Kissimmee, Fla.—In recent days we have heard a lot of all the collateral damage that can occur when there is an accident while transporting hazardous materials. Although this cases have been mostly train derailments, our truck drivers face that type of risk somehow frequently. Transporting hazardous materials creates its own set of risks. According to the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Commerce, there are over 1.5 billion tons of hazardous materials transported each year in the United States either by truck, train, boat, or aircraft.
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, from 2016 to 2020, there were a total of 84,854 highway hazardous materials incidents, 34 highway hazardous materials fatalities, 623 highway hazardous materials injuries, and $286,837 in highway hazardous materials property damage. If you're transporting dangerous goods and have an incident there are legislated responsibilities you are required to meet, one of those is having a plan in place. A documented plan to reduce harm to the public and/or the environment will be your best ally. Also, your best ally is an adequate insurance coverage. For example,
- Pollution liability coverage sometimes called Environmental Insurance, pays for the expenses incurred in clean-up after an accident including costs occurring due to the release of pollutants being transported, owned, loaded, or unloaded from the covered truck.
- Hazmat hauler's liability is often required by a contract, to provide coverage for incidents not related to an automobile accident, such as delivering the wrong materials or products.
- Collision and comprehensive coverage protects your truck and trailer against the losses arising out of theft, vandalism, fire, overturn, and other types of risks.
- General liability, also called hazmat’s hauler liability which protects you from non-trucking activities. Like incorrect delivery of the substance.
- Loading and unloading will cover any damage that occurs to the shipment.
- Medical payments coverage protects you with medical expenses for your truck driver and any passengers injured during the accident. It pays medical and other expenses for drivers and passengers, regardless of fault.
- Downtime coverage will increase protection from your existing physical damage policy and against all likely losses. Truckers Downtime Insurance (typically added to your physical damage policy) helps cover lost income if you cannot use your truck due to a covered loss.
- Loan or Lease Gap Coverage is important if your truck or trailer depreciates faster than what you financed it for. It pays the difference between the actual cash value and the unpaid balance on your lease or loan if your vehicle is totaled.
- Rental reimbursement pays for the rental truck you hire when your own truck is undergoing repair after an accident taking care of the majority of truck rental cost through rental reimbursement coverage.
- Trucking umbrella or excess liability — With limits up to $50,000,000, provides additional liability coverage beyond policies such as General Liability or Commercial Auto Liability Policies.
Our Orlando location has served the insurance needs of the Central Florida community for over 12 years, by offering a full spectrum of truck insurance products and services for owners operators, and small to large fleets. As a local independent insurance agency, Kissimmee Truck Insurance works with top insurance companies in the market, so we can provide you with the right tools to make the best decision at the time of purchasing insurance coverage that truly matches your business’s needs. From Commercial Auto Insurance and/or Contractor Insurance, to Truck Insurance.
Talk to our local, fully bilingual, and experienced agents from Kissimmee Truck Insurance and let them know what your needs and priorities are. Give us a call today at (407) 203-7085— for an initial consultation and quotes from multiple insurance carrier choices who support us in Florida!