Semi Truck and Trailer Insurance

Insurance for tractor trailers

Insurance is essential for truckers. The right coverage can help you avoid financial loss and get back on the road. Semi tractor insurance can also protect cargo and help make up for lost wages if something unexpected occurs.

The truck insurance experts at Progressive Commercial can help you understand your options and build a custom semi trailer insurance policy with the coverage you need. You can also start a quote online.

Is semi tractor insurance required?

Yes. All tractor trailers traveling on public roads need commercial truck insurance that meets or exceeds state insurance requirements. Most truckers and trucking businesses can benefit from additional coverages as well.

Mandatory semi trailer insurance coverages

States require all semi trucks to carry liability insurance, which pays for damages you cause others. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also requires liability coverage minimums for certain types of trucks. Liability is divided into two components, each of which has minimum coverage requirements:

Property damage

As the name suggests, property damage coverage helps pay for harm to property if you're at fault in an accident. This part of your liability insurance covers more than damage to other vehicles. It protects you from financial loss whether you run into a storefront, a garage door, or a mailbox.

Bodily injury

Bodily injury covers expenses like medical bills, rehabilitation, and lost wages if you're at fault for an accident that injures someone else. It also covers legal fees and settlements if you're sued. For-hire truckers under their own authority must have this coverage.

Other semi truck coverages

Liability insurance is the minimum a truck operator needs to drive legally. However, most truckers benefit from additional coverages, such as protections for cargo or special coverages for the type of truck.

Physical damage insurance for semi trucks

While mandated liability coverage helps pay for damage to others, physical damage insurance for semi trucks is a group of three coverages that can protect you if your semi truck is damaged.

Collision pays for damages to your vehicle from crashes, even single-vehicle accidents, like if your truck rolls. It can be packaged with comprehensive insurance or fire and theft insurance with CAC. Comprehensive and fire and theft both cover damage from common non-collision sources, though the details of the coverage differ.

Physical damage coverage makes sure that you're able to take care of your tractor trailer if something happens, even if other drivers aren't involved.

Non-trucking liability insurance for tractor trailers

If you use your truck to get around when you're not on the job, non-trucking liability can be a good idea. This coverage helps cover costs if you cause damage to others when you drive your semi truck for non-business purposes.

Trailer interchange for semi trucks

A standard semi tractor insurance policy covers your own tractor trailer.However, some truckers haul trailers they don't own as part of an interchange agreement. Trailer interchange coverage provides physical damage protection (essentially collision and comprehensive coverage) for a trailer you don't own.

This coverage is often required by clients who own the trailers. For truckers who perform these kinds of jobs, adding trailer interchange to their semi trailer insurance policy can be a necessary investment to bring in more business.

Rental reimbursement with downtime

Your truck is your livelihood, and you don't want to miss an opportunity if your rig is in the shop. Rental reimbursement with downtime helps get you back on the road as soon as possible by paying for a rental if your truck is damaged in a covered event. If you can't find a substitute, this coverage can help offset lost income while you can't work.

Motor truck cargo for tractor trailers

The cargo inside a tractor trailer is valuable. Motor truck cargo covers what you're carrying, rather than your rig. This insurance can help pay costs if the shipment is damaged or lost in a covered event, so you don't have to pay for the damages out of pocket.