Workers Compensation

If you employ workers, then it is mandated by the Government that you maintain a workers compensation policy in force for your employees. This insurance protects you against your liability to your workers for injuries sustained while on the job. This insurance policy actually protects the employee and his/her ability to create future earnings to support themselves and their family.

Motor Truck Cargo

Motor Truck Cargo insurance protects the trucker/trucking company if freight is damaged or lost. The policy is purchased with a maximum load limit per vehicle. If you under-insure the load it can prove disastrous to you in the event of a claim. This coverage requires careful evaluation before you buy. In addition, you need to be constantly evaluating the nature of your freight to make sure the coverage meets the demands.

The Motor Truck Cargo policy is tailored to meet your operations and risks. We will ask you the right questions to make sure there are no gaps in your coverage. Remember, exclusions in coverage, or guaranty’s of compliance by you, can cause you to have limited or no coverage. The Motor Truck Cargo policy can contain provisions to insure the cargo when it is in your terminal or warehouse. This risk occurs when freight can not be delivered the same day or is consolidated with other shipments. The coverage exists if there is no separate charge made for storage or warehousing.

Warehouseman's Legal Liability

General Liability

For standard transportation business operations the basic truckers liability policy is usually enough coverage. If your operations include items like fuel tanks on your property or other operations that can cause environmental damage then it should include a form of pollution coverage.

For freight forwarders or custom house operations a form of professional liability coverage may be appropriate. Significant policy conditions are contained within this policy that must be reviewed to make sure there are no gaps in protecting your operations. Policy limits start at $300,000.00 however the customary policy limits set each occurrence at $1,000,000.00 and a policy aggregate of $2,000,000.00. Higher limits are available as necessary for your particular needs.

As the name implies this coverage pertains to very broad coverage other than automobile. Protection for injuries or property damage sustained while on your premises, using your products or services, or because of a breach of contract are some of the more customary types of risk this coverage is intended for. This policy can also include many options specific for your type of business (i.e.: pollution; environmental; underground; professional).

For standard transportation business operations the basic policy is usually sufficient coverage. If your operations include fuel tanks on your premises then it is wise to include a limited form of pollution coverage. For freight forwarders or custom house operations a form of professional liability coverage may be appropriate.

Significant policy conditions are contained within this policy that must be reviewed with your insurance broker to make sure there are no gaps in protecting your operations.

Policy limits run the gambit from $300,000 on up; however, the usual policy limit sets each occurrence at $1mm and a policy aggregate of $2mm. Higher limits are available as necessary for your particular need.

Truck Liability

Coverage is generally rated and supplied to you, on a scheduled vehicle basis. This means that if the vehicle is not on the schedule then there is no coverage. If you only have a few vehicles this is not a problem. If there is a large fleet and/or many vehicle changes during the policy year you have to make sure all vehicles are appropriately covered. Consistent communication with us is a must to make sure you do not find yourself without coverage on a particular vehicle

Large fleets and company’s requiring broader forms of coverage can be issued on an auto basis where no vehicle schedule changes are needed. This type policy insures you for your use of owned, non-owned, hired vehicles, subcontracted vehicles, even for the use of private passenger type vehicles.

These policies can be written on a gross revenue or mileage premium rating method. Selecting the right option for you simplifies your insurance coverage requirements and can reduce the overall cost. A proper evaluation with H. K. Smith & Associates will provide the best alternative for you.

There are many policy endorsements available to extend coverage to the auto liability. Pollution liability, from the use of vehicles is a form that should always be considered. Different deductibles are available to allow you to absorb some of your losses and reduce your overall cost. Interstate truckers will need the MCS90, the BMC91x, and the appropriate State form endorsements which extend coverage to the regulatory agencies.

Policy limits, for operations with trucks over 10,000 gross vehicle weight have a required limit of $750,000. This limit is set by the FHWA on interstate travel and, generally, matched by the various States.