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Do I need trucking umbrella coverage?

I carry a liability limit on my commercial trucking policy of $200,000, do I still need to buy an umbrella policy? I am an independent trucker with just one rig. I thought that umbrella policies were more for big corporations.

avatar
Shannon Martin · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“An umbrella policy is a good idea for anyone to have, whether you drive a regular private passenger car for pleasure or a big semi-truck for work. The risk imposed by driving an 18-wheeler is much higher than a standard car, so getting an umbrella policy for extra protection would be a wise choice.
The difference between a private passenger car and a semi-truck is so extreme that any accident with a semi creates more catastrophic and expensive
bodily injury
and
property damage
damages. A semi-truck can weigh 80,000 lbs, while a standard car is only 3,000 lbs.
Professional truck drivers have the reputation as some of th the safest drivers on the road. However, accidents happen, and semi-trucks are involved in about 11% of car fatalities every year. Of this 11%, about 5,000 deaths were in private passenger cars and 700 were in semi-trucks.
Trucking corporations may have a few million dollars to pay out in the event of a lawsuit, but folks like you don’t. Therefore, an independent trucker should certainly have extra liability coverage.
Safe trucking!”
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