Affordable Commercial Auto Liability Insurance for Truckers
Truck Liability Insurance Coverage
Commercial Auto Liability covers you if you cause damage or injury while driving your truck.
It’s the insurance they call your Primary Coverage, and it’s what you need to legally drive your truck on the road.
As an Owner Operator of a commercial vehicle, your legal responsibilities go beyond standard car insurance requirements.
What is Trucking Liability Insurance Based On?
- Whether you're a Motor Carrier with your own DOT Authority or an Owner Operator under lease.
- Minimum liability rules set by FMCSA & your state based on your type of truck and operations.
- The type and GVW of your commercial vehicle.
- The Motor Truck Cargo you'll be hauling.
- Your Radius of Operation, IntraState or Interstate
How Does Commercial Auto Liability Work?
When you buy your Commercial Auto Liability policy, it’s like placing a bet. You’re betting that a truck accident might happen, and the insurance company is betting it won’t.
Here’s the deal if something does go wrong:
- If the accident is your fault, your insurance covers the damages—up to your policy limit.
- If it’s unclear who’s at fault and you get sued, your insurance helps cover legal costs, again up to your limit.
It’s basically a safety net. You hope you’ll never need it, but if you do, you’ll be so glad it’s there.
Physical Damage Insurance & Motor Truck Cargo Insurance work the same way.
Commercial Auto Liability for Truckers –Think About It...
Imagine this accident: You’re driving in the right lane in heavy traffic when a speeding car suddenly cuts in front of you, then quickly weaves back out to pass a slower car in the left lane. The slow poke driver panics, swerves into your lane, and clips your front bumper, spinning back into their own lane—right into oncoming traffic. The highway patrol shows up and calls it everyone’s fault. Here’s the thing about liability: it basically means, "you’re liable to get sued." Simple as that.
FAQ
General Liability Insurance for Truckers isn’t something that the FMCSA or your state requires.
But here’s the thing—your customers might still ask you to provide proof of it. Why?
Because it covers things like delivery accidents during loading and unloading, or other claims that don’t involve driving directly.
In the accident example we mentioned earlier, any personal injury or property damage caused while driving would typically be covered under your Primary Commercial Auto Liability policy.
But what if the story doesn’t end there? Let’s say after the accident, you get out of your truck to help someone who’s injured but accidentally make things worse?
Or maybe you’re exhausted after the whole ordeal, decide to unwind, and fall asleep in your motel room, only to accidentally start a fire.
What if it’s not even you driving, but a hired driver with a less-than-perfect record?
In situations like these, General Liability insurance steps in to protect you from lawsuits for things that happen off the road.
With larger trucks, the answer is No because your Motor Carrier will provide the Primary Commercial Auto Liability and you will provide your own NonTrucking Liability policy. However, there is a grey area with smaller units and types of contracts which require you to carry your own Primary Commercial Auto Liability and list the Motor Carrier as Additional Insured.
We’ve been with CIS since March of 2012. They’ve saved us tons of stress over Commercial Auto Liability coverage and rates. Very competitive and they certainly take the extra steps to make sure we are well informed, covered, legal & safe. I stopped even shopping years ago. It doesn’t take long, talking to other brokers to tell that all other brokers have no interest in doing the extra work that CIS does. Thanks a ton Shelly, John, Christina, Kelly & Rachel! FIVE STARS!!!
