How Trucking Company Insurance Works
Commercial trucking insurance is different from personal auto coverage. It often involves several layers of protection, including:
- Primary liability coverage – pays for bodily injury and property damage caused by the truck driver.
- Cargo coverage – protects the freight being transported but does not compensate crash victims.
- Optional umbrella or excess policies – additional coverage that some carriers purchase voluntarily, but it is not legally required.
Smaller trucking operations and independent owner-operators often carry only the minimum required coverage. In multi-vehicle collisions or cases involving spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or wrongful death, the costs can easily exceed $750,000, leaving victims without sufficient compensation.
An experienced truck injury lawyer can review all available insurance policies, determine whether the trucking company has hidden excess coverage, and identify any other entities—like brokers or shippers—that may carry additional liability insurance.
When Your Own Insurance May Step In
If the trucking company’s policy cannot fully cover the damages, your uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may help bridge the gap. This type of protection is designed to apply in several situations, such as when the trucking company carries no insurance at all, when the company’s liability limits are too low to cover the total cost of your injuries, or when the individual truck driver’s personal policy is also inadequate. Because UM/UIM claims often involve high-value trucking cases, the process can be complex. Insurance companies may delay, dispute, or even deny valid claims to limit their financial exposure. Working with a skilled attorney who understands truck accident insurance claims can help you navigate these challenges, ensure your rights are protected, and identify all available sources of coverage.
Additional Legal Avenues Beyond the Trucking Company
Even if the trucking company itself is underinsured, it may not be the only party responsible for the crash. A thorough legal investigation can uncover additional sources of compensation, including:
- Shippers or freight brokers who knowingly hired an unsafe motor carrier
- Maintenance providers who failed to properly inspect or service the truck
- Manufacturers of defective truck parts or systems that contributed to the accident
- Government entities that failed to address dangerous road conditions
In some situations, even if the trucking company’s insurance coverage is exhausted, its corporate assets may still be pursued in a lawsuit. Identifying all responsible parties is key to ensuring victims have access to every possible source of recovery.
You can read more about how layered insurance policies and liability work in complex cases by visiting our page on truck accident insurance claims.
If you or a loved one was involved in a truck accident that resulted in serious injury or death, an attorney can evaluate your case and explain what legal options may be available to pursue compensation for medical costs and other related damages.
