You may be searching for cheap insurance near you. Finding affordable rates, or general insurance near me, does not mean you have to sacrifice quality of coverage.
This philosophy reigns true whether you live in Anaheim CA, or anywhere in Orange County, California.
If you are in the auto business, your needs may vary, but paying the lowest premium down shouldn’t.
You should have both options at the right price.
Each industry has many different layers.
The trucking industry has many components that you as an operation business or an independent trucker will experience.
You are looking for commercial truck insurance to protect your investment.
Just as you have California car insurance for your personal needs.
You as a driver, are engaged in the business of transporting goods, regardless if your driving radius is in Orange County CA or Los Angeles CA.
Operations and Goods of Transport
This is a very important area to look at as a mover. It is what you are moving that determines your occupation or job classification to some degree.
This holds true whether you are looking at insurance coverage or employment.
The General Insurance companies are one entity that will use your cargo as a rating factor for your insurance policy.
So, without further ado, let’s look at some of the occupational types or classification of driver you will be, depending on the goods you transport.
These goods, commodities or raw materials for others can include:
As you can see, the keyword in the above statement is for hire.
Normally, private carriers that exclusively haul their own products would not be considered an independent trucking firm.
It should be pointed out, that more and more private carriers are applying for common or contract carrier operating authority.
This authority can be found under the label of Toto Authority.
This is named after the ICC decision concerning the purchase of the Toto and Supply Company back in 1978.
Private Carrier Insurance Companies?
However, up until 1982, this authority had not been often used.
Since the ICC had required that a private carrier’s entire parent corporation be subject to the same strict securities and regulations.
With the onset of deregulation of the industry back in 1980, this authority became more realistic and much more commonly used.
In fact the Insurance Services Offices or ISO has recently recognized the expansion of this category.
This was done by introducing a new auto form called the motor carrier coverage form.
Motor Carrier Form?
This form records the standard policy to handle the needs of private carriers that also act as a common or contract carriers on a part-time bases.
You will normally encounter this such hauling under one of the following below methods:
The Breakdown
The General Big Deal
The significance of private carriers should not be overlooked when reviewing this industry.
Out of the 1.7 million over the road freight trucks registered in the United States today.
Out of this number, only about 300,000 of these are operated by for hire carriers, the balance being operated privately.
These drivers serve the general public for any and all commodities, except for a few exceptions are considered common carriers.
These type of drivers, legally, cannot refuse service to anyone except for good cause.
They must charge rates that are fair and reasonable to everyone.
These drivers may however, specialize in a certain type of shipment such as refrigerated goods or build cargo.
Type of Routes of Coverage
Probably the most often used common carriers are those with irregular route, radial service or regular route, scheduled service authority.
An irregular route carrier will provide hauling services on an on call basis.
General Central Route
This is usually from a central office or terminal. From this point, shipments are hauled from one specified location to another.
The regular route common carriers only operated over specified highway routes on a regular basis.
This was using terminals that their strategically located to consolidate and distribute freight into surrounding areas.
General Contract Carriers
Contract carriers are companies that enter into a contractual agreement with business establishments.
These agreements go over shipping materials or products for that business.
By law, a contract carrier is not allowed to hold itself out to the general public and must negotiate only long-term contracts.
Usually between 30 to 60 days is negotiable.
This would include, for instance, a trucker who contracts to make all deliveries for a particular manufacturer or wholesale operation.
ICC Absolute
Although the ICC does not set an absolute limit.
The general rule that is usually applied is that contract carriers should maintain fewer than 10 customers at any one time.
From a legal stance, the essential difference between a common carrier and a contract carrier is that the latter is liable only for the obligations assumed under contract and for losses due to negligence.
They do not have the responsibility of a common carrier unless they have agreed to accept such liability by contract.
Specialized Haulers
Under these companies, a form of contract carrier is specialized in:
General, such hauling is done on a flatbed trailer or specialized container units over major highways.
You may have seen these refrigerated tanker trucks racing down the freeway, well that is the classification of truckers we are describing.
Other General Categories
Other than commodities hauling, many of thee type of companies also provide warehousing and crane and rigging services.
Additionally, specialize carriers will often transport by rail or barge, and can us the services of freight forwarders to arrange the necessary connections.
Many may also act as consultants for other companies that are transporting with their own equipment on a one time basis.
Exempt Carriers
This classification of companies are not subject to the ICC regulations because they haul on or more types of unregulated commodities.
This means that these truckers can begin or end operations without permission from the ICC.
They can also negotiate any rate or contract provisions the customer will accept.
The General Coverage Example
An example of a freight that are excluded from regulation included unprocessed agricultural products, livestock, fish, wood, and newspaper.
Some carriers that haul in either commercial or terminal zones are also considered an exempt carrier.
Commercial zones are defined as those territories within a specified radius of certain metropolitan areas that cross two or more state lines.
Terminal zones are areas within a specified radius of certain airports.
Common Operations
In general however, carriers that operate as common carriers are held under strict liability for loss to property while in their possession.
There are five exceptions to this provision Acts of God such as:
Exercise of a public authority whereby a public agency condemns or confiscates a load negligence of the shipper.
This is such as the improper packing of goods inherent vice or defect of property including any characteristic of a load that causes it to damage or destroy itself.
Five General Exceptions
These five exceptions are not however absolute.
Carriers may still be legally liable if they fail to exercise reasonable care.
As an example, the acts of God exception could not be used as a defense if a trucker proceeds into an areas where widespread flooding is in progress.
Difference in Carriers
Contract carriers on the other hand, are only held to the degree of liability assumed under contract between them and the shipper.
What this means is that ordinary Bailey’s liability.
This obviously imposes a higher degree of responsibility upon a shipper.
They will need to carefully evaluate the terms of the shipping contract to decide what losses the carrier will and will not pay for.
General Provisions
Under the provisions found in the 1980 Motor Carrier Act, regulated carriers that operate on an interstate basses are also subject to certain financial responsibility requirements.
This is why you need to file for a MC number and carry coverage for protection.
Such carriers are required to maintain various limits of liability protection depending on the type of commodities they transport or haul.
Examples of General Coverage Limits
For example, the most common carriers will require a minimum limit of $750,000.
Drivers who haul hazardous substances must carry limits of either one million dollars or five million dollars.
This depends on the type of cargo they haul.
Regulated Carriers
Regulated carriers must also provide cargo liability coverage to protect against the loss of a shipper’s goods due to any cause.
Current limit requirements for cargo coverage are between five thousand dollars per vehicle with a ten thousand aggregate for loss or damage occurring at any one time or place.
Most states follow these federal guidelines, although some have enacted different limits for drivers that operate under their jurisdiction.
General Compliance
Carriers can comply with these various federal and state requirements.
They can do it through providing evidence of insurance or by obtaining a surety bond that guarantees payment of liability judgments up to the required amounts.
Usually the most common form of compliance is by purchasing the necessary insurance policy and endorsing them with the prescribed attachments.
Keep in mind that even though the various state and federal filings require the company to be responsible for just about all claims up to the guaranteed financial responsibility of the driver.
The actual liability of a company is responsible for the limited to those perils provided for under the cargo policy.
This is because insurance companies normally write their polices so, that they retain the right to seek reimbursement from the trucker for any paid claims falling outside the scope of coverage of these forms.
This is why the financial strength of a transit company can very important to the insurance company proving cargo coverage.
Particular Job Functions
Take note that the status may change depending on a particular job or situation.
For instance, a common carrier may occasionally contract with a shipper to perform services that it does not offer to the general public, thus acting as a contract carrier.
This could require additional limits of coverage especially if the cargo involves items that require high er liability limits than are carried in the basic policy.
In addition to the filings, the ICC regulations also require insuring carriers to provide a copy of their endorse polices to the appropriated federal agency.
Phone Coverage
In addition, it is certified that they will verify over the phone that such coverage is in force when requested.
It is important to take note that all required stat and federal filings must be made by the insurance company providing coverage.
Neither the driver nor his agent can make them.
Many agencies, however are involved in proving certificates of coverage to regulator and contracting fleet carriers for who an owner operator is hauling.
The General Alternative Classification
As an alternative to ICC classification accounts can also be categorized how they run their operations.
This approach to classifying trucking risk can useful for process or to the agency personnel to gain a better understanding as to how the industry operates as a whole.
General Freight Forwarder
These firms act as an agent and arrange for the transportation of cargo for different shippers.
They basically arrange the total transportation chain from the point of origin to the point of delivery.
This generally involves internal shipments of goods that utilize a combination of truck, rail, air, barge and steamship services.
These freight forwarders are generally considered to be common carriers.
General Liability Insurance Exposure
They also have the same liability exposures as any other motor carrier you see out there.
What you will find is that since freight forwards are normally independent carriers, they often look upon their coverage a convenience policy.
Take a look at this, since this will be of topic once you purchase the right general insurance package for your truck.
General Insurance Shipper Paid
This insurance policy by me can be used to pay the shipper in case of loss and then surrogate back against the carrier responsible for the loss.
At times, freight forwarder government compliance requirements.
Finally, note that the method of shipping used by freight forwarders is not exclusively by truck.
Many general companies will not considered these accounts as eligible risks.
The General Operational Business of Coverage
As an operation business, you have guys on the road every day.
Anything can go wrong.
This is why it requires truck insurance or automobile transporters insurance.
Insurance for transportation operations include the following:
Your General Insurance Needs
If your operations involve LTL or P&D work, you have a unique set of needs that needs to be addressed in evaluating and protecting the risks in your business.
Your operations may involve a:
All those elements and related risks must be taken into a consideration when buying a low-cost company.
An auto insurance policy may seem to be written with unfamiliar terminology and complicated clauses.
This can make it very confusing. This article discusses insurance industry terms in language that you understand.
When you understand all auto insurance terms, you can then make better decisions in general.
Insurance Companies Tips
You should review all after-market equipment you intend to install on your car with your insurance agent, so that you can be sure it gets covered properly.
You may put out $1,000 for a fancy stereo system for your car, but if the car is stolen, your insurance is only going to reimburse you for the $30 value they add to your car’s actual function.
Liability coverage of certain minimum levels are required by most states.
As a responsible citizen you will need to determine the insurance coverage required in your state, and make sure you follow the law.
Not having insurance coverage will have you facing many financial and legal consequences if you get into an accident.
Make sure you think about the specific components your auto policy must have with respect to coverage.
You probably don’t need every insurance coverage option.
If you have a history of accidents, it may be worthwhile to pay for collision coverage.
This tip holds true to all types of insurance products.
From trucks used in business to sports cars.
Using this example, let’s talk about sports cars in relationship to saving money.
Sports cars will require you to pay more to insure your vehicle.
Sports cars cost significantly more to insure than many others.
You should stick with an average vehicle.
Business insurance brokers near me.
Cheap insurance, though attractive, is not always the best choice depending on your needs.
This is why it is helpful you look at insurance brokers and general insurance agencies by me and near you for the cheapest insurance coverage possible.
The cheap insurance you found might have gaps in coverage, but it might also be a diamond in the rough.
It is important to know the company well before deciding to buy a policy.
General insurance rates can actually change based on location.
Some areas have higher insurance rates near me because of theft.
Consult with your independent insurance broker or agent, and obtain a complete list of discounts available.
Cheap insurance by me – Bundle Insurance and Save
You can create a list of the discounts and go through them to find all the discounts you can get.
The amount you can save with discounts can be shocking.
Not all car insurance companies near me are equal.
Because insurance companies offer a broad array of policy prices, always solicit additional quotes
if you do not like the first few you receive.
The General Auto Insurance Tips
Hopefully, you understand many of the most common insurance terms, and you’ll be able to find an auto insurance policy that best suits your situation.
A well-informed customer will make the best choice in auto insurance.
There can be even more tips on finding the best insurance rates for your circumstances. Do not settle on the first call, this practice can actually cost you more then save.
Remember, there are a lot independent insurance agents near me in search.
Cheap auto insurance companies exist, whether online, or just around the corner from your home or place of work.
Be sure to work with an experienced coverage adviser like Peninsula General.
We offer products you need to properly protect the assets of your business, meet the regulatory requirements, and safeguard the communities you work within with the financial security of top-rated companies.
Find auto insurance in Orange CA or commercial truck insurance in California.
Offering 30 years experience helping truckers and personal vehicles get cheap insurance by me from independent insurance agents near me.
No mater what part of California you live in.
Peninsula General Commercial is committed to making our website's content accessible and user friendly to everyone. We comply with all the recommendations in WCAG2.0 the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Compatibility Standard by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). If you are having difficulty viewing or navigating the content on this website, or notice any content, feature, or functionality that you believe is not fully accessible to people with disabilities, please call us at (310) 539-2533 or email our team from our Contact page with “Disabled Access” in the subject line. We take your feedback seriously and will consider it as we evaluate ways to accommodate all of our customers and our overall accessibility policies. Additionally, while we do not control our business partners, we strongly encourage all our third-parties to provide digital content that is accessible and user-friendly.
