Oklahoma Truck Insurance

OK License #: 3000969706

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Oklahoma City • Norman • Tulsa • Lawton

Why do I need Oklahoma Trucking Insurance?

As a crossroads state, Oklahoma is full of roads for your trucks to navigate: As of 2018, Oklahoma ranked 12th in terms of public road length, with 116,065 miles of asphalt crisscrossing the state. Unfortunately, the state’s roads rank 41st in overall performance and cost-effectiveness.

While you can’t control what your trucks are driving on, you can still influence how they drive and protect them while they’re on the road. You do so by hiring qualified drivers, keeping your vehicles in good working order, and covering both with the right level of insurance.

With rising insurance rates, finding the right insurance can be daunting. But it’s no less important now than before; according to the FMCSA, in 2018, the “number of large trucks and buses in fatal crashes . . . increased by 48 percent from its low of 3,432 in 2009.” According to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, 2019 alone saw 5,638 crashes involving large trucks in the state, over half of which occurred on interstate highways and city streets. So it’s not a matter of whether or not you should be insured, but how to find the best value for your money while keeping you and yours protected on the road.

While insurance is vital no matter where you drive, every state has its own special considerations. Let’s review why you need Oklahoma truck insurance and why you should use an independent insurance agent when protecting your trucks.

Oklahoma Commercial Truck Insurance

  • Truck Liability Coverage

    All states require that you purchase liability coverage for your trucks, though they vary in specifications. Even if they didn’t require it, it would be in your best interest to purchase it. When your truck is involved in an accident, liability insurance covers any injuries or damage sustained by the other driver or vehicle, so you don’t have to. In Oklahoma, 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 doesn’t cross state lines and is over 26,000 GVW, you must have an intrastate-only USDOT Number and be insured. Regardless of the law, liability insurance is 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

    Unlike liability coverage, physical damage coverage is not required by law. However, it’s no less essential. By their nature, accidents involving trucks get expensive quickly. According to the FMCSA, “the average cost of all large truck crashes is about $91,000 per crash.” That average goes up to nearly $200,000 when the crash results in injuries. But 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. 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. 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 ice cream when the reefer unit breaks down along I-40. 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.

  • Truckers General Liability

    This coverage can be a bit more confusing, but here is the simplest way to understand it: Truckers general liability is designed to protect your business from damage that might occur when you are not behind the wheel of your truck. Your auto liability coverage would cover your business when you are driving. If you have other aspects of your business—such as 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

It may surprise you to know that no matter what you’re driving, you can find an insurance program that caters to that specific type of vehicle and its needs. For example, TIS specializes in the trucking niche and provides market access to numerous specialty truck insurance programs. Our agency has markets for virtually every type of risk including:

Instant Certificates of Insurance with our Mobile App

If you knew exactly when or where you would need insurance, you likely wouldn’t need insurance at all. When the unexpected happens and you need to prove your policy, the last thing you want is to be 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 right there with you for every mile of your journey.

Get Assistance with Oklahoma Trucking Permits & Filings

With so many laws and regulations, ensuring you stay compliant can be tricky—but not staying compliant can be expensive. The right agent won’t only make sure you’re insured but will also help you keep all of your permits up to date. At TIS, our permits department is well versed in all of the permits and regulations in Oklahoma, 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 Oklahoma truck permits and keep you informed of all changes made to laws and regulations.

Commercial Transportation & Truck Insurance in 48 States

TIS offers truck insurance in states bordering Oklahoma including Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas. No matter what kind of truck you’re driving, we can partner you with the carrier right for your business. Contact our team today to learn more.

Oklahoma Truck Insurance Quote

Here is what Our Happy Customers have to say

Great service!!! They work hard on getting you the best quote!!! Just got my commercial policy and they saved me lots!!! I really recommend the insurance store.
Geovanni Jimenez
Gloria was my agent, and she was extremely helpful and patient in explaining everything to me in detail. She was also very quick to respond back to me whenever I had a question. Thank you for all your help it’s truly appreciated.
Cindy Franco
Lorraine helped me sort out exactly what kind of coverage I would need and found me excellent discount for my policy! Definitely would recommend working with her for your insurance needs!
Jonathan Kellogg