Log Truck Insurance
Find out how log truck insurance covers your rig and your freight, and when coverage applies.
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.
Operators of log trucks need protection for their vehicles, their freight, and themselves. Without the right coverage, just one accident or another disaster could be financially devastating. That's why having log truck insurance so important.
Fortunately, an independent insurance agent can help you find the right log truck insurance. They'll get you covered long before you ever have to file a claim. But for starters, here's a closer look at log truck insurance and what it covers.
What Is Log Truck Insurance?
Log truck insurance is a special type of commercial vehicle insurance that covers log trucks, their drivers, and third parties who may be impacted by an accident. Log truck insurance provides physical damage coverage as well as liability protection. An independent insurance agent can help you find the right log truck insurance for your unique rig.
What Does Log Truck Insurance Cover?
When hauling logs over long distances, numerous risks need to be anticipated ahead of time. That's where log truck insurance comes in to offer protection.
Log truck coverage includes:
- Commercial vehicle liability insurance: Provides coverage for log truck operators against lawsuits filed by third parties claiming bodily injury or property damage after an accident.
- Non-trucking liability insurance: Provides liability coverage for the log truck when it's being used for personal reasons and not under dispatch.
- Comprehensive coverage: Protects against damage to your log truck due to a non-collision event such as a flood or theft.
- Collision coverage: Protects against damage to your log truck from a collision with another object, regardless of fault.
- Motor truck cargo insurance: Protects your logs and other loads you haul against collisions, fire, etc.
- Debris removal coverage: Protects you from the cost of removing debris from the logs you were transporting that spilled during an accident.
- Earned freight coverage: Protects you against loss of income caused by damaged, lost, or stolen log cargo you were transporting.
- Loading/unloading coverage: Protects your log cargo from damage during loading and unloading.
An independent insurance agent can help you get equipped with log truck insurance that covers all your specific risk areas.
Is Log Truck Insurance Required?
Many states require you to register and license all commercial vehicles, including log trucks, that are operated on state roads. Before you can register your log truck, it must be covered by the required insurance.
Most states require commercial vehicles to be covered by commercial auto insurance. This coverage can protect you against the cost of lawsuits, damage to your business vehicles, and much more. A separate policy may be required to fully cover your log truck, so be sure to work with an independent insurance agent.
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How Much Does Log Truck Insurance Cost?
The cost of your log truck insurance policy can vary depending on a number of factors, including your location and experience as a driver. It also depends on what kind of log truck operator you are and whether you own your rig.
- The average cost of coverage for owner-operators who lease their log trucks ranges from $3,000 to $5,000 annually.
- The average cost of coverage for owner-operators with their own authority ranges from $9,000 to $12,000 annually.
As a whole, log truck insurance policies with $750,000 in liability protection typically cost between $8,000 and $15,000 annually. However, coverage costs can be much higher for log truck businesses that are brand-new start-ups or for those using dated equipment. An independent insurance agent can help you find affordable log truck insurance near you.
Factors That Influence Log Truck Insurance Rates
Like any type of insurance, several factors can impact the cost of log truck insurance premiums. Here are just a few common examples:
- Operator's experience and driving record
- Number of years the log truck business has been operating
- Truck model, make, age, and value
- Whether the operator follows OSHA log-loading guidelines
- If the driver has a formal written safety plan
- Your specific policy's coverage limits and deductible amount
- Your claims history
An independent insurance agent can provide exact log truck insurance quotes in your area and help you find any discounts you may be eligible for.
Tips to Save on Logging Truck Insurance
If you have an existing log truck insurance policy or are just now shopping for your first one, you might be wondering how to reduce your premium rates. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to do this.
- Work with an independent insurance agent: Independent insurance agents are your greatest ally in finding you quality coverage at an affordable rate. Not only do they shop and compare policies from multiple carriers for you, but they also evaluate your unique needs to find the coverage you deserve.
- Maintain a track record of safety: Log truck businesses that hire safe drivers with clean driving records are often rewarded with cheaper policies. Take it one step further by providing your carrier with a written safety plan.
- Ask your agent about discounts: Many insurance companies offer commercial auto insurance discounts and business insurance discounts on several types of coverage, including log truck insurance. Your business may qualify for bundling discounts, loyalty discounts, and more.
- Bundle/package your coverages: Often, it's cheaper to find all the coverages you need bundled together in a convenient package offered by one insurance company. If you currently have several separate coverages, your independent insurance agent can help you find a policy that condenses them together.
- Compare multiple quotes: Your independent insurance agent can provide you with several different quotes from multiple carriers to find the best possible deal on quality coverage.
Your independent insurance agent can help you find an affordable new policy or any qualifying discounts and other money-saving hacks on an existing policy. They may be able to help you save on coverage you've had for years.
Best Commercial Log Truck Insurance Companies
Commercial log 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 your business's needs.
While an independent insurance agent is a great ally in helping you find the right coverage, you can start by checking out recommendations for the top commercial trucking insurance companies of this year. Otherwise, here are our top picks for log truck insurance:
| Top Commercial Log 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 log truck insurance, no one's better equipped to help than a local independent insurance agent. These agents have access to multiple log 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 Log Truck Insurance
The average cost of log truck insurance ranges from $3,000 to $15,000 annually for policies with $750,000 of liability protection. Coverage costs can be much higher for log truck businesses that are brand-new start-ups or for those using dated equipment. The cost of your policy can depend on several factors, such as your location, driving record, and more.
Log truck insurance is more expensive than other forms of commercial vehicle or commercial truck insurance because the type of freight carries more risks. Logs are larger and heavier than many other types of freight hauled by commercial trucks and could stand to cause much costlier accidents. Due to the increased risks of hauling logs, insurance must be more expensive as a result to protect the carrier.
https://www.iii.org/publications/insuring-your-business-small-business-owners-guide-to-insurance/specific-coverages/business-vehicle-insurance
https://www.truckinginsurance.org/coverage/log-truck-insurance/