Non-Trucking Liability Insurance in Massachusetts

WHAT IS IT? WHO NEEDS IT? COVERAGES OFFERED

Non-trucking liability insurance is specialized commercial truck insurance for when driers use trucks outside of official work. Coverage may protect when drivers operate trucks for personal use.

Massachusetts businesses should consider non-trucking liability if their trucks are ever driven for non-work use. Coverage is often purchased by owner-operators, and other businesses may need it.

Personal Injury Protection
Medical Payments Coverage
Third-Party Bodily Injury Coverage
Property Damage Liability Coverage
Underinsured/ Uninsured Motorist Coverage

What is non-trucking liability insurance?

Truck operators don’t only need coverage when their drivers are dispatched, but often also during non-duty operation. Non-trucking liability insurance can provide Massachusetts truck operators with protection for non-duty operation.

Non-trucking liability insurance is specialized commercial truck insurance for when driers use trucks outside of official work. Coverage may protect when drivers operate trucks for personal use.

Personal use might include driving trucks to/from their house, stopping to run errands on the way home, pulling over for lunch with a family member, and similar situations. The exact activities that are considered personal use depend on a policy’s terms and conditions.

What Massachusetts businesses need non-trucking liability coverage?

Massachusetts businesses should consider non-trucking liability if their trucks are ever driven for non-work use. Coverage is often purchased by owner-operators, and other businesses may need it.

In many situations where drivers use trucks personally, coverage may be required per state law. Massachusetts law stipulates that most vehicles driven on public roads must be insured with minimum liability coverages. Without non-trucking liability coverage, trucks might not have that coverage when they’re driven outside of work responsibilities.

Moreover, businesses might need coverage for any type of commercially registered truck. While it’s frequently purchased for non-dispatched driving of tractor-trailers, coverage is also available for other types of trucks. Tow trucks, cargo vans, straight trucks and other equipment may be insured with this coverage.

Businesses that are unsure whether they need non-trucking liability coverage should speak with a specialized insurance agent. A specialized agent will be able to make an informed recommendation as to whether coverage is appropriate, and they can suggest a good policy if coverage indeed is needed.

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What coverages are included within non-trucking liability policies?

Non-trucking liability policies are normally composed of several distinct sub-coverages. These can include protections such as:

Personal Injury Protection, which might cover injuries that the driver and any passengers sustain
Medical Payments Coverage, which might cover medical costs associated with the driver’s and passenger's injuries
Third-Party Bodily Injury Coverage, which might cover injuries to people other than the driver
Property Damage Liability Coverage, which might cover damage to other vehicles and property
Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage, which might cover accidents with inadequately insured drivers

When these sub-coverages are specifically part of a non-trucking liability policy, they’re usually limited to only when the truck is being driven for non-work reasons. The same sub-coverages are generally available through other policies for when trucks are being used during work.

Do non-trucking liability policies cover damage that trucks sustain?

Non-trucking liability policies normally provide only liability coverage. These policies can help with attorney fees, court fees and settlements that arise from covered claims.

Coverage for truck damage normally isn’t included. Additional coverage is usually needed to protect against truck damage.

How are bobtail policies and non-trucking liability policies different?

While both non-trucking liability policies and bobtail policies provide liability protections while a truck is driven, their protections normally are effective during different times:

Non-trucking policies generally cover when trucks are driven for non-work (personal) use. Additionally, some policies might cover any attached trailer.
Bobtail policies generally cover when trucks are driven for work use. These policies normally don’t extend coverage to a trailer, and might exclude coverage entirely when a trailer is attached.

Can non-trucking liability policies be transferred when changing truck leases?

Most non-trucking liability policies can be directly transferred between leases, but the process should be carefully done. A knowledgeable insurance agent can assist with this process.

How can businesses get non-trucking liability insurance?

For help finding non-trucking liability insurance, contact the independent insurance agents at Paul T. Murphy Insurance. Our Massachusetts agents will help make sure your trucks are well-protected with non-trucking liability, and any other coverages that might be needed.

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This material is for informational purposes only. All statements herein are subject to the provisions, exclusions and conditions of the applicable policy, state and federal laws. For an actual description of coverage, terms and conditions, please refer to the applicable insurance policy or check with your insurance professional. The illustrations, instructions and principles contained in the material are general in scope and, to the best of our knowledge, current at the time of publication.