What Is Long Haul Trucking Insurance?
Finding the right insurance for a trucker can be difficult. Sometimes you peruse through all the options and cannot understand if one type of policy is better than the next.
Long haul truckers may have looked at long haul trucking insurance before and questioned if there are any advantages to it and what exactly it is.
We’ve therefore written this article to clear up any confusion or questions you may have about long haul trucking insurance.
Read on to know more!
What Exactly Is Long Haul Trucking Insurance?
Long haul trucking insurance is, as the name suggests, insurance required for trucks that travel over very long distances. This could be in one state, interstate or even internationally.
With this type of insurance, you will still need to get primary liability and cargo insurance along with the standard physical damage cover etc.
What this means for the insurer is serious risk and this is likely the reason many trucking companies will find getting long haul trucking insurance very difficult.
Here are the reasons why insurers are reluctant to offer it:
- Longer distance = more time = more chance of an accident = more risk
- Truckers need coverage at risky times because they’re not a standard “9-5”. Insurance is required at times like midnight through to early morning and beyond
- The longer a truck is driven, the more likely it is to break down. Sometimes, this will be in the middle of nowhere and is a further risk to insurance
- Long trucking hours may be risky to the trucker due to fatigue and they are much more likely to crash, which means risk increases to the insurer
This type of insurance, however difficult to obtain, is legally required for any trailer or truck and consists of physical damage and liability. These two parts form to provide you full coverage.
Who Provides Long Haul Trucking Insurance?
Long haul trucking insurance or LHT for short can be obtained from a number of insurance companies. If you’ve moved from shorter journeys to long haul trucking, you may find your insurance provider will not cover you.
If this is the case, you have to shop around. You’ll want to make sure you compare quotes between different providers, so you can see who offers the best deal.
You should also check out other types of insurance such as cargo insurance and collision insurance. It’s important to ensure you get the right level of cover for your needs.
What Do I Need To Get LHT Insurance?
There are a number of requirements for this type of insurance to be granted. Typically, you can expect:
- A completed application
- Driver information
- Motor vehicle record
- Claims history for the last 3 years
- Financial information
- Possibly an International Fuel Tax Agreement
The Rates Are High – How Can I Reduce Them?
There are a number of things you can do to try to reduce the costs of your LHT rates. These include:
Higher Deductibles
If you ask for a higher deductible, your premiums may reduce. A deductible is the amount of money that you personally pay out for a claim, while the insurance company pays the rest.
The less money that the insurer may have to pay out, the less money they will ask for in your premiums.
Take Coverage Relevant To You
Of course, you have mandatory elements to your insurance which we’ve discussed, but there are other areas that you may only wish to take out if it is relevant to you.
For example, some LHT insurers will provide coverage for a mile-radius figure. If you’re only driving within a 200-mile radius, there would be no need to take out a 500-mile radius element in your policy.
Keep It Clean
A clean driving record and the fewest amount of claims as possible will work in your favor massively. Be sure to keep yourself as “clean” as possible when it comes to your records!
Shop Around
Always shop around for the best rates. Compare any insurance company quotes that offer LHT and definitely ones that specialize in LHT insurance.
Do Your Research
Read up on what others have found with their experience with the same insurance company. This way, you can avoid making costly mistakes.
You’ll also want to be sure that your insurer is providing you with the things you need during your journey.
For example, if there’s a chance you could be stranded, broken down in the middle of an Alaskan road at 3am – you’ll want to be sure they’ll send out help right away. Not in 24 hours!
Do I Need Long Haul Trucking Insurance?
Yes, you’re legally required to get LHT if you fall into the above category. However, it’s always good practice to ensure you have the correct levels of cover.
It isn’t cheap by any means, but it is required. Trucking insurance cannot be offered “cheaply” due to the risk it poses to the insurer.
How Much Does Long Haul Trucking Cost?
This really depends. Generally, the average is between $640 to $982 per month, but there are a number of factors that will play a role in the price. They include:
- United States Department Of Transport Authority
- The requirements in the contract
- What the truck is carrying (cargo)
- The type of truck (including size and age)
- The driving history of the trucker and company
- Where the truck will be and where it is stored
- The frequency of trips made
- The length of time the truck will be used for
The Bottom Line
Long haul trucking insurance is a required type of insurance for commercial truckers who travel long distances. The cost of this insurance will vary, and it’s always worth shopping around.
In the meantime, make sure you keep your record clean, so you can get the best possible rate! We hope this guide has been of use to you. Good luck obtaining your LHT insurance!