Trailer liability insurance question

[LBrown59]

. If someone STEALS your truck and trailer and gets in an accident...a good attorney will sue you, WHY?...Because you have insurance...

But you don't have insurance in that case.

 

[LoneCowboy]

In colorado (insurance is very state specific, YMMV), if it's your private trailer, it needs no insurance, it goes with the truck. (since clearly it can't operate on it's own). However, if you want collision/comprehensive, that's seperate (although pretty cheap).

BUT

If you use it commercially.
a. You need a commercial policy for your truck. (and it's about twice what a non-commercial policy is).
b. You need a commercial policy for your trailer (about $100, m/l)

If you want to cover whatever you are hauling (tractor), you need yet another policy. (Inland Marine is the common one), it's like $7/$1000 covered/year, not bad)

Now, that you are using your vehicle commercially, you need to follow commercial vehicle rules. (even if you are under 26,000lbs).
Name and phone number on door. Some states require US DOT numbers (some only when you go over 26,000lbs and some only when you go inter-state, check US DOT website).
US DOT annual inspections on both truck and trailer.
You are subject to mobile DOT checkpoints (and in some states scales, although not here if under 26,000lbs) You need a fire extinguisher (10:b:c), safety triangles, extra fuses)

If it's just one job, just do it for free, then it's not commercial and you are subject to none of this. If you want to charge, you better charge properly to recover ALL of your costs.

Oh, you'll need liability insurance for your business too (whatever you are doing, excavating/mowing/whatever). Some states you also need workman's comp.

 

[LoneCowboy]

In response to your 2nd question.
If you are not commercial, insurance follows the car, not the trailer, not the driver (in Colorado anyway, YMMV), therefore if they are using their tow vehicle, then it's their liability insurance, although if they wreck the trailer, it's your comprehensive insurance that replaces it (and subrogates their insurance to pay for it)

If you are commercial, then YOUR policies follow it, along with YOUR rules. (i.e. THEY are now driving a commercial vehicle).

 

[john_bud]

In colorado (insurance is very state specific, YMMV), if it's your private trailer, it needs no insurance, it goes with the truck. (since clearly it can't operate on it's own). However, if you want collision/comprehensive, that's seperate (although pretty cheap).

BUT

If you use it commercially.
a. You need a commercial policy for your truck. (and it's about twice what a non-commercial policy is).
b. You need a commercial policy for your trailer (about $100, m/l)

If you want to cover whatever you are hauling (tractor), you need yet another policy. (Inland Marine is the common one), it's like $7/$1000 covered/year, not bad)

Now, that you are using your vehicle commercially, you need to follow commercial vehicle rules. (even if you are under 26,000lbs).
Name and phone number on door. Some states require US DOT numbers (some only when you go over 26,000lbs and some only when you go inter-state, check US DOT website).
US DOT annual inspections on both truck and trailer.
You are subject to mobile DOT checkpoints (and in some states scales, although not here if under 26,000lbs) You need a fire extinguisher (10:b:c), safety triangles, extra fuses)

If it's just one job, just do it for free, then it's not commercial and you are subject to none of this. If you want to charge, you better charge properly to recover ALL of your costs.

Oh, you'll need liability insurance for your business too (whatever you are doing, excavating/mowing/whatever). Some states you also need workman's comp.

You're absolutely correct on the commercial stuff! PITA

FEDERAL Statutes apply when you cross state lines and FEDERAL statutes say that you MUST have USDOT numbers if the truck, trailer and load is 10,001 pounds or more. Some states (mine) also have adopted the 10,001 pound limit for in state use. I think it's more a push from the unions than anything else, but it has turned into a money machine aimed at non-city dwellers.

 

[coobie]

Ok, so long story short, I have a dump trailer that I use quite a bit (and every blue moon for hauling the tractor). I know I am covered by my truck liability policy when towing and I do have a separate policy on the trailer in case of damage, theft, etc.

Now, I have two questions, neither of which my insurance agent has answered very clearly (am thinking she doesn't really know just yet).

1. If I decide to do a For Hire job (basically changing from personal to commercial for a specific "job"), are normal personal auto insurance policies still applicable? In other words, I don't want to find out I don't have valid insurance if I decided to do some commercial work.

2. What if I loaned out the trailer to a family member or friend? I understand the liability insurance is associated with the tow vehicle, but what if there was an accident and the policy limits were exceeded (say the injured party sues for more than the coverage amount). Is there any way at all I am liable because I own the trailer? I know, I am probably going to have to ask an attorney on this one.

I know there is a religious debate on whether to loan a trailer or not, so I don't want to rehash that out here. Just wanting to know if I DO loan it out, am I going to be putting my ASSets on the line?

Thanks all!

I live in Michigan and this is what my insurance agent told me.My trailer towed behind my truck non-commerical is only covered for $500 replacment value if wrecked.My 2 trailers cost $2000 and $3300 dollars new so I took out a seperate writer for $22 bucks per trailer for 12 months coverage for full replacment value.coobie