Insurance for Auto Haulers
Transporting vehicles is no easy feat, and with challenges like high operating costs and various cargo risks, carriers could use some support. When you’re charged with bringing vehicles between staging yards, dealerships, and private residences, the right insurance for auto haulers can help you stay on track.
What kind of coverage do auto haulers need?
Hauling vehicles calls for specialized training, but even the best drivers can run into trouble on the road. When your cargo is exposed, it’s more prone to damage, and even a small dent in a car can be a big headache for your company.
Since risks can come from all sides, your coverage needs to be diverse. We’ve developed a policy tailored to auto haulers, including features like:
- Commercial Automobile Coverage
- Cargo Insurance
- Commercial General Liability
- Warehousemen’s Legal Liability
- Property Insurance
Need more? No problem.
We have other handy coverages for trailer operators, like our Select Endorsement: this extends coverage to include your operations as a freight forwarder or load broker.
When you deal with shipping contracts, you’ll welcome the features of this coverage, including Declared Value of Cargo, Brands and Labels, and Control of Salvage. Your broker can walk you through all the advantages of Select Endorsement!
When can auto hauler insurance come to your rescue?
From improper loading to rocks bouncing off windshields, cargo damage is not unusual for auto haulers. But there are other problems that can arise on and off the road, too.
Your insurance should be broad enough to respond in a range of situations that could arise between point A and point B, but also deep enough to ease the costly burden of a covered loss. Here are a few scenarios where specific features can come into play.
High-value cargo needs the right protection
A collection of exposed cars traveling down the highway can be at risk of flying objects, leaking fluids from the cars above, or even weather damage. And when a scratch or dent can carry a big repair cost, you’ll want to make sure you won’t have to pay out of pocket for the damage that could occur.
One of the most important coverages for an auto hauler is carrier’s cargo insurance: this is designed to help cover the cost of lost or damaged third-party cargo while it’s in your possession.
Training and maintenance errors can be disastrous
Auto hauling demands special training for drivers; without it, drivers can expose the fleet to cargo loss and personal injury claims. Maintenance is another key issue to consider: inadequate equipment maintenance could lead to things like ruptured hydraulic lines, causing injury, damage, and environmental contamination.
Aside from careful routine inspections and a commitment to driver training, auto haulers will want to consider commercial auto coverage that can respond if things go awry on the road. This coverage can help cover expenses related to loss, damage, and injury if your vehicle or your cargo is involved in a collision or damage to a third party.
A little slip-up can be a big problem
You’re aware of risks on the road, but keep in mind you can be held responsible for incidents on your lot or in your warehouse, too. If a visitor was to slip and fall on a slab of ice or perhaps a slick of oil, they could injure themselves badly – and blame you for the incident.
Commercial general liability (CGL) coverage is crucial for any carrier to have, considering how one small incident could bring expensive consequences. If a customer or other visitor brought a lawsuit against your company for an injury or property damage that occurred on your worksite, your CGL coverage could help with the costs of the legal proceedings.
Assistance at every step of the way
On top of our comprehensive core coverage and exceptional customer service, your business insurance policy grants you access to our Assist service for extra peace of mind.
Learn more about how and when our Assist services can come to your rescue!
Commercial Truck Filings
Proving that you have enough liability insurance to meet all federal requirements isn’t an option – it’s a necessity. That’s why we help complete and expedite federal filings for our customers who do business in the U.S.
Plans change, and last-minute arrangements can be stressful. When you’re short on time, we can get things moving right away, arranging your financial proof of responsibility quickly so you can stay on track without risking a penalty when you cross the border.
Managing Risk
We know that risk differs across industries. We also know that your auto hauler operation is unique, and the challenges you face deserve careful consideration and a personalized approach. Insurance plays an important role, but it’s not everything – you can lean on our industry expertise, library of focused resources, and confident guidance to take your protection and loss prevention to the next level.
