Whether you drive long distances that span several states or stick to load pickups and deliveries within a couple hundred miles of home, working in the trucking industry comes with extensive risks. Not only do you spend much more time on the road than the average person, but you are also responsible for transporting important freight – shipments that are entrusted to your care. At Long & Company, we help Wisconsin truckers protect themselves, their trucks, and their loads against the hazards of the industry and the risk of loss. With coverage for long-haul, short-haul, and non-trucking incidents, we can help you find the coverage you need at competitive rates.
Do You Need Short-Haul or Long-Haul Insurance?
Working with an independent agent at Long & Company means you get access to one-on-one service and customized coverage recommendations based on your unique needs. That includes helping you determine whether you need short-haul or long-haul insurance.
Short-Haul Drivers
Generally, short-haul drivers are those who operate within approximately 150 miles of home. They are the truckers who are usually home every night or at least several nights per week to sleep in their own beds. Since they navigate the same roads repeatedly, short-haul drivers are familiar with the terrain, traffic, weather patterns, and other aspects that may affect the quality of the drive and its risks. Not to mention, the travel expenses, fuel charges, and truck maintenance costs are typically much lower than they are for drivers who take on cross-country deliveries.
Long-Haul Drivers
Long-haul drivers are those who travel much further for pickups and deliveries. When they leave home, they may not return for several days at a time, sometimes spending more nights sleeping in their trucks and showering at rest stops than they do in their own homes. The long-haul driver is constantly visiting new destinations and driving new highways. They must take on unexpected detours, hazardous weather conditions, and sometimes even dangerous terrain – all of which increase the risk of accidents and loss.
Coverage for Truckers
A lot goes into determining what types of coverage you may need for your trucking business. Are you a motor-carrier, owner-operator, or a private carrier? Do you primarily stick to short-hauls, or do most of your destinations involve long distances? At Long & Company, we can help you sort through your coverage options and put together a collection of insurance solutions that fit your business structure. These may include:
Trucking Liability
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were 363,000 accidents in 2017 involving large trucks and property damage. That same year, there were 107,000 injury crashes involving large trucks. Despite being professional drivers, accidents still happen; and when they do, those involving large trucks are often likely to involve extensive property damages, injuries, and even fatalities. Having the right liability insurance is essential for protecting you and your business against third-party damages and loss for which you may be responsible after an at-fault collision.
Non-Trucking, Deadhead, or Bobtail Liability Coverage
Whether you are driving your truck for personal use or running between pick-up and drop-off sites without a trailer, you need insurance that covers you for liability damages and other loss that may not otherwise be covered by your motor carrier’s insurance.
Physical Damages
You invested a lot of money into the purchase of your truck. It represents your career and your livelihood – something that could be at risk in the event of a total loss. Physical damages coverage can help compensate you for damages to your truck due to collision and non-collision events, such as hail, fallen objects, fire, and wind.
Medical Payments
If you get hurt while operating your rig, you must seek out necessary medical attention right away. Medical payments coverage can help pay the cost of medical bills when you are injured in an accident involving your truck, regardless of who is to blame.
Uninsured Motorist
If you are injured due to an accident caused by another driver, you can pursue compensation from that driver for your losses. If that driver is uninsured or flees the scene, however, it may be more difficult to obtain reimbursement of damages. Uninsured motorist insurance can help pay for your losses when an uninsured or hit-and-run driver injures you.
Downtime Reimbursement
As the means by which you make income, you depend on your truck to make a living. When an accident forces you to decline pick-ups and deliveries while your truck is repaired, downtime reimbursement coverage can help compensate you for financial losses until you can resume normal operations.
Towing and Assistance
Accidents and breakdowns happen, and they sometimes require roadside assistance or even towing. This can be costly for a large truck, so talk with your agent about how you can include coverage that helps pay for these unexpected expenses.
Additional Trucking Insurance Coverages
Depending on your business model and risk exposures, you may benefit from additional coverages, such as:
- Hired Auto Coverage
- General Liability Insurance
- Equipment, Tarp, and Chain Coverage
- Trailer Interchange Coverage
- Motor Truck Cargo Insurance
- And More
Wisconsin Trucking Insurance Quotes
If you are a trucker in Wisconsin, Long & Company can help you get the insurance protection you need at competitive prices that protect your profitability. We can help you understand which factors affect the price of your coverage, from experience and driving history to your record of prior claims. We can also shop around to compare rates and find a policy that helps you save on the coverage you need.
For more information about Wisconsin trucking insurance or to request your quotes, contact our office today.
