Commercial Trucking Insurance for Florida’s Trucking Carriers, Operators

February 1, 2019 | Sagi Shaked | Truck Accidents

In busy cities like Miami, Florida our daily lives move quickly. We don’t often think that an accident can occur in the blink of an eye, and that we may not be prepared for the outcome. That’s what insurance policies are in place for.

In our car insurance, motorcycle insurance, and health insurance write-ups we’ve given our readers everything they need to know on these personal insurance policies. Now, we’re set to delve into another form of insurance, this one more specialized and not often explored: commercial trucking insurance.

Whether we’re driving, as a new or longtime homeowner, a patient in need of urgent medical care, or with the intent to protect loved ones after passing, insurance is one of life’s more costly necessities. Insurance coverage protects our interests from death in old age to the more unexpected such as natural disasters, life-threatening injuries, or severe illness.

Florida’s truck drivers are protected

The same principle of necessity applies to those in the automotive and trucking profession. Whether contracted independently or employed by a federal carrier, those who deliver our Amazon packages, transport cargo to and from warehouses safely, and make it easier for us to buy the things we need without a second thought are all considered trucking operators.

Most people don’t know this, but there’s very specific insurance coverage that protects these hard-working citizens in the event they come to harm.

The insurance that protects them on a daily basis, day in and day out, no matter where they travel within the United States is known as Public Liability insurance. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provides a step-by-step process in which a company must complete in order to gain Authority to Operate. The process requires every Operating Authority (Motor Carrier) to carry a Public Liability insurance policy before they can dispatch trucks on the road.

A more specialized insurance policy

Public Liability insurance is a must-have for interstate truck drivers. Not only is it a must-have, it’s a legal requirement. A truck driver cannot be employed under the FMCSA without this type of coverage. The hefty price tag on this coverage protects both the driver and the public at large from any accident in which the trucker was found to be at-fault.

Within the coverage, there is a “Bodily Injury” clause which stipulates that hospital and medical bills will be paid for in the event of an accident in which the trucking operator was at-fault.

The price of this coverage is sky-high due to the nature of an operator’s job. The truck driver goes interstate often, and these insurance policies must cover them outside of their home state.

The policy will take into account the cost of medical bills and damages to the vehicle, among other things such as any property that may be damaged in an accident, when accounting for the cost. In regard to the latter, there is a specific “Property Damage” portion of the policy that takes other people’s property and any repairs deemed necessary into account.

Trucking insurance coverage, simplified

As with almost every insurance policy, Public Liability insurance has its minimum limits that vary by state, and are heavily regulated to avoid being misused. Unlike the average auto-insurance policy, Public Liability insurance minimum limits have soared in recent years, due to the nature of careless or reckless driving, trucks becoming involved in car and motorcycle collisions, and the tightening of the United States’ FMCSA regulations.

To give readers a better idea of what “sky-high” actually entails, let’s look at the numbers in relation to “freight” (this can be a long haul, or simply a very large truck carrying multiple tons of cargo depending on the carrier):

1. Non-hazardous freight under 10,001 pounds: $300,000 minimum
2. Non-hazardous freight over 10,001 pounds: $750,000 minimum
3. Oil: $1,000,000 minimum
4. Hazardous materials: $5,000,000

As you can see, trucking companies are paying steep prices to keep their drivers and the public safe. These minimums are in place for a reason; they also act as a deterrent of negligent road practices for truck drivers. When the insurance company pays out after an accident, these rates skyrocket!

Deny, delay, don’t pay

When a driver sustains bodily injuries on the road due to the reckless or careless behavior of a truck driver who acted in a manner that failed to uphold the duty of care set forth by law, or didn’t meet FMCSA or FMCSR regulations, insurance companies have no choice but to compensate the injured victim. However, it’s not that simple. Insurance companies will play their game of Deny, Delay, Don’t Pay before a victim who has been injured ever sees a dime of what’s owed to them. This is not only unfair, but causes further undue mental anguish to accident victims with unpaid medical bills and lost wages.

With an experienced lawyer representing their best interests, ultimately the victim will be paid, even if the case must first go to trial. During a truck accident trial, a judge will be presented with the facts of the case (FMCSR or FMCSA regulations were not met, Hours of Service were compromised, cargo was not properly secured, etc) and award the victim the appropriate dollar amount. This is what’s known in Personal Injury law as “damages”, and any victim injured by another’s negligence is entitled to obtain them.

Lesser-known trucking insurance policies, explained

There are several other forms of insurance that a trucking operator will need to be covered by before they can actually use their vehicle:

Cargo insurance: this is exactly what it sounds like. Cargo insurance will cover the goods, or “cargo”, being hauled in a truck or trailer. As we’ve discussed above, there are weight limits and minimums that must be met under this type of policy.

Physical damage: if you’re financing your vehicle–as a private contractor–you will need this form of insurance before you can utilize your vehicle for any commercial purpose. This policy protects your personal trailer, truck, or tractor from road accidents.

Bobtail: this form of insurance is only required if you do not have your own auto insurance. If you, however, work for a motor carrier or trucking company, you most likely will not need to obtain this level of insurance. Your employer will inform you of the ins and outs of this type of policy on a case-by-case basis, as it is not the same for every carrier.

Trucking insurance review

• Public Liability insurance is divided into two basic sections; “Bodily Injury” and “Property Damage”
• The cost of Public Liability insurance is considerably more than your average auto insurance policy due to the nature of a trucking operator’s employment
• Public Liability insurance protects both the driver and the public from any accident in which the truck driver was found to be at-fault
• There are certain minimums that must be met under Public Liability insurance policies. These limits range from $300,000-$1,000,000 or more.
• There are other insurance policies necessary outside of the standard Public Liability policy: Cargo insurance, Physical Damage insurance, and Bobtail insurance

Contact Our Truck Accident Law Firm in Miami, FL

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Miami, FL and need legal help, contact our Miami truck accident lawyers at Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.

Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers
20900 NE 30th Ave Suite 715
Aventura, FL 33180
(305) 937-0191