Commercial Auto Liability Insurance

COMMERCIAL AUTO LIABILITY

Protection When an Accident Occurs

Commercial Auto Liability insurance is at the heart of every commercial truck insurance policy. Sometimes it is referred to as Trucking Liability. It is the part of your truck insurance policy that responds when your truck is involved in an accident with another party. Auto Liability can safeguard your business by covering the cost of damage to other people’s vehicles and property, medical expenses related to the accident, and your legal defense if your company is sued.

You’ll find Auto Liability insurance in nearly every trucking insurance policy because it is required for almost every semi-truck on the road. A trucking company must have a minimum of $750,000 in Auto Liability coverage to operate as an interstate carrier in the United States. And motor carriers who haul hazardous cargo are required to maintain $5,000,000 in Auto Liability.

MOTOR CARRIERS + OWNER-OPERATORS

WHY YOU NEED COMMERCIAL AUTO LIABILITY INSURANCE

In a nutshell, when a truck driver hits another vehicle on the road, the motor carrier may be responsible for paying for the damages that arise from the accident. Commercial Auto Liability coverage, also known as trucking Auto Liability, can protect motor carriers from the legal liability that comes along with the ownership and use of their commercial truck.

YOU NEED TRUCKING AUTO LIABILITY COVERAGE IF YOU:

Own or operate a commercial truck or company vehicle
Provide hauling or freight services
Transport or deliver goods

bodily injury + property damage

WHAT AUTO LIABILITY COVERS

A motor carrier’s Auto Liability coverage kicks in when you, your employees, or your contract drivers are responsible for causing an accident in your insured truck.

Your commercial auto liability policy has two major components that protect your business: Bodily Injury and Property Damage.

Bodily Injury coverage takes care of medical-related expenses arising from an injury or death, including medical and hospital bills, rehabilitation services, physical therapy, long-term nursing care, lost earnings, funeral expenses, and pain and suffering. Bodily Injury also pays your legal defense if your company is sued.

Property Damage coverage takes care of the repair or replacement of property that is damaged in the accident, including, buildings, signs, and personal property. It also covers your legal defense if you’re sued.

What auto liability doesn't cover

Trucking Auto Liability doesn’t pay for damage to your truck caused by an accident. It also doesn’t provide protection for your truck, trailer, or cargo from theft, fire, vandalism, or other disasters. A Trucking Auto Liability policy is designed, instead, to protect your business from liability for injury to others or damage to the property of others.

MOTOR CARRIER

AUTO LIABILITY COVERAGE ENDORSEMENTS

Endorsements are ways to modify your trucking insurance policy. Great West offers two popular endorsements to our trucking Auto Liability policy.

Reporting policy options for Auto Liability insurance and Physical Damage insurance.
Great West's Commercial Auto Extension endorsement, providing blanket coverage for certain types of trucking contracts and agreements.

Trucker driving semi truck - auto liability coverage

Commercial Auto Extension Endorsement

Great West’s auto liability policy might not cover exposures you assume under a loan, lease agreement, or contract. In fact, many contracts and agreements are not insured and may expose you to unwanted legal action. There are two types of common agreements that are normally excluded from your auto liability coverage:

A contract or agreement for the loan, lease, or rental of an auto; the terms require you to hold the lessor harmless for any liability loss.
A contract or agreement you sign when trip leasing to another truck driver; the terms require you to provide primary liability insurance.

Great West can provide blanket coverage for these two types of contracts by adding the Commercial Auto Extension endorsement to your auto liability insurance policy. This endorsement provides affordable insurance protection while you meet that next deadline.

general liability insurance

RECOMMENDED INSURANCE FOR OWNER-OPERATORS

If you are an owner-operator and have an office or multiple trucks on the road, you should also consider General Liability insurance, which covers additional liability claims that can arise in the operation of a trucking company, such as personal accidents on company property.

Semi driving on empty highway - general liability for owner-operators

why you should choose

GREAT WEST’S AUTO LIABILITY POLICY

After 65 years of serving motor carriers, Great West takes pride in being one of the nation’s leading providers of trucking insurance.

All we write is commercial trucking insurance! Few other insurance companies can make that claim. And that means our services are focused solely on you, the motor carrier, and your operation. We work to ensure that you don’t have gaps in your policy, regardless of whether you’re an owner-operator or a multi-truck fleet.
Exceptional, 24/7 claims services include a dedicated representative when you file a claim. Not all insurers can stand by that promise.
Our risk control services and safety resources are considered some of the best in the industry. Safety and loss control tools, motor carrier resources, and a video learning library, among other helpful tools, are all included when you choose Great West.
Great West can insure your entire trucking operation with our customized coverage options. In addition, we offer Truck Cargo coverage, Physical Damage coverage, Workers Compensation, and Excess Policies, among other coverage options.

There are many trucking insurance companies to choose from. If you want an insurer who provides comprehensive policies, understands trucking, and prides itself on exceptional 24/7 service, Great West is here to help.

Are there specific exclusions or scenarios not covered by Commercial Auto Liability insurance for trucks?

Yes, Liability insurance for trucks typically has specific exclusions. Common exclusions may include intentional damage caused by the insured, damage from non-collision related incidents (unless covered by comprehensive coverage), and liabilities under worker's compensation or similar laws.

Additionally, liabilities arising from the transport of certain hazardous materials or operating under certain unauthorized or illegal conditions might not be covered. It's important to review the policy with your agent for details for specific exclusions relevant to your operations.