Illinois Truck Insurance

IL License #: 3001067349

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Truck Insurance in Illinois

There are a lot of things you need to consider to keep your trucks on the road and turn a profit.  Besides hiring responsible drivers and performing regular maintenance checks on your vehicles to ensure they are in top shape, you also need to find the best insurance for you and your business. Finding the right insurance is not easy, especially as insurance rates continue to rise. However, it’s completely necessary. According to the FMCSA, in 2018, “5,096 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes,” which was a 48 percent increase from the low of 3,432 in 2009. So, it’s not a question of whether or not you should be insured. It’s a matter of how to find the best insurance for your budget. Fortunately, we’re here to help you find the best option for your needs.

Although truck insurance is required no matter where you drive, every state has its own special considerations. Let’s get into the specifics of Illinois truck insurance and why you should use an independent insurance agent when protecting your trucks.

Why do I need Illinois Trucking Insurance?

  • Truck Liability Coverage

    Considering how common truck accidents are, it’s easy to see why every state requires liability coverage. Liability coverage covers any injuries or damage sustained by the other driver or vehicle involved in an accident. In Illinois, truck drivers and businesses are required by law to hold a minimum level of liability insurance, determined by what you haul and where. For example, if your truck never leaves the state, you must get an intrastate only USDOT Number and be insured. Liability insurance is required by the law for a reason. And even if it wasn’t, it’s there for your own protection. The last thing you want is to be left alone to foot the bill for your legal defense if you’re sued following an accident.

  • Physical Damage Coverage

    Physical damage coverage is not required by law, but it’s no less essential than liability coverage. Accidents involving trucks can get expensive quickly. According to the FMCSA, “the average cost of all large truck crashes is about $91,000,” and a crash with injuries averages almost $200,000 per crash. And that’s only the beginning. Crashes involving fatalities may even cost you and your business millions of dollars. Luckily, physical damage coverage protects you from losses, especially when a truck is put out of commission.

  • Motor Truck Cargo

    Motor truck cargo insurance is needed by for-hire truckers to properly cover the commodities they are hauling and it is generally required by the party who owns the product being transported. This ensures that if their goods are damaged or stolen while in transit, their assets will be covered. In Illinois, you are required to have cargo insurance with a minimum level of $10,000 per catastrophe and $10,000 per vehicle. Depending on the cargo that is in transport by your big rig, you may need specific endorsements. For example, if you transport refrigerated goods, you will need to make sure you have “reefer breakdown” coverage. This might cover a $50,000 load of fish when the reefer unit breaks down on I-39. Of any line of 18-wheeler insurance, cargo insurance is the one you need to understand and pay the most attention to. You usually get what you pay for, and some carriers will make a long list of exclusions that specifically exclude coverage for certain events.

  • Truckers General Liability

    While truckers general liability insurance has coverage similar to liability insurance, it can be a bit more confusing. Here is the easiest way to understand it: Truckers general liability is designed to protect your business from the damage that might occur when you are not behind the wheel of your truck. Your auto liability coverage, however, would cover your business when you are driving. For example, if you have other aspects of your business—like a quarry or a consolidation warehouse—you will need a more robust general liability insurance policy that considers exposures outside the realm of trucking.

Why Should I use an Independent Insurance Agent?

Find Insurance Programs Specific to Your Needs

Similar to shopping for a quality coat, it’s best to find an insurance program that fits your specific needs rather than finding a generic solution that you will have to attempt to tailor later. An insurance program customized to your needs will save you both time and money as you will be able to spend more effort on driving profit instead of looking for better insurance. TIS specializes in the trucking niche and provides market access to numerous specialty truck insurance programs, including programs for the following:

Instant Certificates of Insurance with our Mobile App

Insurance is designed to help you when you least think you’ll need it. When the unexpected happens and you need to prove your policy in the middle of the night, the last thing you want is to be stuck alone and waiting for an insurance agent to return your call or get back into the office. For our part, TIS is available 24/7 to issue your certificate of insurance through our mobile app. Regardless of where you or your drivers may go, we’re there to support you for every mile of the journey.

Get Assistance with Illinois Trucking Permits & Filings

With so many laws and regulations, compliance can be tricky—but forgetting to be compliant can be expensive. We know how difficult it can be to keep up with ever-changing regulations and permits, so our TIS agents are there to ensure you keep all of your permits up to date. Our permit department is comfortable with everything related to Illinois truck insurance, and we are constantly watching the evolving system for updates that might trip you up. We ensure our clients have all of the necessary Illinois trucking permits and keep you informed of all changes made to laws and regulations.

As an independent brokerage, TIS also has access to nearly every carrier under the sun. No matter what kind of truck you’re driving, we can partner you with the perfect carrier for your business. Contact us today to learn more.

Illinois Truck Insurance Quote

Here is what Our Happy Customers have to say

My experience has been great! Codi and Erin have been extremely helpful and I love how fast they respond and take care of any of our requests. Thank you guys!
Marla Nuno
Shalyn has been AMAZING. Honestly, she has gone above and beyond answering all of my questions and assisting me in my permits process. She is extremely knowledgeable in her field. She has taken the time to make me feel comfortable and confident that my permits will be processed correctly and as soon as possible. I highly recommend The Insurance Store and be sure to ask for Shalyn.
John Maisonave
Best place to shop for your insurance and permits. TIS provides great customer service. If you need any insurance or permits TIS is the place to go. Shalyn is very helpful, she is in the permits department and I cannot express how amazing she is! She does everything in her power to assist you in anyway possible. Very professional and understanding. Will definitely shop here again!
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