In the world of trucking, insurance coverage extends beyond the open road and often into places less considered, like the loading dock or customer premises.

Key Areas of Operational Exposure

While many in our industry focus on the driving risks, it’s the less obvious exposures that can reveal significant vulnerabilities. Loading and unloading activities, for instance, present unique challenges. These often occur under tight schedules where pressure can lead to oversight.

Premises liability at your terminals is another area deserving attention. It’s not uncommon to see incidents involving slip and fall occurring in these transitional spaces, where foot traffic is frequent and often fast-paced.

Customer Facility Concerns

When a truck enters a customer’s space, risks shift again. Damage to their property or injury to their employees can become the responsibility of your fleet, depending on contractual agreements and fault.

Non-driving exposures, such as employee actions that lead to property damage or bodily injury, are worth examining. The assumption that auto policies cover all trucking operations is a misconception that can lead to unfortunate discoveries during a claim.

General liability fills these gaps, acting as a safety net for those unexpected events that aren’t strictly bound to the vehicle itself.

While each fleet’s operations differ, the fundamental exposures remain largely consistent. Recognizing these areas of liability is not about eliminating risk but understanding and managing it effectively.

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.