Trucking Insurance for Shipping Hazardous Goods

When shopping for insurance, you want to make sure that your insurance carrier has experience with hazardous materials policies. The cargo you haul may require additional endorsements, like Pollution Liability, Wrongful Delivery of Liquids, or General Liability of Hazardous Materials Haulers. 

The right kind of insurance should cover everything from loading and unloading cargo, to site pollution cleanup, to in-transit operations. You also want to make sure your insurance provider understands the risks and realities of hauling these materials. Working with a company that’s out of the loop could end up costing a great deal of money down the line. 

Imagine a scenario where you’re hauling hazardous material, and there is an accident. Unfortunately, the material you were hauling leaks onto the highway and poses a risk to public safety and property. A seasoned trucking insurance company will understand what needs to be done. It’s not just about getting your truck fixed or attending to any injuries- there is also a need to clean up the spill. The longer the materials are loose, the more damage it can cause, and the more money it could cost your company. Inexperienced insurance companies might leave the hazardous cleanup job up to local authorities. This could cost valuable time and put more people at risk. 

Another important element to consider is the kind of customer service your insurance provider offers. You might be able to save money by going with a company that isn’t open as often or doesn’t have a large staff. While this might seem like a great idea at first, it can ultimately hurt you. Imagine that the scenario above happened on the weekend or at night. Waiting until regular business hours to file your claim could be detrimental to your business. Make sure you work with a company that can respond to your needs on your time and not on theirs.