Everything You Need to Know About Trucking Insurance in Texas

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As the owner of Insure HTX, I have had the pleasure of helping many businesses in the Greater Houston area with their insurance needs. One industry that requires specialized insurance coverage is trucking. If you own a trucking company in Texas, it is important to understand the unique insurance requirements for your business. In this blog, I will cover everything you need to know about trucking insurance in Texas, including surrounding cities such as Humble, Kingwood, Conroe, The Woodlands, and Spring.

First and foremost, it is important to understand that trucking insurance is not a one-size-fits-all policy. There are different types of coverage that are needed depending on the type of trucking business you have. For example, a company that transports hazardous materials will have different insurance needs than a company that transports regular goods. It is important to work with an experienced insurance broker, like Insure HTX, who can help you determine the right coverage for your specific business.

Some of the most common types of trucking insurance include:

1. Commercial Auto Liability Insurance: This type of insurance is required for all commercial vehicles in Texas. It covers damages and injuries caused by your truck to other people or their property.

2. Cargo Insurance: This insurance protects the goods being transported in case of damage or loss during transit.

3. Physical Damage Coverage: This insurance covers damages to your truck in case of an accident, theft, or vandalism.

4. Non-Trucking Liability Insurance: This is also known as bobtail insurance and covers your truck and driver when they are not under dispatch.

5. Occupational Accident Coverage: This coverage provides benefits for work-related injuries or death to truck drivers who are classified as independent contractors.

6. Workers' Compensation Insurance: If you have employees, this insurance is required by law in Texas and provides benefits for work-related injuries or illnesses.

Now that you know the types of coverage available, it is important to understand the state and federal requirements for trucking insurance in Texas. The minimum liability insurance limits for commercial vehicles in Texas are:

- $30,000 for bodily injury or death per person
- $60,000 for bodily injury or death per accident involving two or more people
- $25,000 for property damage

However, these are just the minimum requirements and may not be enough to fully protect your business. It is recommended to have higher coverage limits to ensure you are adequately protected in case of an accident. Most contracts are a minimum of $750K to $1Million in coverage.

Additionally, if you are operating a trucking business in Texas, you are required to have a USDOT number if you meet any of the following criteria:

- Your vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 10,001 pounds or more.
- You transport hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards.
- You operate vehicles designed to transport 8 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation.
- You operate vehicles designed to transport 15 or more passengers (including the driver) without compensation.

As an insurance broker in the Greater Houston area, I have seen the devastating consequences of not having adequate trucking insurance. It is important to understand the risks involved in the trucking industry and make sure you have the right coverage to protect your business, your drivers, and your cargo.

If you are a trucking company in the Greater Houston area, including surrounding cities such as Humble, Kingwood, Conroe, The Woodlands, and Spring, and are in need of trucking insurance, look no further than Insure HTX. Our team of experienced brokers will work with you to determine the right coverage for your business and make sure you are fully protected. Contact us today for a quote or to review your current insurance coverage. Your business and peace of mind are our top priorities.

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