When you’re dealing with commercial auto and truck insurance policies, you may think that most vehicles simply fit into a broad umbrella classification. For instance, if you’re operating any kind of truck, then you need commercial truck insurance, and it’s that simple and straightforward. Except that’s not really the case. Here, we’ll go over some of the very specific types of commercial vehicle insurance policies which are out there.
All types of specialty vehicles and trucks have their own types of insurance policies. This makes sense, as different vehicles are used in different ways. They face different risks, perform different tasks or services, and operate in different industries. That’s why there’s really no such thing as a generic commercial truck insurance policy, but instead, dozens of different types of specialty coverage plans.
So what are some of the types of specialty truck insurance to be familiar with? Staring with big rig or 18 wheeler trucks, different applications such as general freight, long haul, and commercial movers have different policies, as do owner operators.
Big rig trucks can also be specialized themselves, for instance, if they’re refrigerated trucks, or are involved with hazmat transportation. Owners of trucking fleets with many different drivers and perhaps types of vehicles will also find a different coverage requirement than a single person with a single truck.
From there, the world of specialty commercial auto insurance really gets broad and diverse. For example, food delivery trucks, food trucks and ice cream trucks. Then you have limousines, and charter buses or vans, along with taxi cabs, and ridesharing vehicles, such as Uber. Another classification are the companies operating either emergency medical transportation, or non-emergency medical transportation.
Specialty trucks also include specific vehicle classifications such as dump trucks, tow trucks, logging trucks, automobile haulers, waste haulers, wreckers, and on down the line. Truly, it’s a diverse field and this hasn’t even covered everything.
Don’t forget about pickup trucks, vans and regular automobiles. With regular cars, if you’re a business and using that car for any kind of even mundane business function, you may not have realized it, but you need commercial auto coverage beyond your personal policy or else you won’t be protected.
The point is, you need a specific policy that matches that unique type of vehicle and whatever function you’re performing as you operate it. Be sure to consult with an experienced insurance professional who can guide you through this process, and help you obtain the right policy for any specific need or circumstance.
