Why An Owner-Operator Needs Commercial Truck Insurance Coverage

Posted on: 4 April 2023

A career as a truck driver is very risky because large trucks are at risk of causing dangerous accidents due to their size. Semi-trailer trucks are the largest vehicles on the roads and can cause serious injuries, even by barely bumping into a smaller vehicle. Although it is commonly mandatory for all vehicles to be covered by insurance before being driven, insurance coverage is even more important for a truck driver. If an uninsured truck driver gets into an accident, there are multiple ways in which he or she may be sued that could cause financial distress. As the owner-operator of a semi-trailer truck, it is the trucker's responsibility to ensure that the truck is insured at all times.

Unforeseen Situations Can Lead to Accidents

Due to the nature of the trucking industry, truck drivers usually have to drive over a long distance on a regular basis. For example, a truck driver's career usually involves transporting cargo, gasoline, and other things to various locations. Due to the extended hours on the road, unforeseen situations could arise such as severe weather or accidentally falling asleep behind the wheel. Commercial insurance coverage is important because it covers accidents that a truck is responsible for causing. The coverage also covers damage to clients' cargo and other things that resulted from the trucker causing an accident.

Multiple People Can File a Lawsuit

When a truck driver gets into a collision, he or she is at risk of getting sued by multiple people. Having to pay money to multiple people could be financially draining, which is why commercial insurance is important. For example, the driver that a trucker collides with can file a lawsuit, as well as the client whose cargo was being transported. If the collision leads to someone's home or business establishment getting damaged, it adds to the number of people who can file a lawsuit. Insurance coverage can reduce the risk of a trucker getting sued, as the other parties can simply file an insurance claim.

Replacing a Semi-Trailer Truck Can Be Expensive

Due to a semi-trailer truck being the means of an owner-operator's income, a collision that totals the truck can be depressing. TNot only will the trucker not be able to work, but he or she must replace the wrecked vehicle. Commercial insurance coverage provides the peace of mind that financial help will be provided in the event that a semi-truck is damaged in a collision. However, individual insurance policies can vary, so it depends on the coverage that a trucker has paid for.

For more information, contact a truck insurance provider today.

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Little-known Insurance Tips

While I have had auto insurance ever since I bought my first car at 16 years old and home insurance ever since I bought my first home several years ago, I have to admit that over the years I knew very little about insurance. I tended to just look at the price of the coverage and sign the paperwork without really looking into the pros and cons of each policy. After my friend was in a car accident recently (thankfully, she is okay!) and she said she had to pay for some of the damage to the other vehicle out-of-pocket even though she had a minimum state coverage auto insurance policy, I decided to put a lot of careful research into insurance policies and what they really offer. I want to help others by sharing the information I have learned on a blog. I hope I can help you!