Dump Truck Insurance 101

If you’re an owner operator running a dump truck, having adequate dump truck insurance is crucial. Having certain types of coverage and certain limits may be required by law or by customers and brokers.

It’s important to understand what’s covered under a dump truck insurance policy, how much it costs and how to get the best price for your policy.

What is Personal Use Dump Truck Insurance?

If you operate a dump truck as an owner operator, you will need dump truck insurance. This type of insurance falls under the commercial vehicle insurance category. In order to operate legally, you must have liability and other types of coverage for your truck.

Dump trucks are heavy-duty vehicles that can cause some serious damage in an accident. Having enough liability coverage is absolutely critical, but you will also need other coverages.

Truckers typically have to file form E with their state, which certifies that you have enough liability coverage to comply with the law. Liability limits will vary from state to state. Texas only requires $500,000 in liability.

If you’re traveling across state lines, you will need to register with the FMCSA, get an MC number and have your insurance company file with the FMCSA. In this case, you will be required to have a minimum of $750,000 in liability coverage. However, you will likely need to have at least $1 million in coverage to get contracts.

What Does Dump Truck Insurance Cover?

A dump truck insurance policy will include all of the coverage required by law, and you will have the option of adding coverage to expand your protection.

If you’re running a dump truck business, you want to make sure that you’re fully protected. A gap in coverage could be costly.

Compare Dump Truck Insurance Quotes to Get the Best Price

Dump truck policies can include the following coverages:

General Liability

A standard and required coverage in a commercial motor vehicle insurance policy. Liability covers damages or injuries to other people or property if you’re at-fault for an accident.

Due to their size and the heavy-duty nature of dump trucks, accidents can cause some serious, costly damage. Liability insurance will cover the cost of damages as well as any injuries that an accident may have caused.

Liability can also help cover your legal expenses if another driver decides to sue. This coverage can also include:

• Property damage liability: Helps cover the cost of repairing or replacing the other party’s property or vehicle that is damaged in an accident.
  
• Bodily injury liability: Helps cover the cost of medical bills and pain and suffering of injured parties in an accident.

Collision and Comprehensive

If your truck hits another object or vehicle, collision will cover the cost of damages to your truck.

Comprehensive will help cover the cost of repairing or replacing your truck if it’s damaged by something other than an accident, such as fire, fallen trees, theft or vandalism.

Personal Injury Protection

Liability covers the cost of medical care for other drivers and passengers, but personal injury protection will cover the cost of injuries for passengers in your own truck. This coverage will kick in regardless of who is at fault for the incident.

Fire and Theft

If your vehicle is damaged or totaled due to fire or theft, this coverage will cover the cost of repairs or replacement.

Cargo Insurance

As a dump truck operator, it’s your job to haul cargo back and forth. But what if something happens to that cargo? It likely won’t be covered by your basic insurance.

Cargo coverage specifically covers the cargo that you haul with your truck. This coverage may be required if you’re hauling high-value cargo. But in general, you still want to ensure that your cargo is covered every time you handle a shipment.

Non-Trucking Insurance

Accidents can happen any time, including when you’re driving your dump truck during off-work hours. Non-trucking insurance covers the cost of damages if you’re involved in an accident while driving your truck for non-commercial purposes. This coverage is designed for owner operators with contract jobs.

Rental Reimbursement

If your truck is damaged in an accident, how will you continue running your business? Rental reimbursement will cover the cost of renting a truck to continue operations while your truck is being repaired.

If it’s not possible to continue operations, rental reimbursement will cover losses.

Downtime

Many dump truck operators also include downtime coverage in their insurance policies. This coverage will protect against lost income if you experience a covered loss.

Downtime insurance will allow you to continue paying your truck payment and other expenses if your vehicle is inoperable for an extended period. Policies will have both dollar limits and time limits for payouts. For example, your policy may pay out $100 per day for 35 days maximum.

How Much Does Dump Truck Insurance Cost?

The cost of dump truck insurance depends on the type of truck and a variety of other factors.

For owner operators, the cost can range anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000 or more for a single truck used for commercial purposes. Some policies can cost upwards of $14,000 for one truck.

Larger trucks generally cost more to insure because they can cause more damage. A single axle truck, for example, may cost $3,000 to insure, while a triple axle truck can cost $7,000 or more.

What Factors Affect the Price of Dump Truck Coverage?

Like any other type of commercial truck insurance, there are several factors that will affect premium costs, including:

• The truck’s value
• Your location
• Your delivery area
• Your driving record
• Your level of experience
• The materials you haul

Cost shouldn’t be your only concern when buying dump truck insurance. It’s far better to pay more for better coverage than to be stuck paying out of pocket for costs that could potentially bankrupt you if you get into an accident.

Still, you run a business and have a budget. The goal is to get the best possible coverage for the best possible price. Comparing quotes from dump truck insurance companies is a great way to do this. Shopping around will allow you to compare coverages, limits and other details in addition to the cost of the premiums.       

Other potential ways to save on your premiums include:

• Pay your policy in full. Some companies will give you a discount for paying the entire premium upfront.
• Consider a seasonal policy. If you don’t operate your truck during the winter, consider purchasing a seasonal policy to cover the months that you are working.
• Package your policy. Consider bundling all of your insurance coverages into a single policy with one company to get a reduced rate.
• Experienced driver discount. If you have a clean driving record and experience under your belt, you may be able to get an experienced driver discount. Be sure to ask for this because insurers won’t offer it.

Dump truck insurance protects your business and your finances by offering protection from liability and other costs if you get into an accident while operating your truck. Take your time when comparing policies to make sure that all of your bases are covered. Don’t skimp on coverage just to save money. It could wind up costing you big-time in the long-run.