Kentucky Truck Insurance

KY License #: 1109126

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Louisville • Lexington • Bowling Green • Owensboro • Covington

Truck Insurance in Kentucky

What are the best methods of protection to keep your drivers, trucks, and cargo safe? First, you make sure your drivers are well trained. Then, you keep your trucks well maintained and in tip-top shape, and you inspect your cargo and make sure it’s properly secure before heading out on the road. And, on top of all that, you buy insurance to cover everything you can’t guard against.

Insurance rates may be rising, but so are accidents. FMCSA reports that the “number of large trucks and buses in fatal crashes [in 2018] . . . increased by 48 percent from its low of 3,432 in 2009.” So it’s extremely important you find insurance that gives you the best bang for your buck.

No matter where your trucking itinerary takes, insurance is necessary, though specifics may vary from state to state. Let’s review why you need Kentucky truck insurance and why you should use an independent insurance agent when covering your assets.

Why do I need Kentucky Trucking Insurance?

  • Truck Liability Coverage

    In any state, you need liability coverage for your trucks. That means that if your trucks are in an accident, the other driver’s injuries or damages are covered. Kentucky law sets a minimum level of insurance that depends on what you haul and to where. For example, if your truck doesn’t cross state lines and is over 18,000 GVW, you are required to acquire an intrastate-only USDOT number and be insured.

  • Physical Damage Coverage

    It may not be required by law, but physical damage coverage is no less essential. According to the FMCSA, “the average cost of all large truck crashes is about $91,000 per crash,” or nearly $200,000 when there are any injuries involved. No matter the amount of damage, physical damage coverage covers you against losses, especially if your truck is rendered unusable for an extended amount of time.

  • Motor Truck Cargo

    For-hire truckers need motor truck cargo insurance to properly cover the commodities they are hauling. Typically, it is required by the party who owns the product being transported. This ensures that if their goods are damaged or stolen while in transit, their losses will be covered. Depending on the cargo you are transporting, you may need specific endorsements. For example, if you are transporting a truckload of frozen product, you will need to make sure you have “reefer breakdown” coverage. This might cover a $50,000 load of frozen waffles when the reefer unit breaks down on I-75, rendering your product profit toast. Of any line of 18-wheeler insurance, cargo insurance is the one you need to understand and pay attention to the most. You usually get what you pay for, and some carriers will make a long list of exclusions that specifically exclude coverage for certain events. The two most popular cargo insurance forms are called broad-form cargo insurance and named-peril cargo insurance. Broad form covers everything except a list of exclusions, and named-peril coverage will only cover the list of scenarios (perils) listed on the policy. If you are hauling goods on a for-hire basis, no matter what type of commercial vehicle you are driving, you need motor truck cargo insurance to make sure you and your client’s goods are covered. The limit you need is determined by the value of the goods in transport; most dry van and reefer truckers have around $100,000 limits, but carriers hauling machinery and electronics can wisely up limits to more than $1 million.

  • Truckers General Liability

    While liability coverage protects your drivers when they’re behind the wheel, some accidents occur when no one is driving, and the truck is standing still. For example, something may happen to your warehouse or fulfillment center. If you have other aspects of your business that aren’t on wheels, you need truckers’ general liability insurance to make sure you’re covered everywhere—off the road and on.

Why Should I use an Independent Insurance Agent?

Find Insurance Programs Specific to Your Needs

Insurance is like a pair of pants: You can buy one that is one-size-fits-all and hope for the best, or you can go to a tailor, who not only can customize a pair of pants to your precise size and measurements but also has access to a variety of colors and fabrics. And there’s no doubt in the end which approach leaves your bottom end looking the best!

At TIS, we specialize in the trucking niche and know how to connect you with the right specialty truck insurance program for whatever you drive, such as the following:

Instant Certificates of Insurance with our Mobile App

No one ever knows when they’ll need to prove their policy. If they did, they probably wouldn’t need a policy in the first place. We know that accidents are not limited to normal business hours: You need 24-hour access, seven days a week. Using the TIS mobile app, we can issue your insurance certificate no matter where you are. Wherever the road may take you, TIS rides along with you.

Get Assistance with your Kentucky Truck Permits & Filings

As a business, there is no shortage of laws and regulations to keep track of, and any lapse in compliance can set you back—both in fines and in sidelined business operations. That’s why you need an agent who’ll watch over both your permits and your coverage. At TIS, our permit department is well versed in all of the permits and regulations in Kentucky, and we are constantly watching the ever-changing system for updates that might trip you up. We ensure our clients have all of the necessary Kentucky trucking permits and keep you informed of all changes made to laws and regulations.

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

Kentucky Truck Insurance Quote

Here is what Our Happy Customers have to say

Anni was Amazing! Very helpful. The insurance store as a whole is a great insurance company for Newer Trucking companies.
Kendrick White
Bobby Sabeh is a true professional, problem solver and trusted advisor. I have been with an Insurance carrier in the commercial insurance business for 28 years and earning your way to be a trusted advisor is extremely difficult. Bobby understands the two critical keys to success: (1) respond timely even if you don’t have the answer (2) solve your clients problems even if they didn’t know there was a problem. The biggest mistake agents make is writing a new account and then forgetting about how you earned it. Bobby will keep in touch with his clients and find solutions to help lower your total cost of risk. Call Bobby!
John Wilson
I've really enjoyed Bailey and Lorraine, they sent the documents I need on time. Every time I have a question, they respond and explain to me. They are very reliable. I really appreciate their help.
Rocio Villegas