Can all Insurance Agents provide Commercial Trucking Insurance?
Imagine if a new 16-year-old driver, just learning how to maneuver their little hybrid, got behind the wheel of 10-ton dump truck? The scene would look more like a monster truck rally, with all the cars in proximity being run over by the oblivious driver. Getting a CDL license takes hours of studying and practicing ensuring that you and everyone around you will be safe on the road. And even if you have a CDL license, that doesn’t mean the driver of a tow truck will be comfortable in a semi or dump truck. Experience is what sets apart a good driver from a bad one. This additional knowledge is necessary to emphasize the responsibility and weight (no pun intended) that these trucks carry.
What sets Commercial Trucking Insurance Agents Apart
The same should be true of your insurance agent. Getting an insurance license requires studying and passing a test, but usually that knowledge is only foundational and focuses on the more common insurance coverages like home and basic auto. Business insurance is a niche that few agents are taught and further within that niche is commercial auto. Within that small sector of agents that understand commercial auto insurance are the select few that have dedicated themselves to this discipline and gotten an additional license as a TRS (Transportation Risk Specialist). But knowing what coverages a business owner needs is as different as driving an 18-wheeler is from driving a golf cart. Although it’s not a separate insurance license, Commercial and especially Commercial Auto Insurance coverage should be provided only by agents who know and have a thorough understanding of the coverage for these high-risk situations.
Does your agent know the difference between exempt and non-exempt commodities? Interstate or Intrastate? Do they know when your MCS-150 biennial update is required, what a BOC-3 filing, or MCS-90 endorsement is? Does your agent know when you’re exempt from paying Workers Comp? We know the answers to all of these questions and so much more.
The Benefits of Using a Trucking Insurance Agent
Many agents say they can provide coverage for commercial autos, which is technically true. They have access to one or two companies that provide standard coverage. The Commercial Insurance Agents have access to numerous companies that will provide specific coverage to your trailer, cargo you’re carrying, and increased liability limits for catastrophic scenarios. One of our companies has great coverage and rates specifically for dump trucks. It’s a small company that many other agents don’t have access to, and their rates can blow others out of the water.
How to Find a Commercial Trucking Insurance Agent
If you’re looking for commercial trucking insurance, search for agencies that cater directly to your line of business and understand the unique terminology of your business. Some agents are more comfortable with short-haul rather than long-haul and some agents have no clue about reefer trucks or hauling hazardous materials. Here are a few questions you can ask your current or potential agent to see if they have a good understanding of the coverages you need:
- How many companies do you write with that provide coverages for commercial trucking?
- Do you provide coverages for owner-operator power units?
- What increased limits should I have when driving my ___________?
- Do you know what filings are and where to find them online?
- Do you have a company that covers my cargo and specific type of truck? Hazmat, Aggregate? Reefer, Mover?
If the agent could answer these questions confidently, then you’ll probably be in good hands. If they can’t, keep searching. Or call us at 850-244-1574. We can answer all those questions and more.