Box Truck Insurance

Being a box truck owner can be a risky job at times. When a delivery box truck flipped over on the MD-140 in 2016, one person was airlifted to Shock Trauma. A tractor-trailer and a box truck collided along Interstate 95 in Jessup, MD, and both drivers were injured and hospitalized in another accident. In 2020, a teen bicyclist died after he got hit by a box truck.

These are just some reasons why truck and van clients consistently send their friends to us for their van and truck insurance. They know they need the best commercial truck insurance because of the nature of their job, and we work hard to get their box trucks the best coverage possible.

If you have acquired a commercial box truck, you will want to make the most out of your purchase. Here’s what you need to know about box truck insurance, and whether your business needs it.

What is a Box Truck?

A box truck is a commercial vehicle with a separated cargo and cab area. The distinctive name of this truck originates from the fact that the cargo area of the truck is shaped like a box. 

Commercial box trucks are adaptable vehicles that can easily haul cargo of any type. Business owners across industries value box trucks for their protected cargo space and their powerful engines. 

Another distinctive feature of a box truck is the cargo area door — every standard box truck has a rear roll-up door. However, you might also see box trucks that have side doors or even rear-hinged doors. 

Types of Box Trucks

The main difference between a box truck and a delivery or a step van is that you can access the cargo box of a box truck only through the rear or side doors rather than from the cab.

Other trucks that fall into the box truck category include:

• Cube vans
• Cube trucks
• Straight trucks
• Dry vans
• Dry freight
• Medium-duty vans

What is Box Truck Insurance?

Box Truck Insurance cost is a package of specialized auto policies to insure the risks of owning and operating a box truck or van. The insurance is tailored to cover businesses like moving trucks and haulers and protect the truck, the driver, and the cargo.

What Does Box Truck Insurance Cover?

Liability Insurance

Liability insurance is the most common state-required auto insurance. The policy consists of two types of coverage:

• Bodily injury: Covers costs related to injuries suffered by others as a result of an accident caused by you or your employees. 
• Property damage: Covers costs related to damages to other people’s property in an accident caused by you or your employees. 

Cargo Insurance

Covers you in case your cargo is damaged during transportation. 

Collision Insurance

Covers repair or replacement of your box truck if it gets damaged in an accident. 

Comprehensive Insurance

Pays for repair or replacement of your box truck if it’s damaged in fire, theft, or gets vandalized. 

Non-Trucking Liability

This is a particularly useful policy if you are a for-hire driver because it covers liability-related costs if you cause an accident in your box truck while you are not on dispatch. 

Commercial box truck insurance usually doesn’t cover personal items. For example, if you leave the truck, your policy may not cover the theft or damage of any property. Also, box truck insurance doesn’t cover intentional damage. 

How Much Does Box Truck Insurance Cost?

On average, box truck businesses that own a single box truck and that have been in business for at least three years without a reported accident will pay between $3,000 and $5,000 a year. New box truck businesses can expect to pay a bit more.

What Affects My Box Truck Insurance Cost?

The cost of box truck insurance depends on many variables, including:

• The coverages you choose
• The worth of your vehicles
• Your employees’ driving records
• Location
• Your area of operation
• The size and age of your business

How to Lower the Cost of Box Truck Insurance

Some of the ways to get cheap box truck insurance rates are:

• Better driving history: Insurance companies offer cheaper premiums to businesses with clean driving records.
• Bundle package: Instead of buying all liabilities separately, it is cheaper to bundle all of them in one insurance package.
• Yearly plans: Box truck businesses that pay their insurance once a year instead of every month can reduce their premium overall from 10% to 20%.
• Shop around: The easiest way to get a lower premium is to shop for policy packages from different insurance companies and compare the premiums. 

Do I Need Box Truck Insurance?

Box trucks are the real heroes of the transportation industry. However, in today’s crowded roadways and with distracted drivers, box truck business can be dangerous for truckers and business owners. 

When your box truck is your entire business, you need to do everything you can to mitigate the risks in case there is a serious issue. There are many types of businesses that haul goods that require box truck or straight truck insurance. 

Here are some of the most common types of businesses we insure that require box truck insurance:

• Junk Removal
• Furniture Delivery
• Pallet Delivery
• Small Apartment Movers
• Small Office Movers
• Moving Services
• Small Truck Store
• Retail Delivery

Box Truck Insurance Requirements

All states require box truck insurance, and each state has its own minimum requirements for liability coverage. Depending on the state, you could be required to include:

• Cargo insurance
• General liability insurance
• Bodily injury policy
• Physical damage
• Medical payments
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance

Are you still confused about box truck insurance, or do you need some help getting a quote for your business? Contact us today and get all the information you need fast and for free!