This week, we celebrate National Truck Driver Appreciation Week — a time to honor the hardworking men and women who keep America moving. Truck drivers are the backbone of our economy: hauling freight, logging long hours, and making sure shelves stay stocked and families get what they need.
At StreetSmart Insurance, we’re proud to serve the trucking community. Beyond saying “thank you,” we want to share practical insurance tips to help you stay protected, profitable, and confident on the road — especially as rules and requirements continue to change.
1. Don’t Just Choose the Cheapest Policy
Saving a few dollars on your premium might sound good, but the cheapest policy can cost you big when something goes wrong. Many “cut-rate” policies have limited liability, high deductibles, or exclusions that leave you unprotected.
Paying a little more now could save you thousands later. The right coverage means you’re not left holding the bill after an accident.
2. Know Your Liability Limits
Your liability coverage protects you if you’re at fault in an accident. With rising repair and medical costs, minimum limits often aren’t enough.
For example, some states — like New Jersey — have recently raised their minimum liability requirements to $1.5 million for large trucks. If you’re only carrying the federal minimum of $750,000, you may be underinsured depending on where you operate.
Work with your agent to make sure your limits meet both federal and state requirements.
3. Protect Your Cargo
Your truck keeps you moving, but your cargo is your paycheck. Theft, accidents, or weather damage can mean huge financial loss if your load isn’t covered.
Some states now require specific cargo insurance endorsements based on what you haul. Always double-check your policy against the freight you’re carrying, especially if you move higher-value loads.
4. Understand Physical Damage Coverage
Your truck is your livelihood. Physical damage coverage helps pay for repairs or replacement if your rig is damaged by an accident, theft, or even a natural disaster.
Without it, you could be stuck with repair bills that take you off the road for weeks, costing far more than the premium would have.
5. Review Your Policy Regularly
Trucking isn’t static. Routes change, contracts update, and regulations shift. What covered you last year may not protect you today.
We recommend a yearly policy review — and anytime your business changes (new equipment, different routes, new contracts, or additional drivers). This ensures you stay compliant and fully covered.
6. Stay Ahead of Regulatory Changes
2025 is bringing important updates that truckers should know:
- FMCSA & Login.gov: Insurance and BOC-3 filings must now go through the FMCSA Portal with multi-factor authentication.
- Safety Scores (SMS Changes): The FMCSA is updating how safety violations are grouped and weighted, which can directly affect your safety score — and your insurance rates.
- CDL & Reporting Rules: Drivers no longer have to self-report certain moving violations, and the definition of “medical treatment” for accident reporting has been updated.
- State Minimums: Some states, like New Jersey, have raised liability requirements above the federal minimum. Intrastate carriers in certain states may also need higher limits.
These updates can impact both your compliance and your insurance premiums. Make sure your policy reflects the latest requirements.
Conclusion
This Truck Driver Appreciation Week, we want to say thank you. You keep America moving, and we’re here to make sure you’re always protected on the road.
Call us today to review your coverage and confirm you’re meeting both state and federal requirements.
And don’t forget to visit our StreetSmart Insurance Blog for more tips, updates, and resources built specifically for truckers.
— The StreetSmart Insurance Team