (anything that is bolted, attached, or not removed easily)
- Leasehold Improvements: Signage + wirings + fittings (including flooring, lighting, etc.)
- Contents (pots and pans and any other cooking instruments), Stock, and movable equipment such as portable blender, portable microwave, portable generator (any equipment not attached to the truck) + tables, etc.
Components 1, 2 & 3 are all covered on the auto policy (they are all covered as ‘part of the vehicle’). Component 4 would be covered on the P&C policy. Should components 2 or 3 be removed from the truck and no longer be used for an undetermined period of time, they should be switched to the P&C policy. If they are removed to be serviced or repaired, they should remain covered by the auto policy.
Commercial Insurance For Box Trucks
Aside from the size, year and model, distance travelled, and loss record of a box truck, it is important to accurately reflect the value of the contents within the truck that are either stored or transported so that they can be afforded coverage under the truck's commercial insurance.
Commercial Insurance For Food Trucks
Since Food Trucks act as stationary businesses when they serve food to customers, it is important to accurately analyze the business operations of the food truck, including the risk of business interruption. The type of food served, type of equipment used for serving, kitchen specs (including fryers), and maintenance of equipment are just some of the items that insurance companies will look at when analyzing the risk of a specific food truck. In addition, food trucks will have a higher level of liability as they face liability risk from customers, suppliers or franchisors, landlords, and other third parties. Commercial insurance for food trucks would therefore have to encompass the specific business details of the food truck to be insured.
Commercial Insurance For Trucks With Trailers
If there are trailers attached to trucks, it is important to include the trailer details (purpose, distance travelled, specs, etc.) when structuring commercial insurance for trucks. It is important to keep in mind that a trailer presents an additional layer of liability risk, which should be insured against adequately. Commercial insurance for tractor trailers should be structured accordingly.
Commercial Insurance For Hotshot Trucking
Since hot shot truck requirements vary, it is important that the commercial insurance is tailored accordingly to ensure adequate protection is provided. If some of the details are missed, it will be to the benefit of the insurance company.
Commercial Insurance For Truck Drivers
A truck driver's record is the single most important element that impacts his/her insurance coverage and the premium associated with such coverage. It is best that drivers request an official government record of their driving and infractions.
Commercial Insurance For Truckers
Please refer to the above section.