What happens when you get hit by an at-fault driver or other trucking company?
Many of you know about buying downtime reimbursement coverage for your truck. This pays per day for when your truck is involved in a covered loss. Typically this provides you up to $175 per day when truck is unable to operate because of a collision loss. The cost can vary by state and insurer. An example is $214 per year more for $175/day with a $5,250 (30 day) maximum.
It also pays when that deer decides to take your truck out of service for a while.
But how about when you get hit by an at-fault driver or other trucking company? We call this “Loss of Use”. Hopefully the trucking company or other persons insurance company will take responsibility and pay to fix your truck, but you’re are still at a loss. You were not able to operate your truck and generate income. They are responsible for that loss as well.
Many times the at-fault company will fight this tooth and nail. Your agent should assist you in this process. Don’t let them off the hook because it is too difficult. Provide the accounting information and your agent should be able to calculate your actual per day net loss of use. The days of loss are determined from the point you were no longer able to use the truck until it is repaired and ready to go back on dispatch.
Be warned: there are some self-insured trucking companies that do not care about you. If they hit your truck, they will not pay you your loss of use. They do not care. You may need to take them to court or expose them on the internet forums to pressure them. You were not at-fault you should be correctly compensated. Work with your insurance agent.
