Georgia today has over 32,000 trucking companies. Many of these companies are small and locally owned, offering jobs to about 265,900 people in the state.
If you own one of these companies in Georgia, you cannot afford to put your investment at risk. In the event of an accident, you should not have to worry about paying for property damage or medical expenditures. Your insurance coverage should kick in and cover what you require to return to work as soon as possible.
This piece will explain everything you need to know regarding comparing commercial truck insurance quotes and buy the coverage in Georgia at an affordable price
- Where to buy commercial truck insurance in Georgia?
- What does Georgia commercial truck insurance cover?
- Am I required to purchase commercial truck insurance in Georgia?
- What coverages are required for truckers in Georgia and outside the state?
- How much does commercial truck insurance cost in Georgia?
- How do I find cheap commercial truck insurance coverage in Georgia?
Where to buy commercial truck insurance in Georgia?
If you decide to buy commercial Truck insurance in Georgia, there are different options. The many options mean you can easily find the option that suits you, especially the cost.
The three main options that you can use include:
- Traditional insurance companies
- Specialized commercial truck insurance companies
- Using insurance brokers or agencies
Buy Georgia commercial truck insurance from a licensed insurance company
This option is the most popular in Georgia. Several companies in Georgia offer competitive rates for your commercial truck insurance. These companies include
- Travelers
- Nationwide
- State Farm
- All-State
- Geico
- Progressive insurance, etc.
These companies offer different coverages that suit most trucking businesses. You can obtain trucking insurance from these companies if you are an owner-operator with only one truck or a trucking corporation with a huge fleet.
| Pros | Cons |
| Most of these companies offer other policies alongside trucking insurance that might interest you. | Premiums can be costly. |
| You might get a discount from these companies if you meet some requirements. | Most insurance companies do not offer online quotes for commercial insurance. |
| Companies in this category have the experience to offer you superior coverage. | |
| You might get a pay-as-you-go policy. |
Buying Georgia commercial insurance from specialized commercial truck insurance companies
Companies in this category are dedicated to trucking companies alone. As such, they can offer the best commercial insurance to companies that use their services. If you are looking for customized commercial truck insurance, these companies are the best option.
Examples of companies in this category include:
- NITIC
- OOIDA
- Sentry
| Pros | Cons |
| Since they only deal with truck insurance, these companies have more truck knowledge and may offer you the best professional advice. | You have to meet their agents or see them in person to get quotes. |
| You might find cheaper quotes from these companies. | |
| They typically offer policies to all types of trucks, so companies that find it hard to get policies elsewhere might find policies with them. |
Buying Georgia commercial insurance from digital brokers
Digital brokers do not offer policies like traditional insurance companies. However, these companies help trucking companies compare quotes across companies. After finding the policy that suits you with these companies, you can buy directly from the website.
CoverWallet, commercialinsurance.net, SmartFinancial are some excellent examples of digital brokers. Here are the top commercial truck insurance brokers or agencies.
| Pros | Cons |
| Generating quotes takes less than 5 minutes in most cases. | Most digital brokers do not offer quotes online for commercial truck insurance. |
| You get to explore quotes from as many companies as possible. | Their offerings are limited to the insurance companies they partner with. |
| Most digital brokers have responsive customer support. |
Learn more at the best commercial truck insurance companies in Georgia
What is commercial truck insurance?
Commercial truck insurance works like any other car insurance coverage. This policy protects others by providing liability for bodily injury and property damage if a truck driver is at fault in an accident.
When an accident occurs, the motorist will report the claim to the insurance provider, paying the covered benefits to victims.
What does Georgia commercial truck insurance cover?
While Georgia trucking plans cover similar things as regular automobile and pickup truck insurance policies, there are some essential variations. In most cases, commercial truck insurance covers the following:
Trucking primary liability insurance coverage
This coverage is required by all state laws. Without it, it is illegal to operate a truck. It protects against physical harm or property damage caused by the trucker or the firm. It is probably the most expensive coverage in truck insurance. When people talk about commercial truck insurance, they probably refer to this coverage.
Cargo insurance coverage:
This might cover the truck’s cargo if it is destroyed during transport. It is an optional coverage. However, it has become more and more popular since many shippers and brokers require trucking companies to have this coverage to transport their cargo. Learn more at the best motor truck cargo insurance companies.
Non-collision coverage
This covers damages such as fires, theft, or natural disasters. This policy usually comes as an additional policy under comprehensive coverage.
Bobtail Insurance:
This policy protects truckers when they drive their trucks without cargo and without the trailers. It can be sometimes confused with non-trucking liability insurance. They are very similar but the nuances are different. Learn more at the best bobtail insurance companies.
Non-trucking liability insurance:
This insurance may protect a truck driver or trucking firm when their truck is used for purposes other than hauling or labor. After the trucker drops off the loads at the destination, he drives the truck to the garage or his home, if he gets into an accident while not having any cargo on his truck, this coverage will protect him. The primary trucking liability coverage protects him only when he carries the cargo on his truck. Learn more at the best non-trucking liability insurance companies.
Collision
Collision coverage covers costs incurred when a truck collides with another vehicle or other objects.
Am I required to purchase commercial truck insurance in Georgia?
Yes, the laws of Georgia make it compulsory that commercial truckers carry at least a primary liability insurance for their trucks.
Under the state’s laws, trucks that weigh above 10,000 lbs. must have minimum insurance for $100,000.00 per person and $300,000.00 per accident if they operate solely in Georgia. Trucks in this category must obtain an intrastate only USDOT number (GVW).
However, commercial trucks that can transport more than 12 people at once must have a $500,000 insurance limit or higher.
On the other hand, Georgia simply requires private autos and pickup trucks to have $25,000 in liability insurance per person and $50,000 in liability insurance per accident.
In summary, the following are the requirements that trucks in Georgia must meet:
- Interstate trucks transporting freight must have at least $750,000 in liability insurance.
- Trucks transporting oil products are required to have $1,000,000 in liability insurance.
- You must insure trucks transporting hazardous products for at least $5,000,000.
- Trucks transporting residential products must have at least $300,000 in insurance coverage.
- You must insure trucks carrying 12 or more people for at least $500,000
What coverages are required for truckers in Georgia and outside the state?
Trucks that travel out of Georgia have to meet federal requirements and the requirements in Georgia. The state’s laws only apply to trucks that work within the borders of the state.
Therefore, all interstate truckers must fulfill the trucking insurance standards under the federal laws of the US. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is in charge of trucking insurance in the United States.
According to FMCSA, interstate truckers must meet the following requirements.
- Interstate truckers of nonhazardous products must have at least $750,000.00 in liability insurance or a surety bond in this amount.
- Interstate trucks transporting oil products must have at least $1,000,000.00 in liability insurance.
- Trucks transporting other hazardous commodities (such as explosives or poisonous compounds) must carry at least $5,000,000.00 in liability insurance.
What paperwork needs to be submitted when I get commercial truck insurance in Georgia?
Before getting a trucker’s insurance, you must comply with all state and federal regulatory filings. These filings are essential as they prove that you have done all that you should do.
In Georgia, regulatory filing requirements may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- BMC-34: Proof of cargo liability insurance for home goods carriers
- MCS-90: Endorsement for Motor Carrier Policies of Insurance for Public Liability
- BMC-91X: Proof of bodily injury and property damage insurance
- SR22: Proof of fulfilling the minimum liability insurance coverage requirement, as well as a promise from your insurance carrier to alert the DMV if you fail to maintain continuous insurance coverage.
What kinds of trucks can be covered with commercial truck insurance in Georgia?
Commercial truck insurance covers different types of trucks, depending on the company you use.
However, the following are the most commonly covered truck types:
- Box trucks – Learn more at box truck insurance cost and the best box truck insurance companies
- Car carriers
- Flatbed trucks
- Dump truck – Learn more at dump truck insurance cost and the best dump truck insurance companies
- Moving trucks
- Straight trucks
- Log truck – Learn more at the best log truck insurance companies
- Tank trucks
- Tow trucks – Learn more at the tow truck insurance cost and the best tow truck insurance companies
- Tractor-trailers
- Semi-truck – Learn more at semi truck insurance cost and the best semi truck insurance companies
If you do not find the type of truck on the list, it does not mean your truck is not covered. It might, however, mean your truck requires a custom policy. Speak with your insurance carrier and see if they have policies for you.
How much does commercial truck insurance cost in Georgia?
In Georgia, the average cost of commercial truck insurance is $15,890. The majority of premiums vary from $12,406 to $17,705.
These cost estimates are based on drivers with single-truck businesses who require liability, cargo, and physical damage insurance. The fee is determined by various factors, including what you are transporting, your driving history, and how long you have been in business.
Be sure to shop around with a few companies or a broker to compare several quotes before making your final decision.
How do I find cheap commercial truck insurance coverage in Georgia?
There are methods to save money on your insurance policy, just like there are ways to save money on any other insurance policy. However, keep in mind that in the world of insurance, cheaper isn’t always better; it could not have the necessary coverage to get you on the road. If you’re looking for specific coverage, here are some strategies for lowering your premiums:
- Be mindful of the cargo you’re transporting and avoid carrying cargo with more risks.
- Drive cautiously – even a single speeding ticket can raise the cost of your premiums;
- Hire drivers with spotless driving histories;
- Implement safe driving lessons and seminars for your driver;
- Keep to your payments at all times
- Pay your premium in total each year. Some insurance companies offer as much as 10% discounts for customers that pay annually.
- Raise your deductibles. The higher your deductibles, the less you pay for premiums.
- Inquire about discounts. Speaking of discounts, you may earn a commercial driver’s license (CDL) discount if your drivers have had their CDL for more than two years.
What type of coverage is needed for pickup trucks in Georgia?
Pickup trucks are special trucks because you can use them for different purposes. Consequently, the type of insurance required for your pickup truck will depend on what you use the truck for.
If you use your pickup truck for personal use, personal auto insurance is good enough. However, if you use your pickup truck for business activities, you will need commercial auto insurance, provided the truck is less than 10,000 pounds. Trucks of larger sizes will need a commercial truck insurance policy.
