How New Drivers Get Commercial Truck Insurance

Various factors determine the cost of commercial truck insurance for new drivers. The first and most obvious among them is whether the driver owns or leases their truck.

As we covered earlier, lessees may have liability coverage provided by their motor carrier. That means there's one less type of insurance they'll have to pay for out of pocket.

The motor truck cargo you're carrying will also play a role in your insurance costs. In general, the heavier the cargo you haul, the more your insurance will cost. That's because heavier cargo carries the risk of more destructive accidents.

The same goes for anything that's potentially flammable or that might react poorly to a collision.

You'll also pay more for truck insurance as a new driver if you start your career on long-haul routes. Insurers use your operating radius as a factor in their truck insurance quotes.

The logic behind this is simple. Short, close-to-home routes mean you'll be on familiar roads and have shorter total drive times. All of that adds up to less risk of an accident. On long-haul routes, the opposite is true, and you'll pay more for insurance because of it.

Your location and route destinations also matter. Just like with car insurance, some states have lower truck insurance rates. Plus, crossing state lines on your routes means registering with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Due to the regulatory requirements imposed by the FMCSA, insurers charge more for coverage on interstate routes.

That's why a new driver shouldn't take on long-haul interstate routes for their first six to 12 months. That allows them time to establish a safe driving record and gain experience. Both of those things mean you'll get lower rates when the time comes to start traveling on an interstate route.

All commercial vehicle drivers must maintain proper insurance coverage. However, the type they require varies based on their specific job situation.

For example, company drivers need comprehensive coverage, but it's something that their employers must provide for them. Owner-operators, on the other hand, need to find and pay for their own insurance.

Even then, the type of coverage required varies. Some owner-operators who lease their trucks from a motor carrier will receive liability coverage with their lease. Generally, however, owner-operators who lease must procure primary liability and physical damage coverages themselves.

Although getting insurance coverage as a new truck driver is difficult, it's not impossible. You should expect to pay a bit more than more established drivers for it, though. Additionally, there are some ways you can increase your odds of finding high-quality, cost-effective coverage.

The first thing you can do is get insurance quotes from CoverWallet. If you know exactly what kind of insurance you need, our best-in-class insurance partners can provide it. Or, if you're not sure what coverage you need, you can contact one of our agents. They'll help you to find the exact insurance you need and the best coverage option for your situation.

Working with Coverwallet for your insurance needs is one of the smartest things a new truck driver can do. As trucking insurance specialists, we can help you avoid risky coverage gaps while helping you to avoid paying for insurance you don't need.

The takeaways here are simple. New truck drivers need insurance but might struggle to find it. Also, they may pay higher rates than established drivers for the same coverage. However, CoverWallet can help.

By providing exactly the coverage you require, we can minimize your costs without compromises. If that sounds good to you, contact a CoverWallet agent today by calling (646) 844-9933 or visiting us online. We'll answer all your questions and set you up with you with the coverage you need to get on the road right away.

Below are the most common documents you'll need before you can take out Commercial Truck Insurance:

1. Motor Carrier (MC) Number: If you cross state lines, you'll need a Motor Carrier (MC) number and the limits of coverage required for us to file your MCS 90 (varies by state). To find out how to get your MC and DOT Numbers, check out the Trucking Authority 101 Guide.

2. MCS-150 and BOC-3 Filings: MCS-150 and BOC-3 Filings are required especially if you have just started your operations. After December 12, 2015, MCS-150 forms can only be used to update a USDOT number; they cannot be used to register for an FMCSA account for the first time. New applicants are required to use the Unified Registration System (URS).

3. Commercial Drivers License: some states will require a Commercial Drivers License, which can also lead to lower insurance rates. This CDL & Weight Class Guide will point you in the right direction to get your Commercial Drivers License.

• Commercial Truck Insurance
• Commercial Truck Insurance Prices
• General Liability Insurance For Truckers
• Motor Truck Cargo Insurance
• Non Trucking Liability
• Truck Driver Insurance
• Commercial Truck Insurance For New Drivers
• Long Haul Trucking Insurance
• Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements

• Commercial Truck Insurance
• Box Truck Insurance
• Bobtail Insurance
• Hot Shot Truck Insurance
• Motor Truck Cargo Insurance
• Refrigerated Truck Insurance
• Semi Truck Insurance
• Car Hauler Insurance
• Dump Truck Insurance
• Flatbed Truck Insurance
• General Liability for Truckers
• Owner Operator Insurance
• Log Truck Insurance
• Non-Trucking Liability Insurance
• Trailer Interchange Insurance
• Commercial Trailer Insurance
• Truck Driver Insurance
• Long Haul Trucking Insurance