In the United States, your box truck will be expected to adhere to certain minimum requirements. Have it in mind that liability coverage is the major component necessary to meet state insurance requirements. You can expect to pay around $9,000 and $30,000 a year for your 26ft box truck truck insurance.
Being a box truck owner comes with its own risk and there are numerous reasons why you will need adequate insurance to protect your 26ft box truck.
When considering the cost of insurance for your 26ft box truck, your insurance company will have to take into consideration numerous factors specific to your business. Truth be told, you will need box truck insurance whether you drive your box truck or straight truck under someone else’s trucking authority or if you’re an owner-operator.
If you are an owner and operator of the box truck, you are expected to pay around $9000 and $15,000 a year, including all the insurance elements, as long that you have a good driving record.
However in recent times, prices for truck insurance have increased, and you might even have to pay as much as $30,000 per year, depending on the coverage you need and your driving history. But for owner-operators, the cost of coverage is around $2000 and $4000, as long as they are leased to a motor carrier. Howbeit, certain circumstances will genuinely influence the price of the premium.
Factors That Will Influence the Cost of Insurance for a 26ft Box Truck for Freight Hauling
Just as it was noted above, there are varying factors about your business that will influence your rates. They include;
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Business Location
One of the most notable factors that will influence the cost of your 26ft box truck insurance is the location of your business. Have it in mind that rural areas will have less traffic and this entails there’s a reduced possibility of accidents and collisions.
Owing to that, you might pay more for your 26ft box truck Insurance if your business is located in an urban area. Also, note that the insurance company will also consider the distance your truck is expected to travel for business.
Note that if a travel radius is covered by the truck, the higher the possibility of accidents and the more the cost of your premium. So, if your box truck will have to always cross state boundaries, you may also have to pay more irrespective of your location.
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The Type of Insurance You Need
Another factor that will influence the cost of your 26ft box truck is the type of insurance coverage you want. A good number of carriers offer basic box truck insurance policies that will only feature property damage and injury liability. The property liability will cover damages to your box truck, while the injury liability will cover injuries or damages to someone else in an accident caused by your box truck.
While these policies will protect your box truck, they may not be enough to give you all the cover you need. Therefore, you may need to consider other policies such as additional protection, but note that the more policies you inculcate, the more you have to pay.
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The Value of The Box Truck
Note that box trucks with a higher value will warrant a higher insurance cost. This is because an expensive box truck will also cost more in repairs or replacement.
Additionally, older trucks cost more to insure than newer ones, because as trucks age, they develop faults. To ensure you obtain the right value of your truck, the insurance company might request for the year, manufacturer, the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), and the model of your box truck.
Sometimes, they might only request your VIN as it will help them obtain the information they need about your vehicle without asking you to enter the values manually.
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Number of Box Trucks You Have
Indeed, the more box trucks you have in your fleet, the more it will cost to insure them. Have it in mind that having more box trucks entails you have more risk of loss, so you will be expected to pay higher insurance.
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Your Truck Drivers
This is another factor that will influence the cost of insuring your 26ft box truck. Have it in mind that insurance companies will want to ascertain the age and experience of your box truck drivers to give you a quote. They might also ask for documents such as the Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) and the driver’s license of your truck drivers.
The MVR makes available a report on the driver’s tickets and accidents. It will carry the driving record of your drivers. In this line of business, you might get a cheaper premium if your drivers have a trucking license, extensive driving experience, and a spot-free driving record.
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The Kind of Goods You Haul
Your insurer will want to know what kind of goods you carry to give you the right quotes. Usually, companies that carry expensive items or perishable items will require a higher level of insurance than others. Some insurers do not even offer services to some box trucks that carry certain types of cargo. Also, the type of contract you have with your clients will define the type of rates you get from your insurance company.
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Loss-runs
This more or less describes the history of all of your losses and claims as a business. If your hauling business has a history of claims, accidents, traffic citations, or speeding penalties, it might entail higher insurance rates. This is because the insurance provider considers your business as a more significant risk to cover. These elements, in their opinion, show there is a higher probability that you may face a lawsuit in the future.
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How Long Has Your Company Been in Operation
You need to understand that businesses that have been in operation for a few years will pay less for insurance because the insurance company has more information to examine and data to analyze. Note that a well-established firm with a relatively clean loss record would pay cheaper rates when compared to much newer ones.
Conclusion
Getting the right coverage for your 26ft box truck can be quite tasking as there are loads of insurance policies in existence. Although each state sets its own limits for required liability coverage, it’s often necessary you seek higher coverage limits to adequately protect your freight hauling business.
Ensure to research numerous companies, compare the costs, and find the one that you can afford. Avoid insurance policies that seem too good to be true because most often, they are not true.