The Insurance Store, Inc.
Established 1970

Why no two quotes are alike.

¨ Driving record (Tickets, accidents, and number of violations per year)

Every driver is different. Every driver has different tickets and violations on their commercial driving record. The more violations that you have the more you can expect to pay for your commercial trucking insurance. The most expensive violations are moving violations and at fault accidents. So keep your driving record clean and make sure to talk to you agent about any new drivers that you are thinking about hiring. Most insurance agents can run their driving record before you hire them to make sure that they won't make the cost of your coverage increase.

¨ Age of the driver/driver experience

Every driver has been driving their commercial auto for different amounts of time. Those that have had their commercial drivers license for 3 years and more will get the biggest discount here. It they have more than 3 years of experience then they can often get a cheaper commercial truck insurance quote.

¨ Location of operations

This can be a big deciding factor of how much you pay versus the next trucker. If you park you trucks in one city (determined by garaging zip code) then you could pay significantly more than your neighbor who parks his trucks in zip code that is adjacent to yours. Make sure that when you are looking for a new place to park your truck that you check with your insurance agent first. You could potentially save hundreds with this tip alone.

¨ Radius of operations

Radius is calculated by air miles. Your radius is calculated by using your garaging address as a starting point. Depending on how far you driver away from your garaging address the majority of the time will determine what your operating radius is. Know what the furthest city is that you drive to in order to haul a load or do a job.

-Commodities being hauled

Be careful when considering what loads you will haul or transport. Alcohol, electronics, new automobiles, and hazardous materials are some of the most expensive to get coverage for. Be sure to double check the amount that you will get paid for hauling these types of loads before you take the job. You may end up paying more in insurance just to cover your load then you will get for the job.

¨ Financial Responsibility

Your financial responsibility score is a proprietary score which is calculated by each insurance company differently. Almost all of these scores are somewhat related to your credit score. Research has shown that your credit rating score is an indication of how good of a driver you will be. You will pay more for your insurance if your financial responsibility score is low. The higher your score the less you will pay for your insurance.

¨ Liability limit, Um/Uim coverage, Med Pay, Deductibles

Liability for bodily injury and property damage coverage are some of the basic coverages that you will need to start operating a commercial truck in California. Uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage are not required by the state of California like liability is, however it is recommended. Medical pay and full coverage auto insurance are also not required in order to get on the road they are both recommended.

¨ Amount of physical damage on listed vehicles/Age of the equipment

How old your equipment is and the amount of physical damage coverage that you purchase can also affect how much you pay for your commercial truck insurance.

¨ Previous insurance history/Loss runs/Years in business

You can also get additional discounts depending on these factors. Make sure to discuss these coverages with your insurance agent and how you get as many discounts as possible.

Nothing is cheap about being a trucker. Here at The Insurance Store we want to help save you money so you can be successful. For specific questions regarding a quote please call our office at the number below.

(800) 570-0011
Ask for Pete