Are Trucking Companies Required To Carry Insurance in Houston
Are trucking companies required to carry insurance in Houston? Knowing the answer to this question is vital if you are involved in an accident with one of these large trucks. If you collide with a commercial vehicle, its sheer size and weight could result in serious injuries.
Our qualified personal injury attorneys could explain whether trucking companies are required to carry insurance, and we are here to help. Keep reading to learn how you could recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repairs when you are involved in a wreck with a trucker.
Are Truckers Required To Have Insurance?
Trucking companies that operate in Houston are legally required to carry commercial liability insurance. This type of policy covers bodily injury and property damage to others. State and federal regulators strictly enforce minimum coverage limits, depending on the trucks’ routes and cargo.
What Are the Liability Limits for Interstate Carriers?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates commercial vehicles engaged in interstate commerce and establishes minimum insurance requirements that trucking companies in Houston must also meet. The agency typically requires minimum liability limits based on the hazard level of the commodities transported. For example, trucks hauling non-hazardous freight weighing more than 10,001 pounds generally must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage. For-hire carriers transporting oil typically must carry at least $1 million, while trucks hauling hazardous materials or explosives are generally required to carry $5 million in liability coverage.
Are Policy Requirements Different for Intrastate Carriers?
Carriers operating trucks in Houston must maintain evidence of insurance with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). The minimum liability requirement for vehicles under 26,000 pounds is $300,000. Trucks operating over that weight threshold must maintain $500,000 in minimum liability coverage.
What Are the Limits for Cargo Insurance?
The TxDMV also mandates motor carriers transporting household goods in Houston to maintain evidence of cargo insurance. In addition to the minimum liability requirements by weight, these truckers must carry $5,000 (or more) in cargo insurance.
Talk to Our Houston Attorneys About Trucking Insurance Requirements
Even if you drive carefully, you could be involved in a collision with a large truck. Understanding the answer to the question, “Are trucking companies required to carry insurance in Houston?” could help you pursue the best possible outcome.
At KGS Law PLLC, our personal injury attorneys understand the statewide insurance requirements, so you do not have to. If you or a loved one was injured in a wreck with a semi, dump truck, or other commercial vehicle, schedule your free consultation with our team today to discuss your options.