In trucking, risk doesn’t solely travel on the road. While commercial auto coverage takes care of vehicular incidents, general liability protects you against those unexpected situations arising off the wheel.

Understanding Off-Road Exposures

Loading and unloading are part of everyday operations, yet they present their own set of complexities. When cargo shifts or falls, it can result in significant damage or injury, underscoring the need for solid liability coverage.

Then there are your operational bases—your terminals. Here, premises liability becomes a focal point. Any slip, trip, or equipment-related incident could potentially open avenues for legal claims. It’s the quieter but persistent exposure that warrants attention.

Customer Facility Visits

Incidents don’t respect boundaries. Offloading at a customer facility can see mishaps that require you to have your liability exposures covered. It’s about maintaining control over variables you encounter outside home ground.

Beyond Drivers and Vehicles

While drivers and trucks are your most visible assets, they’re not the only ones at risk. Employees behind the scenes or in the yard face their own hazards. Your responsibility extends to ensuring that their work environment remains safe from potential peril.

General liability in trucking is often treated as a companion to auto coverage, yet it stands on its own. It is less about negating risk and more an exercise in recognition and preparation.

It is your measured choices and awareness that keep the scales balanced—never preemptively tipping into avoidable losses.

Andria Baunee is the principal broker at National Heritage Risk – a boutique insurance brokerage that caters exclusively to medium-sized fleets in the United States. For more information, email Andria@NationalHeritageRisk.com or call (716) 402-8686.