Box Truck Insurance
Find out how box truck insurance covers your vehicle and why it's necessary.
Written by
Christine Lacagnina has written thousands of insurance-based articles for TrustedChoice.com by authoring consumable, understandable content.
Reviewed by
Cara Carlone is a licensed P&C agent with 20 years of experience. She has her P&C license in RI and TX and holds CPCU, API, and AINS designations.
Whether you operate a box truck for moving services, furniture or package delivery, or any other purpose, it's crucial to have coverage before you hit the road. Left unprotected, your box truck is vulnerable to many threats beyond accidental collisions. That's why you need to consider getting box truck insurance.
Fortunately, an independent insurance agent can help you get equipped with the right box truck insurance. They'll get you covered long before you need to file a claim. But up first, here's a breakdown of box truck insurance and why it's important.
What Is Box Truck Insurance?
Box truck insurance is a special type of commercial vehicle insurance specifically designed to protect box trucks and box truck operators. Policies combine physical damage coverage for the truck and liability protection for the driver. Protection is also often included for the cargo transported inside box trucks, which can range from furniture to goods from warehouses and more.
What Does Box Truck Insurance Cover?
A box truck insurance policy is similar to other commercial auto insurance policies. The basic coverages provided are:
- Commercial auto liability coverage: This includes property damage liability and bodily injury liability. These protections cover the driver against lawsuits filed by third parties.
- Collision coverage: Protects against damage to your box truck from a collision with another object, regardless of fault.
- Comprehensive coverage: Protects against damage to your box truck due to a non-collision event such as a flood or theft.
- Non-trucking liability insurance: Protects you and your box truck while you operate it for personal use, not while on dispatch.
- Earned freight coverage: Protects you against loss of income caused by damaged, lost, or stolen cargo you were transporting.
- Motor truck cargo coverage: Protects the cargo you're hauling in your box truck in case it gets damaged during transportation.
- Debris removal coverage: Protects you from the cost of removing debris or materials you were transporting that spilled after an accident.
- Loading/unloading coverage: Protects your cargo from damage during loading and unloading.
An independent insurance agent can help you ensure that your box truck insurance policy comes with all the coverages you need to feel protected on and off the job.
Is Box Truck Insurance Required?
Box truck insurance is often required by state law, though each state's requirements for minimum liability coverage limits vary. You're likely to be required to carry box truck insurance if your career falls into one of these categories:
- Moving services
- Junk removal
- Retail delivery
- Pallet delivery
- Furniture delivery
- Box truck stores
An independent insurance agent can help you find your state's liability coverage requirements for your box truck and make sure that you get set up with coverage if your career requires it. But beyond being mandatory by your state, it's also important to consider getting box truck coverage to protect your vehicle from potentially huge repair or replacement costs after a disaster.
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Are Coverage Requirements Different for For-Hire Box Truck Drivers?
While businesses that use box trucks need all the coverages listed above, for-hire box truck drivers may not need as much. For-hire drivers often have their liability coverage provided by their motor carriers and, therefore, only need to provide their own motor truck cargo insurance while on the job. When off the job, it's important that for-hire drivers have their own non-trucking liability coverage.
How Much Does Box Truck Insurance Cost?
The cost of box truck insurance, like any other policy, can vary depending on several factors. However, many box truck operators pay an average of $3,000 to $5,000 annually for liability coverage alone.
The following factors can influence the cost of box truck insurance:
- How long your business has been around
- Your driving history and record
- The make, model, and age of your box truck
- How many vehicles you need to insure
- The value of your box truck
- Your operating location
- The type and amount of coverage you select
- Your claims history
Working with an independent insurance agent is a great way to find the most affordable box truck insurance options in your area. They'll also help by scouting out any discounts you may qualify for on your coverage.
How to Save on Box Truck Insurance
Fortunately, there are several ways you can potentially lower the price of box truck insurance. Working with an independent insurance agent is a great place to start, but you can also follow these tips:
- Look for discounts: You can possibly save money on box truck insurance through common commercial vehicle insurance discounts like bundling discounts (i.e., if you combine more than one coverage through the same carrier), paid-in-full discounts (i.e., if you pay off your entire year's premium up front), or safe driver discounts (i.e., if you've maintained a clean driving record for a certain number of years).
- Practice safe driving habits: Insurance companies often reward safe drivers with lower coverage premiums. Keep your driving record free of accidents and other traffic violations, and you're highly likely to receive a discount on your box truck insurance premiums. You might also get an additional discount if you complete a state-approved safe driving course.
- Shop multiple policies: When searching for the best price on box truck insurance, it's helpful to shop multiple insurance companies and policy options. One carrier may offer a discount you qualify for that another doesn't, and one policy might have a higher deductible and lower premium rate than another.
An independent insurance agent is your greatest ally in finding you affordable box truck insurance. They can shop and compare multiple policies and carriers for you, and provide you with several quotes at once.
Best Box Truck Insurance Companies
Box truck insurance is available from many different carriers, and may come as a specialized form of commercial vehicle or commercial truck insurance. However, finding coverage will depend on your specific location and coverage needs. While an independent insurance agent can assist in helping you find the right coverage, you can start by reviewing our top picks for box truck insurance.
| Top Box Truck Insurance Companies | Overall Carrier Star Rating |
| Encova |
|
| Progressive |
|
| West Bend |
|
| Westfield |
|
| Builders & Tradesmen's Insurance |
|
| Mercury Insurance |
|
| State Auto |
|
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Why Choose an Independent Insurance Agent?
When you're ready to get equipped with the right box truck insurance, no one's better equipped to help than a local independent insurance agent. These agents have access to multiple box truck insurance carriers, so they can shop and compare rates for you.
They'll get you set up with the right coverage at the best possible rate. And down the road, your agent will still be there to help you file claims when necessary.
FAQs about Box Truck Insurance
Box truck insurance is a special type of commercial vehicle insurance that combines physical damage coverage for box trucks as well as liability protection for drivers. Protection is also necessary for the cargo transported inside box trucks. This coverage may be included in the box truck insurance policy, or may be a separate add-on.
Many box truck operators pay between $3,000-$5,000 annually for their liability coverage, but the overall cost of your policy may be influenced by several factors, including your location, your business's operations, and your claims history.
Actually, the terms are used interchangeably and refer to the same type of vehicle. A straight truck is a box truck. A straight or box truck has its bed and cab on the same frame and a roll-up cargo door on the back.
Straight or box trucks average 10 feet to 26 feet in length, and the small trucks are usually between 6-8 feet in height. Straight or box trucks might have pull-out ramps or hydraulic lifts attached for easy loading. These trucks transport all kinds of cargo, from furniture to retail goods.
https://www.iii.org/publications/insuring-your-business-small-business-owners-guide-to-insurance/specific-coverages/business-vehicle-insurance
https://cdltrainingspot.com/what-is-considered-a-straight-truck-with-pictures/
https://www.boxtruckinsurancehq.com/box-truck-insurance-tips/how-much-does-box-truck-insurance-cost/