California Truck Insurance

California Commercial Truck Insurance

Understanding California Commercial Trucking Insurance Coverages

• Auto Liability

  When you’re hauling a semi-truck through California, auto liability coverage is the cornerstone of your California commercial trucking insurance, keeping you protected if you cause an accident. It covers injuries or property damage you’re responsible for, so you’re not stuck with massive bills that could derail your business. For example, if you’re driving through Riverside and accidentally rear-end a car, this coverage pays for the other driver’s medical bills and vehicle repairs. Or if you clip a storefront in Stockton, it handles the cost to fix the damage. In California, auto liability coverage is required for commercial vehicles like 18-wheelers, with minimum limits of $750,000 for most interstate hauls over 10,001 pounds, as set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). But with the high cost of accidents, we recommend $1 million or more to safeguard your finances, especially on busy California roads. Without enough coverage, a single crash could lead to lawsuits or repair costs—think $50,000 for a totaled car or millions if someone’s seriously hurt—that could wipe you out financially! Even for intrastate hauls, California’s Department of Motor Vehicles requires proof of liability to keep you legal. We know how tough it is to navigate these rules while keeping your rig on the road, so we push for coverage that fits your routes and loads. We make it easy to get auto liability coverage that works for your semi-truck, whether you’re running loads down the 5 or crossing state lines. Our team at The Insurance Store ensures your policy keeps you compliant and covered, so you can focus on driving without sweating the what-ifs.

• Physical Damage

  Driving an 18-wheeler across California’s freeways is your livelihood, and physical damage coverage is a must-have piece of your California commercial trucking insurance to keep your rig in the game. It covers the cost to fix or replace your truck when it gets hit by accidents, theft, vandalism, or nature’s curveballs, saving you from shelling out for costly repairs. Say you’re rolling through Oxnard and skid into a ditch, crumpling your front end—this coverage pays to get your rig back on the road, no matter who’s to blame. Or if a storm in Salinas trashes your cab with flying debris or thieves in Visalia swipe your truck, it’s got you covered. While California law doesn’t mandate physical damage coverage for commercial trucks, even for interstate runs, lenders or leasing companies usually insist on it to protect their stake in your rig. Going without it means you’re on the hook for fixes that could cost thousands—$20,000 for a smashed axle or $150,000 if your truck’s totaled—which can stop your business cold. We at The Insurance Store know your truck is your lifeline, so we push hard for this coverage to dodge those financial gut-punches. Your policy needs to match your truck’s value, whether it’s a $50,000 workhorse or a pricier custom job. Getting the right physical damage coverage for your hauls is straightforward with us, whether you’re navigating Santa Clara or driving out of state. Our team at The Insurance Store makes sure your rig’s protected, so you can keep trucking without sweating the cost of a wreck or theft.

• Motor Truck Cargo

  Every mile you drive your commercial truck in California is a chance to deliver, but when cargo takes a hit, motor truck cargo coverage is the piece of your California trucking insurance package that saves your skin. It pays for non-refrigerated freight that’s wrecked or stolen—think accidents, break-ins, or freak storms—so you’re not left handing over cash to a shipper for their ruined goods. Picture hauling a load of steel beams through Fontana, and a jackknifed trailer crushes them; this coverage sorts out the replacement costs. Or say you’re parked in Pomona when someone swipes a shipment of computer monitors, or a dust storm in Lancaster tears into a load of patio furniture—it’s handled. The state doesn’t force you to carry this coverage, but good luck getting a contract without it; shippers know a trashed load can cost $50,000 or more, and they won’t risk it. Without coverage, that’s your bank account taking the hit, and it could stop your business dead. We at The Insurance Store get how much you hustle to keep those loads safe, so we recommend $100,000 minimum for everyday general freight like clothing or hardware, and $250,000 for pricier cargo like tech gear or heavy equipment to lock in full protection. Setting up the right policy for your hauls is easy with us, whether you’re driving through Glendale or beyond state lines. The TIS team makes sure your coverage lines up with your cargo’s value, letting you roll easy knowing your freight’s secure.

• Reefer Breakdown

  Keeping your refrigerated freight fresh while hauling an 18-wheeler through California is a big job, and reefer breakdown coverage is a key piece of your California trucking insurance to protect your cargo when your cooling unit fails. This coverage pays for the loss of perishable goods—like meat, dairy, or pharmaceuticals—if your refrigeration system breaks down due to mechanical issues, so you’re not stuck covering the cost of a spoiled load. For example, if your reefer’s compressor dies on a run through San Bernardino and a shipment of frozen fish goes bad, this coverage handles the replacement cost. Or if a thermostat glitch in Modesto ruins a load of fresh vegetables, you’re covered. Unlike motor truck cargo coverage, which deals with damage from wrecks, theft, or weather, reefer breakdown coverage zeroes in on losses caused by your reefer unit’s mechanical failures, such as busted fans or power faults. California doesn’t require this coverage by law, but shippers hauling perishables often demand it, knowing a single bad load—say, $40,000 worth of medicine—can hit hard without it. Our team here at TIS knows how much you rely on your reefer to deliver, so we recommend this coverage to dodge those costly surprises. We make it simple to get a policy that fits your refrigerated cargo needs, whether you’re driving through Riverside or out of state. Our team at The Insurance Store ensures your coverage matches your cargo’s needs, so you can keep your loads cold and your business running smooth.

• Trailer Interchange

  If you’re hauling a semi-truck through California under trailer interchange agreements, those borrowed trailers are your lifeline, and trailer interchange coverage is a must-have piece of your California commercial trucking insurance to keep them safe. It covers damage to or loss of a non-owned trailer you’re pulling under a written contract, so you don’t get stuck with repair or replacement bills when things go wrong. Say you’re moving freight through Glendale and a sideswipe dents up a shipper’s trailer—this coverage pays to fix it. Or if a trailer catches fire in Fontana or gets swiped while parked in Salinas, you’re covered for the loss. California doesn’t require this coverage by law, but shippers, brokers, or terminals often won’t let you haul their trailers without it, wanting their gear protected while it’s in your hands. Without it, you could be out thousands—$25,000 for a beat-up flatbed or more for a fancy one—which can hurt your business bad. We at The Insurance Store know how much you lean on those agreements to keep loads moving, so we push for this coverage to dodge those costly hits. Your policy needs to match the trailer’s value, enough to handle fixes or a full replacement. We make it no hassle to get trailer interchange coverage that fits your contracts, whether you’re running through Corona or out of state. The TIS team sets you up right, so you can haul without worrying about someone else’s trailer.

• Non-Trucking Liability

  When you’re driving your semi-truck in California for personal errands or downtime, non-trucking liability coverage is a crucial piece of your California trucking insurance to keep you protected. Often called bobtail or deadhead coverage, it pays for injuries or property damage you cause in an accident when you’re not hauling a load or under dispatch—like heading to the store or cruising home after a job. Say you’re rolling through Fontana without a trailer and bump a car, tweaking its bumper—this coverage handles the other driver’s repairs and any medical bills. Or if you clip a mailbox in Glendale while driving to a mechanic off-duty, it covers the damage. California doesn’t require this coverage by law, but if you’re leased to a motor carrier, most insist on it—typically with a $1 million limit—to cover you when you’re not working for them. Without it, you’re looking at paying out of pocket for claims that could hit $15,000 for a smashed vehicle or way more if someone’s hurt, which can drain your savings fast. We at The Insurance Store know truckers don’t clock out when they step away from a load, so we recommend this coverage to avoid those unexpected hits. We make it straightforward to get a policy that fits your off-duty drives, whether you’re in Salinas or out of state. The TIS team ensures you’re set up to stay safe, letting you use your rig worry-free when you’re off the job.

• Excess Liability

  Hauling freight across California in your commercial truck puts you at risk for big accidents, and excess liability coverage, often called umbrella liability, is a key piece of your California trucking insurance to give you extra protection when claims get huge. This coverage kicks in when the costs of injuries or property damage you cause in an accident go beyond your primary auto liability policy’s limits, acting like a safety net to cover the overflow so you’re not stuck paying out of pocket. For example, say you’re driving through Santa Ana and cause a chain-reaction crash that racks up $1.8 million in medical bills and car repairs, but your primary liability only covers $1 million—excess liability picks up the extra $800,000. Or if you smash into a warehouse in Huntington Beach, racking up $2 million in structural damage, this coverage steps in after your primary policy maxes out. It works by layering on top of your existing liability, only triggering when a claim exceeds what your main policy can handle, potentially saving you from financial ruin. California doesn’t require excess liability by law, but with the state’s busy roads and high lawsuit costs, one bad wreck could lead to bills—$500,000 or more—that your primary coverage can’t touch. We at The Insurance Store know how quickly accident costs can spiral, so we push for this coverage to keep your business safe. Limits typically start at $1 million and can climb to $5 million or higher, depending on your freight and contracts. We make it simple to get excess liability coverage that fits your runs, whether you’re hauling in Moreno Valley or out of state. The TIS team sets you up with a policy that adds peace of mind, so you can roll without worrying about a worst-case scenario wiping you out.

• Workers Compensation

  Running a semi-truck in California is hard work, and workers compensation coverage is a vital piece of your California commercial trucking insurance to protect you or your drivers if a job-related injury hits. In California, state law requires every employer—even small trucking outfits with just one driver—to carry workers comp, covering medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation, and sometimes death benefits for injuries or illnesses tied to work, like a bad fall or repetitive strain from loading. Say you’re strapping down freight in Torrance and wrench your shoulder—this coverage pays for your MRI and part of your income while you’re laid up. Or if a driver slips on a slick dock in Pasadena, it handles surgery costs and missed paychecks. For truckers, it’s a lifeline because the job’s physical—lifting heavy cargo, climbing cabs, or dodging road hazards can lead to sprains, fractures, or worse. Without it, you’re on the hook for thousands—$25,000 for a broken leg or more—plus California can fine you or stop your business for non-compliance, and injured drivers could sue, piling on legal costs. Owner-operators aren’t forced to cover themselves but can opt in for protection, and we at The Insurance Store strongly suggest it, knowing one injury could bench you for months. Benefits typically include full medical care, about two-thirds of your wages (capped at state limits, around $1,540/week in 2025), and retraining if you can’t drive anymore. We make it no hassle to get a policy that fits your trucking setup, whether you’re hauling through Escondido or out of state. The TIS team locks in coverage to keep you legal and secure, so you can focus on the road without worrying about an injury’s fallout.

• Occupational Accident

  If you’re an independent owner-operator hauling freight in your commercial truck across California, occupational accident coverage—often called Occ Acc—is a vital piece of your California trucking insurance to cover you if you get banged up on the job. It pays for medical bills, lost wages, and sometimes disability or death benefits for work-related injuries, giving you a financial cushion without the full weight of workers compensation. For example, say you’re hooking up a trailer in Torrance and a loose chain smacks your leg, leaving you with a limp—this coverage handles your doctor visits and some of your income while you’re off. Or if you tweak your back lifting cargo in Pasadena, it covers hospital costs and downtime. Occ Acc is tailored for solo truckers who don’t have employees and aren’t covered by a company’s workers comp, offering a cheaper, less complex option with benefits like 60-70% wage replacement (up to a policy cap) and medical care, though it’s not as comprehensive as workers comp’s long-term protections. California doesn’t require it, but going without could mean shelling out thousands—$10,000 for a sprained wrist or more—for treatment or lost work, which can stall your business fast. We at The Insurance Store know the grind of running solo, so we recommend this coverage to keep you from getting sidelined. We make it no hassle to get a policy that fits your hauls, whether you’re running through Escondido or out of state. The TIS team sets you up with coverage that’s got your back, so you can keep rolling without fretting over an injury’s cost.

• General Liability

  Running a semi-truck business in California means more than just driving, and general liability coverage is a key part of your California trucking insurance to shield your operation from risks that happen off the road. It covers injuries or property damage your business causes to others during non-driving tasks—like at your yard, office, or during loading—so you’re not hit with lawsuits or big bills. Say a client slips on a slick spot at your terminal in Sunnyvale and needs a cast—this coverage pays for their medical care. Or if you’re unloading in Costa Mesa and your gear dents a warehouse door, it handles the repair costs. California doesn’t require general liability for trucking companies by law, but shippers, brokers, or warehouses often demand it before signing contracts, wanting their people and property protected. Going without it could leave you paying thousands out of pocket—$12,000 for a broken gate or way more if someone’s seriously hurt—which can sink your business quick. We at The Insurance Store know the unexpected headaches trucking brings, so we push for this coverage to keep you safe. Policies typically start at $1 million per incident, but higher limits might be needed for bigger contracts. We make it no sweat to get general liability coverage that fits your commercial trucking setup, whether you’re based in Thousand Oaks or hauling out of state. The TIS team crafts a policy to tackle your business’s unique risks, letting you focus on moving freight without worrying about what could go wrong on the ground.

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Here is what Our Happy Customers have to say

Lisamarie was fantastic. I was under the gun getting my commercial truck insurance and she was able to get me a great policy with time to spare. She answered all of my questions, regardless of how dumb, quickly and professionally. I will continue to work with Lisamarie as my trucking business grows. If she ever decides to leave The Insurance Store I will more than likely take my business with her.

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My first year in business has been a roller coaster but I am apart of an trucking community where we discuss industry news, updates and share resources. With that being said my insurance has been the biggest expense of my new business and during one our calls someone mentioned Mohave Insurance program so of course as I keep striving to improve overhead and shrinkage in my business I reached out and Kelli Clerisse answered my inquiry and shall we say the rest is history. My previous insurance coverage was coming to an end and the quote I received from The Insurance Store and I couldn't believe my eyes the down payment for 2 trucks was lower than it was for my first truck and the monthly payment the same lower and did I say on TWO TRUCKS!!! they are a game and I recommend TIS for all industry newbies!!!!!

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