Are you hauling hazardous materials and need a truck insurance quote? Don’t get 1 quote. Get 3!
Insurance for hazardous materials haulers is not cheap. Premiums vary widely between companies so it pays to shop around. We can help you save by bringing you 3 agents to compete for your policy. It’s quick and easy to get the best deal!
Hazmat Hauler Insurance Rates
The insurance rates you pay for transporting hazardous materials or hazardous waste are obviously going to be higher than if you were hauling hay. But you can also make more per load, hauling fuel, than you can hauling hay.
For starters, while most truckers are required to have a minimum of $750,000 in liability, you will most likely have to have limits of $2,000,000 or $5,000,000 in liability coverage. Some commodities that are considered hazardous will only need $1,000,000 in coverage, though.
Insurance for hazmat haulers is also an inefficient marketplace. The premiums vary widely between companies. The best way to save is to get multiple quotes, from different companies.
What Is Considered Hazardous Cargo?
HM (Hazardous Materials) are regulated by the US DOT. They break down the materials into different classes:
- Class 1 – Explosives
- Class 2 – Gases
- Class 3 – Flammable Liquid
- Class 4 – Flammable Solid
- Class 5 – Oxidizing Substances ; Organic Peroxides
- Class 6 – Poisonous (Toxic) and Infectious Substances
- Class 7 – Radioactive Material
- Class 8 – Corrosives
- Class 9 – Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods (ex hazardous wastes, marine pollutants)
Here’s a few examples of typical hazardous materials that trucks haul, most of time these will be in tankers:
- Adhesives
- Fuels (Natural Gas, Gasoline, Ethanol, Kerosene, Diesel)
- Chemicals
- Cleaning Compounds
- Contaminated Soils
- Fertilizers
- Waste Solvents
- Batteries
- Pesticides
- Fireworks
- Biohazards
- Anhydrous Ammonia
If you haul any of these, you already know that it’s more expensive to insure. There are choices though, for your insurance. Comparing is key and you could save thousands of dollars per year by getting quotes from the right companies.
Hazardous Materials Trucking Insurance Requirements
It’s no surprise that this is the most heavily regulated type of cargo that you can haul. Placards are required and you’ll need to keep your CDL endorsements up to date.
The FMCSA has their own rules and so does each State. The EPA and DOT are involved in classifying materials and the insurance companies will want to know if you haul any materials on those lists that are labeled hazardous or extra hazardous.
When shopping for insurance, you need to make sure your insurance agent has experience writing hazmat policies. For instance, you may need a
- Pollution Liability Endorsement
- General Liability policy tailored to hazardous haulers
- Coverage for Wrongful Delivery of Liquids
so make sure your agent knows semis and the ins and outs of the various coverages, endorsements, and exclusions you will need.
Hazmat Violations will increase rates
Make sure follow all the Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations. A violations can drastically increase your semi insurance premiums and put the public at risk. Keep your coverage costs down by playing it safe.
The #1 hazmat violation that turns up in roadside inspections is Violation 177.834A – Package not secure in vehicle.
Truckers that have this violation get an Out of Service violation 95% of the time!
To keep your insurance rates down and to protect the public, you need to keep a tight reign on your safety. Other major violations that will knock you out of service are not having Shipping Papers or the proper placards.
Hauling in these States?
States where most of the deaths due to hauling hazardous materials are:
New York, Texas, Ohio, Florida, California, Arizona, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Colorado, Indiana, New Jersey, Georgia, Virginia, Minnesota, Illinois, Alabama, South Carolina, Kentucky, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Hawaii.
These states had 1 or less deaths due to hazmat trucking:
Kansas, Oregon, Maryland, Washington, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Iowa, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Nebraska. Arkansas, West Virginia, New Mexico, Delaware, Utah, Idaho, Alaska, Maine, New Hampshire, Mississippi, Nevada, Montana, South Dakota, North Carolina, Vermont, North Dakota, Wyoming.
It’s no surprise that the more populated states have more accidents.
Save big on Hazmat Transport Insurance by getting 3 quotes.
Pulling hazmat loads can be quite lucrative. If you are engaged in the transportation of hazardous materials, you can keep more of the money you earn by saving on your insurance. Since there are multiple companies that insure truckers hauling HM, it’s important to shop.
If you are a hazmat hauler, you can get quotes
- In all 50 States
- Hauling any type of Hazardous Cargo
