Understanding What’s in Your Semi-Truck Insurance Policy

Semi-truck insurance is an important part of owning and operating a commercial vehicle. Liability insurance is the saving grace for trucking companies when drivers get into fender benders or catastrophic accidents. Like all states, Florida requires certain minimum coverage amounts in terms of liability insurance. Take a look at your policy to make sure it covers everything the law requires for semi-truck insurance in Orlando, before you discover you don’t have coverage when you need it most.

Commercial Vehicle Insurance Coverage

As the owner or operator of any vehicle you drive for business-related purposes, you will need to purchase commercial car insurance. Since businesses face more risks than the average individual in the operation of vehicles, insurance companies treat their policies differently. The first thing to check when you apply for semi-truck insurance in Orlando, Florida is that you are in fact seeking commercial, and not personal car, insurance.

Specific Coverage for Trailer and Cargo

Your semi-truck insurance policy should protect all of your assets. This includes the total value of your truck, trailer, and its cargo. Your policy should also cover all equipment you have inside the vehicle, such as electronic logging equipment or cooling supplies. You need ample liability insurance to completely cover all of your assets. Otherwise, you could end up paying for damages out of your own pocket after your driver gets into an accident.

Overweight Over-Dimension Permits

If your semi-truck carries an oversized load that exceeds the federal maximums, you will need a special permit to legally take to the road. You can self-issue a permit via the online system for loads up to 200,000 pounds, 16 feet wide, 18 feet high, and 150 long. Driving an oversized load without a permit can result in penalties and interfere with insurance coverage.

State-Required Minimum Amounts

Purchasing semi-truck insurance in Florida always comes with minimum requirements. The minimums for commercial truck insurance are at least $10,000 for personal injury protection and $10,000 for property liability. You will often need to purchase much greater policy limits to adequately cover all the assets you have at stake. You can customize your business insurance to cover everything you need for your specific fleet, whether that includes special considerations for overweight vehicles or transporting hazardous materials.