ServicesPhysical Damage Insurance
Physical Damage Insurance in Union City
Physical damage coverage pays to fix or replace your truck and trailer after a crash, fire, theft or storm. We put the value, the deductible and what is left out in writing, so you know what a claim pays before you need one.
What Physical Damage Coverage Does
Liability pays for the other guy. Physical damage pays for your own equipment. It comes in two parts. Collision covers damage when your truck hits something or rolls over. Comprehensive covers the rest: fire, theft, vandalism, hail, flood and a tree coming down on the hood.
If you finance or lease your truck, the lender almost always requires it and wants to be listed on the policy. If your truck is paid off, it is your call. Ask yourself one thing: if the truck were gone tomorrow, could you replace it out of pocket and keep working?
Owner-operators leased onto a carrier should know this. The carrier's policy usually covers liability while you run under their authority. It usually does not cover your truck. That part is on you.
What We Put in Your Policy
Collision
Pays for repairs or a total loss when your truck hits another vehicle, a guardrail or a loading dock, or tips over. It applies no matter who caused the wreck, minus your deductible.
Comprehensive
Covers losses that are not a crash. Theft, fire, vandalism, falling objects, flood and hail all fall here. Spring storms around here can dent a hood and crack glass in minutes.
Stated value on each unit
Most truck policies pay based on the value listed for each tractor or trailer. We help you pick a number that matches what the unit is really worth. Too low and a total loss leaves you short. Too high and you pay premium you will never collect.
Trailers listed separately
Your trailer gets its own line, its own value and its own deductible. If you pull trailers you do not own, that is a different coverage. We cover that on our trailer interchange insurance page.
Loss payee for your lender
We add your bank or leasing company to the policy and send them proof of coverage. That keeps your financing in good standing.
Optional add-ons
Many policies can add towing, downtime pay or coverage for permanently attached equipment like a sleeper setup or a lift gate. We list each one, and its cost, so you can say yes or no.
Signs You Need to Look at This Coverage
You just financed a truck
Your lender will ask for physical damage with them named on it. Without it, the loan can be in default.
You leased onto a carrier
Their liability policy does not repair your tractor. If you are running without your own physical damage, one wreck can end your business.
Your stated value is years old
Truck values move. If the number on your policy was set when you bought the truck, it may be far off from what it is worth today.
You added equipment
New trailer, new tractor or a big upgrade to the one you have. If it is not listed on the policy, it may not be covered.
You do not know your deductible
If you cannot say what you would pay out of pocket on a claim, it is time to pull the policy out and read it with us.
How We Set Up Your Coverage
- 1
A phone or video call
We start with your trucks and your operation. What you haul, how far you run and who drives. Most folks handle this by phone or video, or you can come by our office.
- 2
Gather the details
We need the VIN, year, make and model for each unit, what you paid and any lienholder. Driver records and your loss history help too.
- 3
Shop the markets
We take your information to the insurance companies that write physical damage for trucks like yours. Some fit new ventures better. Some fit older equipment better.
- 4
Your written quote
You get each option in writing. Stated value per unit, the deductible, the premium, add-ons and exclusions, all line by line. No extra fees show up later that were not on that page.
- 5
Coverage starts
Once you pick, we bind the policy and send proof to your lender and anyone else who needs it.
What Moves Your Premium
Physical damage is priced mostly on what the truck is worth and how likely it is to get hurt. We cannot give a number until we see your units and drivers. Here is what the companies look at.
- Value of each unit
- A newer tractor with a high stated value costs more to cover than an older one. Each trailer adds its own amount.
- Your deductible
- A higher deductible lowers the premium. It also means more cash out of your pocket on every claim. We show you both sides on paper.
- Drivers and experience
- Years behind the wheel and a clean driving record carry a lot of weight. New CDL holders usually pay more.
- Loss history
- Past claims on your trucks show up in your loss runs. Fewer claims usually means a better rate.
- What you haul and where
- Long-haul runs, high-theft freight and rough job sites all change the risk. Where the truck parks at night matters for theft.
Physical Damage Questions
Something not covered here? (770) 790-4033
My truck is paid off. Do I still need physical damage?
Nobody requires it once the lender is gone. The question is whether you could replace the truck and keep earning if it was totaled or stolen. If not, it is worth pricing out so you can compare the cost to the risk.
I am leased to a carrier. Doesn't their insurance cover my truck?
Usually it covers liability while you run under their authority, not damage to your own tractor. Read your lease or send it to us and we will look at it with you. Many leased owner-operators also need non-trucking liability (bobtail) insurance.
Does physical damage cover my cargo?
No. It covers the truck and trailer only. The freight you haul is covered by motor truck cargo insurance, which is a separate policy.
Will it pay for a blown engine or worn brakes?
No. Physical damage covers sudden losses like a wreck, fire or theft. Mechanical breakdown and normal wear are not part of it. We note that on the options we send you so there is no confusion.
How is a total loss paid?
On most truck policies, the company pays up to the stated value you chose, or the actual cash value if that is lower, minus your deductible. If there is a lender, they get paid first. That is why setting an honest stated value up front matters.
Know What Your Truck Is Covered For
Tell us about your trucks and trailers. We will put the value, deductible and price in writing so you can decide with the facts in front of you.