How to File a Commercial Trucking Insurance Claim
A complete step-by-step guide for owner-operators and carriers on filing liability, physical damage and cargo claims – and protecting your rights throughout the process
OLPolicy | (866) 757-5350 | Last Updated: 2024 | Reading Time: ~20 min
| Key Takeaways
• Filing a commercial trucking insurance claim correctly from the first hours after an incident has a direct impact on how quickly and how fully you are compensated. • There are four main claim types in commercial trucking: liability, physical damage, cargo and occupational accident – each follows a distinct process. • The actions you take – and avoid – at the scene of an accident can significantly affect your claim outcome and your future insurance rates. • Documentation is the foundation of every successful claim: photos, driver statements, police reports, bills of lading and maintenance records all matter. • A single at-fault claim can raise your renewal premium by 15 to 35 percent – understanding when to file and when to pay out of pocket protects your long-term rates. • If your claim is denied or underpaid, you have formal appeal rights and options including independent appraisal and state insurance department complaints. • OLPolicy helps policyholders navigate the claims process and advocates on their behalf when disputes arise. Call (866) 757-5350 for support. |
No one wants to think about filing an insurance claim. But in commercial trucking, accidents, cargo losses and vehicle damage are operational realities that every carrier will face at some point. When an incident occurs, the decisions you make in the first minutes, hours and days afterward determine how smoothly your claim is handled, how quickly you are back on the road and whether you receive the full compensation your policy entitles you to.
Commercial trucking insurance claims are significantly more complex than personal auto claims. They involve federal accident reporting requirements, specialized cargo liability analysis, multi-party disputes between carriers, shippers and brokers and a claims process that moves much more deliberately than most operators expect. Approaching that process unprepared – without documentation, without understanding your rights and without a clear picture of the steps involved – almost always results in delays, disputes and in some cases, materially lower settlements.
This guide walks through every aspect of filing a commercial trucking insurance claim: what to do at the scene, how to document the incident, the step-by-step filing process for each claim type, how claims are investigated and valued, what to do if a claim is denied and how to protect your insurance rates over the long term. For claims support or to discuss coverage questions at any point, OLPolicy‘s specialists are available at (866) 757-5350.
The best time to prepare for a commercial trucking insurance claim is before any incident occurs. Operators who have specific information and documentation systems in place recover faster, file more complete claims and receive better outcomes than those who are starting from scratch in the aftermath of a stressful event.
Every commercial truck driver and fleet manager should be familiar with the following information before any incident occurs:
| Keep a Claims Information Card in Every Cab
Create a laminated card or phone note for each truck with: insurer name, claims phone number, policy number and broker contact. Drivers who are involved in an accident are under stress and may not remember where to find policy information. Having it immediately accessible in the cab eliminates that problem. |
Regular pre-trip and post-trip inspection documentation is not just a federal compliance requirement – it is claims protection. Dated inspection reports showing your truck was in proper mechanical condition before an incident are powerful evidence against claims that attempt to attribute an accident to equipment failure or deferred maintenance. Carriers with complete inspection records resolve equipment-related disputes faster and more favorably than those with gaps.
Equally important: maintain a current, dated photographic record of each truck in your fleet. A photo taken the week before an incident showing the truck’s pre-incident condition eliminates arguments about pre-existing damage and establishes a clear baseline for damage assessment.
For cargo claims, the bill of lading is the foundational document. It establishes what you accepted, in what condition, at what declared value and under what terms. Before accepting any load, review the bill of lading carefully. Note any pre-existing damage to the freight or packaging and have it documented on the BOL before you sign. A notation of pre-existing damage at pickup is your protection against cargo claims that attempt to hold you responsible for damage that occurred before the freight was in your possession.
The actions taken at the scene of a commercial trucking accident – and the ones deliberately avoided – have a direct bearing on the outcome of any resulting claim. This section covers both in detail.
Before anything else, ensure the immediate safety of all people involved. Call 911 immediately for any accident involving injuries, a vehicle that cannot be moved safely or a hazardous materials spill. Do not move an injured person unless leaving them in place creates an additional safety risk. Your first legal and moral obligation is to the wellbeing of anyone who may have been harmed – claims come after.
If you are injured yourself, do not refuse medical evaluation at the scene even if you feel fine. Adrenaline frequently masks injury symptoms in the immediate aftermath of an accident. Many serious injuries – particularly soft tissue injuries, concussions and internal injuries – become apparent hours or days after the event. Refusing medical evaluation at the scene creates a record that can be used to dispute the severity of injuries in subsequent claims.
| What NOT to Do at the Scene of an Accident
• Do not admit fault, apologize or make any statement that could be interpreted as an admission of liability – even a casual ‘I’m sorry’ can be used against you. Fault determination is the insurer’s job, not yours. • Do not agree to any settlement, payment arrangement or release of liability at the scene. Any agreement made at the scene without your insurer’s involvement is not binding on your insurer and may actually harm your coverage. • Do not give a recorded statement to another party’s insurer without consulting your own insurer or an attorney first. You are not legally required to give a statement to the other party’s insurer. • Do not post anything about the accident on social media. Photos, comments and location check-ins are all discoverable in litigation and can be taken out of context. • Do not allow your truck to be moved or repaired before your insurer has had the opportunity to inspect it, unless safety requires it. Preserving the evidence of the scene is your responsibility. • Do not destroy, discard or alter any records related to the trip – trip logs, ELD data, fuel receipts or dispatch records. These are legal documents once litigation is possible. |
Not every commercial trucking accident triggers federal reporting requirements, but knowing the threshold matters immediately after an incident. A DOT-reportable accident is one involving:
DOT-reportable accidents must be entered into the carrier’s accident register within 24 hours and retained for three years. They are also recorded in the FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) and feed into the Crash Indicator BASIC of the carrier’s CSA score – the single highest-weighted BASIC in insurance underwriting. Accurate, complete documentation of DOT-reportable accidents is essential both for compliance and for any subsequent dispute about crash preventability.
| Crash Preventability Determination Program
The FMCSA’s Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP) allows carriers to request a review of certain crash types to have them coded as ‘not preventable’ in the SMS. Crashes involving specific scenarios – wrong-way drivers, rear-end strikes where the truck was struck from behind and others – may qualify. A ‘not preventable’ determination does not remove the crash from the record but does reduce its weight in the BASIC score calculation. File CPDP requests promptly – within 60 days of the crash being recorded in the SMS. |
Commercial trucking insurance packages typically include multiple coverage types and each type of claim follows a distinct process with its own documentation requirements, timelines and resolution mechanisms. Understanding which type of claim you are filing before you call your insurer helps you gather the right documentation and set accurate expectations.
A liability claim arises when a third party – another driver, a passenger, a pedestrian or a property owner – suffers bodily injury or property damage as a result of an accident in which your vehicle is at fault (or allegedly at fault). Liability claims are filed against your primary auto liability policy and are the most legally complex type of commercial trucking claim.
In a liability claim, your insurer does several things simultaneously: they investigate the facts of the accident to determine fault, they engage legal defense counsel to represent you, they negotiate with the third party’s attorneys and they ultimately pay any settlement or judgment up to your policy limits. You do not pay the third party directly – your insurer handles all of this on your behalf.
Your role in a liability claim is to cooperate fully with your insurer’s investigation: provide a complete, accurate statement, preserve all trip records and electronic data, make yourself available for interviews and depositions and avoid any independent communications with the third party or their attorneys. Failure to cooperate is a policy violation that can result in coverage denial.
A physical damage claim is filed when your own truck suffers damage – from a collision, rollover, theft, fire, weather event or other covered peril. Unlike a liability claim, a physical damage claim is between you and your insurer only; no third party is directly involved in the claim process (though a third party may ultimately be subrogated for recovery if they caused the damage).
Physical damage claims are typically faster and less complex than liability claims. Your insurer will assign an adjuster to inspect the vehicle, assess the damage and determine whether the truck will be repaired or declared a total loss. If declared a total loss, your settlement is based on the truck’s actual cash value (ACV) at the time of the loss, less your deductible – unless your policy includes stated value or replacement cost provisions.
Your deductible applies to every physical damage claim regardless of fault. If a third party caused the damage, your insurer may subrogate against that party’s insurer to recover the paid amount – including your deductible – but you will typically need to pay the deductible upfront and receive a refund if subrogation is successful.
A cargo claim is filed when freight in your care, custody and control is lost, damaged, stolen or delivered in a condition different from what was documented on the bill of lading. Cargo claims can be complex because they involve multiple parties – the shipper, the receiver, the carrier and sometimes a freight broker – and the liability framework is governed by federal law under the Carmack Amendment for interstate shipments.
Under the Carmack Amendment, a carrier is presumptively liable for cargo damage unless the carrier can demonstrate that the damage was caused by one of five recognized exceptions: act of God, act of a public enemy, act or default of the shipper, inherent vice of the goods or public authority. In practice, most cargo claims are paid without invoking these exceptions, but they are important defenses in disputed claims.
The shipper or receiver typically files the initial cargo claim with the carrier. The carrier then files with their cargo insurer. Cargo claims must be filed within the time limits specified on the bill of lading – typically nine months for filing the claim and two years for bringing a lawsuit. Missing these deadlines can bar recovery entirely.
An occupational accident claim is filed when you – the owner-operator – are injured or killed in a work-related accident. Because owner-operators are generally self-employed and not eligible for workers’ compensation, an occupational accident policy is the primary source of income replacement, medical coverage and death benefits in this situation.
Occupational accident claims require prompt reporting to your insurer, medical documentation from treating physicians and ongoing reporting of your injury status and recovery progress. Temporary total disability benefits – which replace a portion of your income while you are unable to drive – typically have a waiting period of three to seven days before benefits begin. Permanent total disability benefits and death benefits have their own documentation requirements and timelines.
The following process applies to all commercial trucking claim types, with specific variations noted where relevant. Following these steps in order and promptly, produces the best outcomes.
Most commercial trucking policies require you to report incidents promptly – typically within 24 hours for accidents and as soon as practicable for other covered events. Do not wait until you have all documentation assembled before reporting. Call your insurer’s claims line with the basic facts: date, time, location, nature of the incident, parties involved and whether there are injuries or significant damage.
Early reporting does several things in your favor: it preserves your coverage rights under the policy’s reporting requirements, it allows your insurer to begin evidence preservation immediately, it enables your insurer to engage legal defense quickly if needed and it gives the claims adjuster time to inspect vehicles and scene conditions before evidence deteriorates.
| Report Even If You Are Not Sure You Will File
Many operators delay reporting because they are unsure whether the damage will exceed their deductible or whether they want to file a claim at all. Report the incident first – you can always decide not to proceed with the claim after the adjuster’s assessment. Failing to report promptly and then attempting to file later creates a coverage defense for the insurer and complicates the entire process. |
The strength of your claim is directly proportional to the quality and completeness of your documentation. Begin assembling the following immediately after reporting:
Once you have reported the claim, your insurer will assign a claims adjuster. The adjuster’s role is to investigate the incident, assess the damages and determine what your policy covers and how much will be paid. Cooperating fully and promptly with the adjuster is both a policy requirement and a practical necessity for a favorable outcome.
When the adjuster contacts you:
| Your Broker Is an Advocate in This Process
Your insurance broker represents your interests, not the insurer’s. OLPolicy actively supports policyholders during the claims process – from helping you understand what information the adjuster needs, to following up on delayed claims, to advocating on your behalf when disputes arise. Call (866) 757-5350 if you feel the process is stalling or if you have concerns about how your claim is being handled. |
For physical damage claims, your insurer will typically conduct their own inspection and provide a repair estimate. You have the right to obtain your own independent estimates from licensed repair facilities. If there is a significant discrepancy between the insurer’s estimate and the shop’s actual repair cost, the shop can negotiate directly with the insurer – a process called a supplement – to address items not included in the original estimate.
Choose a repair facility with commercial truck experience. A shop that primarily repairs passenger vehicles may lack the expertise, equipment and parts relationships needed for a semi-tractor or specialty commercial vehicle and their estimates may undercount the actual repair scope. Your policy may specify whether you must use a preferred repair network or whether you can choose your own shop – check your declarations page before committing to a facility.
Once the adjuster has completed their investigation, they will present a settlement offer. For physical damage claims, this is typically either a repair authorization or a total loss settlement. For liability claims, the settlement process can take significantly longer – months or even years for serious injury claims – as it involves negotiation with the third party’s attorneys. For cargo claims, settlement is based on the carrier’s liability under the Carmack Amendment and the actual value of the damaged freight.
You are not required to accept the first settlement offer. If you believe the offered amount does not accurately reflect your actual loss, you have the right to negotiate, provide additional documentation supporting a higher value or invoke the appraisal process described in the dispute section below.
Commercial trucking claims – particularly liability claims involving injuries – can take considerable time to resolve. During that period, tracking your claim’s progress is your responsibility. Request regular updates from your adjuster, document all communications with dates and summaries and follow up promptly on any outstanding requests. Claims that stall are often stalled because a piece of documentation has not been provided, a form has not been signed or a communication has not been responded to. Active management of your claim prevents it from falling into inactivity.
| Filing a Claim and Need Support? Call OLPolicy.
OLPolicy’s commercial transportation specialists help policyholders navigate every stage of the claims process – from initial reporting to settlement review. We advocate on your behalf when disputes arise. Call OLPolicy: (866) 757-5350 | Visit: OLPolicy.com |
One of the most common frustrations in commercial trucking claims is unrealistic expectations about how long the process takes. The timeline varies significantly by claim type and complexity. The following benchmarks reflect typical resolution times under normal circumstances.
| Claim Type | Initial Adjuster Contact | Investigation Period | Settlement / Resolution |
| Physical damage – repairable | 1–3 business days | 3–7 days (vehicle inspection) | 2–4 weeks (repair completion) |
| Physical damage – total loss | 1–3 business days | 5–10 days (valuation) | 2–3 weeks (title transfer, payment) |
| Cargo – straightforward loss | 2–5 business days | 1–2 weeks (freight inspection) | 3–6 weeks (documentation complete) |
| Cargo – disputed liability | 2–5 business days | 2–6 weeks (multi-party review) | 2–6 months (negotiation) |
| Liability – property damage only | 1–3 business days | 2–4 weeks | 1–3 months |
| Liability – minor injury | 1–3 business days | 4–8 weeks (medical records) | 3–6 months |
| Liability – serious injury | 1–3 business days | 3–6 months | 6 months – 2+ years |
| Occupational accident – temporary disability | 2–5 business days | 1–2 weeks | Ongoing during disability period |
| Occupational accident – permanent disability | 2–5 business days | 1–3 months | 3‒6 months or longer |
| Why Liability Claims Take So Long
Serious injury liability claims take months or years to resolve because the full extent of injuries – and therefore the full value of the claim – cannot be determined until the injured party reaches maximum medical improvement. Settling prematurely, before the full medical picture is clear, could result in an inadequate settlement. Your insurer’s defense attorneys will manage this timeline strategically to achieve the best possible outcome. |
Cargo claims have unique features that distinguish them from liability and physical damage claims. The multi-party nature of cargo claims – involving the shipper, carrier, receiver, broker and sometimes a third-party logistics provider – and the federal legal framework governing carrier liability make cargo claims worth understanding in detail.
Interstate cargo claims in the United States are governed by the Carmack Amendment (49 U.S.C. 14706), a federal law that establishes the legal framework for carrier liability for cargo loss and damage. Under Carmack, the carrier is presumptively liable for cargo damage unless the carrier can establish one of five recognized defenses: act of God, public enemy, act or fault of the shipper, inherent vice of the goods or public authority.
The presumptive liability standard means that once a shipper demonstrates that cargo was delivered in a damaged or lost condition compared to the condition at pickup (evidenced by the bill of lading), the burden shifts to the carrier to explain why the damage is not their responsibility. This framework makes careful documentation at both pickup and delivery critically important.
Carmack imposes specific filing deadlines for cargo claims that cannot be waived by either party. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar the shipper’s ability to recover – and therefore expose the carrier to a claim that might otherwise have been managed through insurance.
Carriers should be aware of these deadlines in both directions: as potential claimants for damage to their own freight (if operating as a private carrier) and as defendants in claims brought by shippers. Promptly acknowledging receipt of a cargo claim in writing and responding within the required timeframe protects the carrier’s legal position.
Under Carmack, carriers may limit their liability on the bill of lading to a declared value agreed upon with the shipper, provided certain conditions are met. Many carriers include limitation of liability language in their standard terms and conditions. If a shipper has declared a value on the BOL, the carrier’s liability and the cargo insurer’s payment are typically limited to that declared value, even if the actual market value of the freight is higher.
This is a common source of cargo claim disputes: a shipper declares a conservative value on the BOL to reduce freight charges, then expects full market value compensation when a loss occurs. Review the declared value on every bill of lading before accepting the freight and ensure your cargo policy limits are adequate relative to the freight values you regularly handle.
Cargo claims can be denied for several legitimate reasons:
If a cargo claim is denied, request a written denial letter specifying the exact reason. This document is the starting point for any appeal or dispute process. Your broker can review the denial and advise on whether the basis for denial is valid under your policy terms.
Insurance claim denials and inadequate settlement offers are not uncommon in commercial trucking and they are not necessarily final. Understanding your formal rights and the options available to you is essential before accepting an unfavorable outcome.
Request a written denial letter from your insurer that specifies exactly why the claim was denied. Common reasons for denial include:
Each of these denial bases has different implications. Some are clear-cut policy provisions that are difficult to dispute. Others – particularly misrepresentation claims and coverage interpretation disputes – may have legitimate grounds for challenge.
Read the specific policy language your insurer is relying on to deny the claim. Insurance policies are interpreted under legal standards that sometimes favor the policyholder when policy language is ambiguous. If you believe the insurer’s interpretation of the policy language is incorrect, this is the foundation of an appeal. Your broker can assist with this review and an insurance coverage attorney can provide a formal legal opinion if the amount at stake warrants it.
Most insurers have a formal appeal process for disputed claims. Submit a written appeal that:
Document all appeal communications with dates, names of representatives spoken with and summaries of what was discussed. This documentation is important if the dispute escalates to formal proceedings.
Most commercial auto and physical damage policies include an appraisal clause that provides a mechanism for resolving disputes about the amount of a physical damage loss – not whether coverage applies, but how much the insurer owes. The appraisal process works as follows:
The appraisal process is faster and less expensive than litigation and is specifically designed for situations where the amount of the loss is disputed rather than the existence of coverage. If your insurer’s total loss valuation or repair estimate is significantly lower than what you believe is fair, the appraisal clause is your most direct path to a better outcome.
If you believe your insurer has improperly denied a valid claim, engaged in unfair claims practices or failed to comply with state claims handling regulations, you have the right to file a complaint with your state’s Department of Insurance. State insurance departments investigate complaints against insurers and can require an insurer to reconsider a denial or settle a claim that was improperly handled.
Filing a state complaint does not prevent you from also pursuing other remedies and often prompts insurers to take a second, more careful look at disputed claims. The DOI complaint process is free, does not require an attorney and is accessible through your state insurance department’s website.
For large claims – particularly serious injury liability claims, total loss disputes involving high-value equipment or significant cargo claims – consulting with an insurance coverage attorney may be warranted. Coverage attorneys specialize in insurance policy interpretation and bad faith claims and many handle these cases on a contingency basis. The cost of legal consultation is typically justified when the amount in dispute is material and the insurer’s position appears to be inconsistent with the policy language.
Every commercial trucking insurance claim you file has potential consequences for your future premiums and market access. Understanding the relationship between claims history and insurance rates helps you make informed decisions about when to file and when it may be more cost-effective to handle a loss out of pocket.
Your loss run is a formal document produced by your insurer that records every claim filed under your policy – date, type, amount paid and reserve status of open claims. Loss runs covering three to five years are required by virtually every commercial trucking insurer when evaluating a new or renewal account. A loss run with multiple at-fault claims signals elevated future claim probability and directly affects your market access and premium.
| Claims Profile | Typical Premium Impact at Renewal |
| Zero claims in prior 3 years | Eligible for loss-free credits; best available market rates |
| One minor at-fault claim (< $25K paid) | 5–15% surcharge; standard market access typically maintained |
| One moderate at-fault claim ($25K – $100K paid) | 15–30% surcharge; some standard carriers may decline |
| One major at-fault claim (> $100K paid) | 25–45% surcharge; standard market access may be limited |
| Two at-fault claims within 3 years | 30–60%+ surcharge; primarily non-standard/surplus lines market |
| Three or more claims within 3 years | Non-standard market only; significant rate increase; some declinations |
| Not-at-fault claims only | Minimal to no impact; not-at-fault claims are weighted significantly less |
For smaller physical damage losses – particularly those close to your deductible amount – the decision of whether to file a claim or pay the repair cost out of pocket requires careful analysis. The question is not whether you are entitled to file the claim (you are) but whether the premium impact of filing will cost more over time than the amount you would recover.
As a rough framework: if your deductible is $2,500 and the repair estimate is $3,500, you would recover $1,000 from the claim. If filing that claim results in a $2,000 annual premium increase that persists for two to three years, the total cost of filing is $4,000 to $6,000 – far more than the $1,000 recovery. In that scenario, paying out of pocket is almost always the right financial decision.
This calculation changes significantly for large claims. A $150,000 liability claim cannot and should not be self-funded regardless of the premium impact. The insurance product’s value is most evident in exactly those situations.
| The $10,000 Rule of Thumb
Many experienced trucking operators and insurance brokers use a rough guideline: only file a claim if the expected insurance payment exceeds your deductible by a significant margin – often $10,000 or more – and if the loss would create genuine financial hardship if paid out of pocket. Below that threshold, self-funding often produces better long-term insurance economics. This is a guideline, not a rule – consult your broker before making any specific claim decision. |
The best insurance cost management strategy is keeping your loss run clean. Beyond obvious safe driving practices, the following operational strategies reduce claim frequency and protect your loss history:
| Questions About a Claim or Your Coverage? OLPolicy Is Here.
Whether you are in the middle of a claim, evaluating a settlement offer or concerned about how a claim will affect your renewal rate, OLPolicy’s commercial transportation specialists will give you clear, practical guidance. Call OLPolicy: (866) 757-5350 | Visit: OLPolicy.com |
Most commercial trucking policies require you to report incidents promptly – language typically reads ‘as soon as practicable’ or ‘within 24 to 72 hours.’ The policy’s prompt reporting requirement is separate from any legal statute of limitations. Failing to report promptly can give your insurer grounds to deny coverage even for valid claims. For cargo claims, the Carmack Amendment imposes a nine-month deadline for filing a written claim with the carrier. For liability claims, statutes of limitations vary by state but are typically two to three years from the date of the accident. When in doubt, report as soon as possible after any incident.
Filing an at-fault claim typically results in a premium increase at renewal – commonly 15 to 35 percent for a single moderate claim. The actual impact depends on the severity of the claim, your prior loss history and your insurer’s specific rating methodology. Not-at-fault claims and comprehensive claims (theft, weather damage) typically have a much smaller impact than at-fault liability or collision claims. For minor losses close to your deductible, analyzing the long-term premium impact before filing is worth the effort. OLPolicy can help you run this analysis before you decide to file.
If your truck is damaged by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, your options depend on your coverage. Commercial trucking physical damage policies cover your truck’s damage regardless of whether the at-fault party has insurance – subject to your deductible. Your insurer will then pursue subrogation against the uninsured driver to recover the paid amount, including your deductible if successful. Uninsured motorist coverage is not universally included in commercial trucking policies and should be specifically verified with your broker. If the at-fault driver has inadequate insurance to cover your liability exposure, underinsured motorist coverage is the relevant product.
Cargo theft is a covered event under most motor truck cargo policies. Report the theft to law enforcement immediately and obtain a police report – this is required for cargo theft claims. Notify your insurer within the timeframe specified in your policy. Provide the bill of lading, shipper’s invoice documenting the cargo value and any evidence related to the theft (surveillance footage, witness information, GPS data showing the last known location). Cargo theft claims are investigated carefully – your insurer will verify the load existed, the declared value is accurate and the theft circumstances are consistent with the coverage terms. Cargo theft is also reportable to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and to CargoNet if applicable.
Whether you can choose your own repair shop depends on your policy terms. Some commercial trucking policies require repairs at a preferred repair network to maintain warranty coverage. Others allow free choice of repair facility. Review your declarations page and policy documents or ask your broker before committing to a shop. If your policy allows free choice, select a facility with demonstrated commercial truck repair experience – not a general auto body shop. A specialist shop produces better quality repairs, is more likely to identify the full scope of damage and has experience negotiating supplements with commercial insurers.
Improper packaging by the shipper is one of the five recognized Carmack Amendment defenses that can relieve a carrier of liability for cargo damage. However, this defense requires the carrier to demonstrate that the damage was caused by the packaging deficiency – not merely that the packaging was substandard. If your cargo claim is denied on this basis, review whether the insurer has actually established the causal link between the packaging and the damage, rather than using general packaging observations as a blanket denial. If the causal link is not clearly demonstrated, the denial may be challengeable.
Every commercial truck driver should maintain the following in the cab at all times: current insurance card or binder showing insurer name, policy number and effective dates; insurer claims reporting phone number; broker contact information (OLPolicy: (866) 757-5350); blank accident reporting form or a note-taking pad for collecting information at the scene; emergency triangles or flares; and a copy of the current registration and any operating authority documentation. A pre-prepared accident response checklist – listing the steps to take and information to collect – is one of the most practical tools for ensuring nothing is missed in the stressful aftermath of an incident.
Use this checklist in the immediate aftermath of any incident to ensure all critical steps are completed promptly.
| Action Item | Timeframe | Done? |
| Ensure safety and call 911 for injuries or major damage | Immediately | ☐ |
| Exchange information with all parties; photograph scene thoroughly | At the scene | ☐ |
| Note witness names and contact information | At the scene | ☐ |
| Preserve dashcam footage immediately | Within hours | ☐ |
| Report incident to insurer’s claims line | Within 24 hours | ☐ |
| Notify your broker (OLPolicy: (866) 757-5350) | Within 24 hours | ☐ |
| Preserve ELD and GPS data from the trip | Within 24 hours | ☐ |
| Obtain police report copy when available | Within 1–3 days | ☐ |
| Write your own detailed incident narrative while fresh | Within 24 hours | ☐ |
| Assemble all relevant documents for adjuster | Within 48–72 hours | ☐ |
| Notify lender if truck is financed (physical damage) | Within 24–48 hours | ☐ |
| Notify shipper and broker of cargo incident | Same day (cargo claims) | ☐ |
| Photograph damaged cargo before any disposal or repair | Immediately (cargo) | ☐ |
| File DOT accident register entry if DOT-reportable | Within 24 hours | ☐ |
| Consider CPDP filing if crash may be non-preventable | Within 60 days of SMS entry | ☐ |
| Track claim progress; follow up with adjuster weekly | Ongoing | ☐ |
| Review settlement offer before accepting; consult broker | Before signing | ☐ |
Filing a commercial trucking insurance claim is not something most operators want to do, but being unprepared for the process makes a difficult situation significantly worse. The operators who navigate claims most successfully share a common set of habits: they document everything routinely, they know their policy before they need it, they report promptly, they cooperate fully with adjusters and they advocate for themselves when a settlement does not reflect the full value of their loss.
The claims process exists to make you whole after a covered loss. When it works well, it does exactly that – efficiently and without dispute. When it does not work as it should, understanding your rights, your options and the formal remedies available to you is what stands between an inadequate settlement and the full compensation your policy entitles you to.
OLPolicy supports policyholders throughout the entire lifecycle of their commercial trucking insurance relationship – from selecting the right coverage before the first load, to advocating for fair treatment when a claim arises, to helping manage rates in the aftermath of a claims event. If you have questions at any stage of this process, our commercial transportation specialists are here to help.
| OLPolicy Is Your Partner in Commercial Trucking Insurance – Before and After a Claim
From policy design and BMC-91 filings to claims support and renewal advocacy, OLPolicy’s commercial transportation specialists are with you at every step. Compare coverage from multiple top-rated carriers and get the protection your operation deserves. Call OLPolicy: (866) 757-5350 | Visit: OLPolicy.com |
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, regulatory or insurance advice. Claims processes, policy terms, legal deadlines and regulatory requirements vary by insurer, state and policy type and are subject to change. Always consult your specific policy documents and a licensed commercial insurance professional or attorney for advice specific to your situation. OLPolicy is a licensed insurance agency.
