Commercial owner-operator insurance is important in the trucking industry. You want to be sure you're carrying sufficient coverage, but how do you do that? You should have policies to cover these 5 potential issues.

Liability

Most states require a minimum level of liability coverage just to allow a truck on the road. This policy will cover one of the most common scenarios: an accident. If you're involved in a collision with another driver, your liability policy will pay for any damage to the other vehicle if you're at fault. Especially if you have an accident involving another truck, damages can get costly so liability coverage is a good idea for nearly all operators.

Your liability policy should also extend to any injuries suffered by third parties. Given the potential for a semi to cause catastrophic injuries, third-party injury coverage is critical for all drivers.

Cargo

Many trucking operations carry cargo, and insuring the contents of a load is always wise. You don't want to be on the hook if you're transporting millions of dollars in goods. If something happens on the highway, significant damage to the cargo can occur. Especially if you often park a loaded rig at truck stops or other locations, it could be a target for theft, too.

Commercial owner-operator insurance can cover lost or damaged goods up to a specified amount. You should talk with the companies contracting your shipments to ensure that you'll always carry enough insurance to cover their goods.

Medical

You may also suffer injuries or medical episodes due to an accident. Especially as an owner-operator, you can't afford to be off the job for long without insurance. A good medical policy will protect you against potential long-term disabilities or lengthy recovery periods. It also will protect you in case an at-fault motorist without any coverage hits your rig.

Property Damage

A truck goes many places, and the elements alone pose many risks to the vehicle as an asset. A comprehensive policy will cover potential losses or damages associated with theft, bad weather, vandalism, and natural disasters. If hail stones during a storm break your truck's windows, for example, the policy will cover replacing them.

Bobtail Coverage

Whenever you operate a commercial vehicle in a non-commercial capacity, the commercial policy isn't in effect. In a bobtail condition, a trucker is just another motorist who needs a separate policy. Ask about non-trucking liability coverage to protect your operation from incidents that might occur if you decide, for example, to stop for groceries on your way home.