Winnipeg Insurance Brokers Ltd. Unit 106-2565 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3J 0P4
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Whether you’re new to the trucking business or have been in it for a while, ensuring you are equipped with the right protection is one of the best things you can do. But exactly what coverage you need and whether you, as a trucker, need general liability coverage can be hard to navigate. Don’t worry; we’re here to help!
As a truck driver, you need general liability insurance to help ensure you comply with the Motor Carrier Division. Plus, it’s a way to protect yourself against unforeseen accidents where you’re found to be at fault.
Additionally, if you’re not already covered with commercial auto insurance, you’ll most likely want to at least consider it. There’s a good chance your current auto policy doesn’t offer enough protection for your needs.
In this blog post, we outline all the benefits, drawbacks, and differences between general liability and commercial insurance for truckers. Plus, we’ll help you determine which options are right for you!
Already have questions you want answers to now? Let us help! Contact us today, and we’ll walk you through your policy options.
Bonus: all conversations are commitment-free, meaning you can get the answers you need without spending a penny.
General liability insurance protects your trucking business in the wake of unforeseen at-fault events. It covers things like:
Of course, we hope events like these will never happen to you. But the truth is that they’re relatively common. By securing your general liability insurance, you’ll be saving your future self a lot of stress and a lot of money— especially when compared to the costs of lawsuits and payouts!
Commercial drivers like for-hire truckers and motor carriers should always have general liability insurance. Why? Because the nature of your work means that you have a bigger liability risk.
You transport expensive cargo, you operate heavy machinery, and you’re at the mercy of other drivers who you have to hope are driving safely alongside you. These considerations also make it extremely important for you to make sure you have enough liability insurance!
Your higher risk and higher coverage requirements mean you’ll likely pay a higher premium— but keep in mind that a monthly premium is negligible next to what can be the extremely high costs of legal action.
As a trucker, it’s important to know that without general liability insurance you expose yourself to major occupational and financial risks:
General liability insurance protects your Manitoba trucking business against relatively common at-fault errors. Once you’re insured, it will either cover certain costs you incur or it will pay out to the involved third-party, up to a predetermined maximum. It’s excellent and important coverage to have— but it doesn’t offer much in the way of accident coverage.
If one of your drivers is involved in an accident or one of your vehicles is totaled, commercial auto insurance provides the coverage you need, whether your company is at fault or not.
Commercial auto insurance offers extra coverage for things like legal bills, medical expenses, and property damage in case one of your vehicles is involved in an accident. It’s great insurance to have in addition to your general liability trucking insurance.
We recommend commercial auto insurance for all independent owner-operators and truck drivers, commercial transportation businesses, and any business with trucks, drivers, or transportation-related activity.
Depending on your business needs, you can work with your broker to customize a commercial auto insurance policy that covers things like:
If you’re looking to secure commercial trucking insurance, you have the option to purchase Third-Party Liability and/or Truckmen’s General Liability Insurance. You can choose a limit of $1 Million, $2 Million, $5 Million, or higher.
You can also choose to extend your coverage by adding on All Perils, Motor Truck Cargo, Auto Loss Of Use, Non-Owned Trailer, and Reefer Endorsement coverage.
Maybe! It all depends on the type of vehicle you drive commercially.
If your vehicle weighs between 4500 and 16330 kgs, your plates will provide you with a basic All-Perils deductible of $1200. (You also have the option of purchasing reduced deductibles!)
If your vehicle weighs 16330 kgs or more, you don’t have any built-in perils coverage, so you’ll want to purchase it separately. (Without an All Perils extension policy, you’re at risk of not being covered for any type of collision or comprehensive claims!)
Quotes for general liability and commercial trucking insurance are individualized, based on your:
Motor Truck Cargo premiums are based on the types of commodities you haul, as well as your experience and radius of operation.
Note: The radius of your operation can be within Manitoba, Outside Manitoba (IRP), Canada-wide, or USA/Canada.
As a trucker, you operate expensive machinery, haul valuable cargo, and you’re on the road next to drivers who you hope will be safe— but whose actions are ultimately out of your control.
Having the proper coverage in your back pocket will not only help you out in case you’re ever caught in a sticky situation, but it will also help you drive with ease. Knowing you are covered in case the unthinkable happens.
If you’re a Manitoba-based trucker looking for interest in leveling up your insurance game, get a quote today!
Our insurance consultants will look at your unique situation and help you choose the best plan for you!
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We are committed to the communities where we live and work, and we demonstrate our commitment by taking part in sponsorship and volunteer programs.
We love it here, too.
We are committed to the communities where we live and work, and we demonstrate our commitment by taking part in sponsorship and volunteer programs.
Winnipeg Insurance Brokers Ltd. Unit 106-2565 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3J 0P4
Winnipeg Insurance Brokers Ltd. serves our clients and operates on Treaty One land; homeland of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Ojibway, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and the homeland of the Red River Metis. Our drinking water comes from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, in Treaty Three territory. We respect the treaties, the land, and the water that sustain us.