Farm work would be impossible without the use of trucks and other large vehicles used to transport workers, equipment, and the valuable produce that farms produce. Farm trucks are full of character, are used to getting a bit dirty, and are essential to keeping a farm fully operational. Insuring farm trucks is vital for maintaining a farm running the way it should.

 

Likewise, commercial trucks are essential for hauling employees and goods from one place to another. Commercial trucks can include large trucks or trailers used to haul goods locally or long distances. A fleet of commercial trucks would also need insurance in order to help protect your business, your vehicles, and your employees in case of an accident.

 

There is a difference between farm truck insurance and commercial truck insurance. Trucks used for farm or commercial purposes will likely need more insurance coverage and additional liability coverage because of the nature of the work being done.

 

Commercial Truck Insurance

 

Commercial truck insurance is used to help protect a truck in case of an accident, injury to the driver or a third party, vandalism, theft, or other damage. Like regular auto insurance, commercial truck insurance is designed to meet the needs of drivers, the business, and vehicles by taking into consideration the risks associated with driving each vehicle.

 

Commercial vehicles can include:

• Semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, or 18-wheelers
• Dump trucks
• Garbage trucks
• Car haulers or auto trailers
• Tow trucks
• Flatbed trucks
• Tank trucks
• Box trucks

 

A commercial truck could also be a personal vehicle that an employee uses for business purposes. Commercial truck insurance is designed to cover employees, the truck itself, and property that could be damaged in an accident. As a business operator using commercial trucks, your insurance policy limits need to be high enough to cover your employees, the worth of your vehicle(s), and the potential loss of business in case your truck is out of commission.

 

Farm Truck Insurance

 

Farm vehicles can include pickup trucks, tractors, trailers, vans, and other specialty vehicles used in the operation of a farm. One of the ways a farm truck insurance policy could differ from a commercial truck insurance policy, is where the farm truck is being used. This will affect cost and coverage levels.

In some cases, a farm truck might be used solely on farm property; This minimizes the risk that is associated with driving off the farm. If a farm truck is driven on public roads, that will change how much insurance coverage is needed. If a farm truck is also used for personal use, that will impact the amount of coverage needed as well.

A farm truck should have insurance that covers the truck for its value, as well as coverage that would allow your business to continue functioning if that vehicle was unusable for a covered reason. Your insurance should cover employees as well as third-party individuals and properties that could be damaged in an accident.

 

The Difference Between Commercial Truck and Farm Truck Insurance

 

Basic coverage for a farm truck and a commercial truck should include liability, collision insurance, OTC (other-than-collision) insurance, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. The difference between these policies will be insuring the goods they are carrying, and coverage limits can vary because farm and commercial trucks have different purposes.

 

Liability Differences

 

Farm trucks need liability coverage as it is required in most states, but the amount may vary depending on where you drive it. If you get in an accident on your farm, your other insurance policies might help cover the cost of that damage. However, if you drive your farm truck elsewhere, you want to make sure that you have liability insurance in the event of: an accident, property damage, or injury to someone.

Commercial trucks are generally driven on public roads, which means you’ll want liability coverage. There are many risks that big commercial trucks face on the road, and your insurance limits should reflect that. A commercial truck is often the biggest vehicle on the road and therefore can cause greater damage if in an accident. The minimum coverage amount is higher for commercial trucks than farm trucks.

For both farm trucks and commercial trucks, liability coverage can also help pay for court or legal costs associated with a lawsuit stemming from injury or damage caused by your truck.

 

Collision and OTC (other-than-collision) Differences

 

Collision coverage is optional for both farm trucks and commercial trucks, but it is a good coverage to have. Collision coverage is also known as physical damage coverage and can help pay for physical damage to your farm truck or commercial truck in the event of an accident. Depending on how much you drive your farm truck, where you drive it, and its value, your collision coverage limit could be lower.

However, commercial vehicles are expensive and large, which creates a tough situation when they are involved in an accident. You want to make sure that they are covered for their full value so that you aren’t left owing money to a lease company. Additionally, OTC (other-than-collision) insurance is a good coverage to have on commercial vehicles because they might be driven in many different locations. This can increase the chances that the vehicle could be stolen, vandalized, or otherwise damaged.

 

Uninsured Motorist Differences

 

Finally, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage helps you in case you are involved in an accident with an uninsured or uninsured motorist. For farm trucks and commercial trucks, this offers financial coverage and the opportunity to get back to business quicker in case you are involved in an accident.

 

Final Thoughts

 

The major differences in these insurance policies will be whether your farm truck leaves your farm or not, and what kind of commercial truck(s) you have operating. Additional policy add-ons for refrigerated trucks, for instance, could change the overall cost of your policy. Commercial truck drivers may also want to consider motor truck cargo insurance, which insures the cargo the truck is carrying in case it is damaged or destroyed in transit.

To learn more about commercial truck and farm truck insurance, contact our team at ProtectiveAgency.com  or call (877) 739-9367. Our licensed insurance agents will be happy to answer any questions you have.