Fleet owners know that their teams are a main artery of the American supply chain—they are critical to delivering various types of goods and supplies. And, even during the coronavirus pandemic, drivers have been instructed to keep right on trucking. In fact, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has recently issued an emergency declaration that provides some commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers an immediate waiver from the agency’s hours-of-service (HOS) regulations.

FMCSA Provides HOS Relief in Coronavirus Response Measures
CMV drivers who are providing direct assistance in support of emergency relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreak will receive an immediate waiver from HOS regulations. According to the FMCSA’s emergency declaration, “direct assistance” includes (but is not limited to) efforts to meet immediate needs for:

  • Medical supplies and equipment, personnel and patients;
  • Supplies and equipment needed for community safety (includes masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants);
  • Equipment and supplies to set up and manage temporary housing, quarantine and isolation facilities;
  • Fuel; and
  • Food, paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores.

An increase in demand for critical goods likely means more time on the road for drivers—and, in turn, more potential risk for your employees. As today’s drivers navigate unprecedented territory, it’s now more important than ever to have the right mix of fleet truck insurance.

Required Commercial Fleet Insurance
By law, all fleet vehicles are required to carry commercial fleet insurance with liability coverage, which generally encompasses:

  • Bodily injury liability: If your business is at fault for an accident, this coverage pays for death or injury associated with the accident as well as the costs of your legal defense.

  • Property damage liability: If one of your drivers damages another person’s private property, this type of liability insurance covers those costs.

  • Workers’ Compensation Insurance: In addition, all employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. If employee drivers get sick making deliveries during the outbreak or are injured for any other reason in the “course and scope” of performing their job, this statutory coverage pays for the employees’ medical expenses, lost wages and rehabilitation costs.

Added Protection for Fleet Owners
Protect your employees, your fleet and yourself by carrying the right mix of additional coverages, which could include:

  • Physical Damage: If one of your trucks is damaged in a collision or another type of accident such as a falling tree branch, this coverage pays for the costs to repair the damage.

  • Motor Truck Cargo: If a load is stolen or destroyed, this coverage pays for the associated loss or damages.

Please note that the items outlined above are just a starting point. Connect with Acrisure’s Agency Partners experienced in these areas to help customize a commercial fleet trucking insurance program based on the size of your fleet and your company’s specific needs.

Acrisure is the marketing name of the national group of agencies offering insurance and risk management expertise through Acrisure, LLC and its affiliates. For additional information, please visit our website at https://acrisurestage.wpengine.com. Products or services identified herein may not be available in all jurisdictions. The information and descriptions contained herein (a) are not necessarily intended to be complete descriptions of all applicable terms, conditions, and exclusions of the policies referenced, (b) are provided solely for general informational purposes, and (c) should not be viewed as a substitute for legal, regulatory, or other advice on any particular issue or for any particular reason. The advice of a professional should always be obtained before purchasing any insurance product or service, and you should not rely on the information provided herein for the prevention or mitigation of risks or as a full and complete explanation of coverage under any insurance policy. While the information contained herein has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, no warranty, guarantee, or representation, either expressed or implied, is made as to the correctness or sufficiency of any representation contained herein.