Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q: What insurance coverage do I need to get started? Or, what is most commonly requested for truckers in California?

A: The following coverage’s are the most common for trucking and transportation in the state of California: (Broker coverages may vary. Make sure to ask your broker to see exactly what they require in order for you to work with them)
$1,000,000 CSL - Commercial Auto Liability
$100,000 - Motor Truck Cargo Insurance
$15,000-25,000 - Non-Owned Trailer Physical Damage Coverage
$1,000 deductible - Physical Damage Coverage Deductible(what you will pay in the event of an accident)

2. Q: I am planning on operating in all of the United States or operating nationwide (48 states). What permits will I need?

A: FMCSA MC Authority with a DOT number. Truck registration requires IRP, Single State Registration (SSRS) and IFTA. Depending on which states you will be going to or through there are a lot of different requirements that you may need to meet.

3. Q: What are the benefits of getting insurance with The Insurance Store, Inc.?

A: The Insurance Store, Inc. has been saving truckers and trucking companies money since the 70's and is a specialist in the truck and transportation insurance industry. We have over 48 years of combined experience, so we know what we are doing. We have maintained excellent relationships with the major insurers in this industry. We proudly maintain strong values of high ethical standards, commitment to caring about the success of our clients and insurers, and honesty.

4. Q: How many insurance carriers does the The Insurance Store ,Inc. work with?

A: The Insurance Store, Inc. works with over 30 different insurance companies to find the best possible price and coverage for you, getting the job done right the first time.

5. Q: What kinds of payments are accepted?

A: We accept payment by a certified funds check, check by fax, Visa or Mastercard. You can also make a payment by cash if that is more convenient. Please call us for more information on this option.

6. Q: It is possible to obtain insurance with a DUI or a "bad" driving record?

A: YES. We make every effort to build the proper policy for just about any Driver. In some cases, however, the premium can get too high and we will spend the proper consultation time to make sure the economics make sense. We will also tell you exactly what you can do to try to minimize this expense.

7. Q: Does The Insurance Store, Inc. charge a fee for any changes to my policy or certificates of insurance?

A: The Insurance Store, Inc. does not charge for the processing of any policy changes or certificates nor do we believe ANY other broker should charge for that service.

8. Q: What does the term "unidentified trailer coverage" mean?

A: Any trailer, while attached to your tractor, which is NOT owned, or long term leased, by you. These types of trailers will be covered under this type of coverage.

9. Q: Am I able to terminate my policy without penalty? Will it affect my credit?

A: Yes you can cancel your policy at any time subject to any notice requirement by the governing authorities. You should check with your agent to make sure there aren’t any cancellation penalties. Some truck insurance policies utilize an outside billing company (premium finance) and an early cancel request in that case will have no cancel penalties. Cancellation will NOT affect your credit. You are, however, expected to pay all premiums that have accrued to your account.

10. Q: How long will a claim affect my premium?

A: For approximately three years. In most cases Insurance companies won't charge for violations that occurred further than 35 months ago. There are even some companies that offer forgiveness for the first moving violation.

11. Q: If the circumstances arise that I will be traveling outside of my normal operating radius, what should I do?

A: Please give The Insurance Store, Inc. a call once you know the destination and how long you will be out of your normal radius and an exception can usually be granted by the insurer. This has to be done in advance so that your insurance account can be noted.

12. Q: What is the difference between “pro-rate” and “short-rate”?

A: Pro-rate means you will only be paying for the days actually insured. Short-rate occurs when the insurance company charges you for the days insured plus a percentage for the early cancellation. See question #10.

13. Q: What are some of the problems with a Motor Truck Cargo insurance policy?

A: Motor truck cargo policies are not the same between the different insurance companies. Certain target commodities, like electronics and wearing apparel, may be totally excluded or only partially covered. Other conditions may exist, like leaving the truck loaded and unattended, where the coverage is excluded altogether. It is essential that you discuss these issues with your agent BEFORE you purchase any motor truck cargo policy.

14. Q: If I were to relocate to another state, would I have to cancel and rewrite?

A: That will depend upon which insurance company you are insured through. Some policies can be transferred. Some of these policies cannot be moved to another state. Please notify us as soon as you can so that we can inform you of what you will need to do when you relocate.

15. Q: What are the requirements to be able to remove a truck from my policy?

A: If you have permits with insurance filings, you generally have to sell or transfer that vehicle out of your name. In some cases a DMV non-operational certificate will work.

16. Q: How soon can I expect my filings to be completed?

A: Generally, permit filings are done by the insurance company the next business day. The Federal (FMCSA) filings are done online and updated immediately while some states can take as long as 3 weeks to process.

17. Q: Are tow bills covered under my insurance policy?

A: Generally the answer to this question is YES; assuming, of course, they are related to an accident and not a mechanical failure.

18. Q: Can I obtain coverage for my personal items inside my truck ?

A: Yes. Many of the insurers have an option to include coverage for these items. It is done through the physical damage coverage

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