Do 18 wheeler drivers and companieshave to have insurance, and if so, is there a minimum amountthat it has to be?

A: Almost any 18 wheeler driving on our public roads must have insurance.  The insurance is called "liability insurance."  This means that if the 18 wheeler driver causes an accident and injuries, there is supposed to be insurance that will cover this. 

If there is insurance, the insurance company will hire lawyers to represent the truck driver and the 18 wheeler company.  If there is a settlement or verdict, the insurance has to pay it.  But the insurance only has to pay up to a certain amount.  This amount is usually called the "insurance limits."  If the settlement or verdict is for an amount equal to or less than the insurance limits, then the insurance company pays the entire amount.  If, however, there is a verdict for any amount that is more than the insurance limits, then usually (but not always) the insurance company only has to pay up to the amount of the insurance limits. 

If the truck driver and trucking company do business in more than one state, then they are called "interstate" (because they cross state lines in their trucking business).  If the company and driver are interstate, they must follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, which are government regulations that apply to 18 wheeler companies.  These regulations require the 18 wheeler drivers and companies to have a minimum amount of insurance.  For most trucking companies, the minimum required insurance is $750,000.  However, there are even higher required limits.  For example, if a trucking company hauls hazardous materials, it must have even higher amounts of insurance. 

If the trucking company is not interstate (meaning it does business only in its home state), then it must abide by the trucking rules of its home state.  For example, here in Texas, the trucking company must abide by the Texas Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.  The state regulations also have requirements for certain minimum amounts of insurance.

Most trucking companies and drivers on our roadways have at least $1 million in insurance, regardless of the requirements of the regulations.

If you have any questions about trucking company insurance requirements or similar issues, please do not hesitate to contact us.