[Musicman]

Just wait until we all have to have $3,000,000 or even $5,000,000 liability like the big companies (who are self insured) are pushing for.

GMAN, have you looked at Lancer? My agent is Buckner out of Utah, and I've been with Northland for years, and while my longevity with them qualified me for a diminished deductible of $0, my agent got me a quote with Lancer (A- rated) for $750 less a year. I'm paying $8,074 for $1 million liability, $150k cargo, $50k physical damage on my tractor and $50k physical damage on my step-deck.

[GMAN]

Originally Posted by Musicman

Just wait until we all have to have $3,000,000 or even $5,000,000 liability like the big companies (who are self insured) are pushing for.

GMAN, have you looked at Lancer? My agent is Buckner out of Utah, and I've been with Northland for years, and while my longevity with them qualified me for a diminished deductible of $0, my agent got me a quote with Lancer (A- rated) for $750 less a year. I'm paying $8,074 for $1 million liability, $150k cargo, $50k physical damage on my tractor and $50k physical damage on my step-deck.

I just renewed with Lancer. I went with them last year after being with Northland for many years. I think that there was about $100 difference in premium last year and about the same this year. I received premium reductions for several years with Northland then about 2 years ago they started raising rates. It would not have been so bad had the rate not increased so much. I thought any insurance company would appreciate those who had a good record with them and no claims. I guess that only goes so far. The major carriers are pushing hard to raise liability, along with the congressman who makes his living shaking down trucking companies through his family law practice. If they think rates should be raised, then the mega carriers should NOT be able to self insure. They should be required to pay the same premiums as the rest of us. Since they think that we should all have a level playing field, it would only be FAIR for them to not be able to self insure. I think that they would change their tune if they had to pay for all their insurance.

[Scottt]

Have you guys checked into Acuity insurance? www.acuity.com

I had Northland for the last few years and it went up every year so this year I called a different agent and got a quote from Acuity. I paid around $1500 down and $575 a month with Northland. This year with Acuity I paid $550 down and am paying $346 a month for the exact same coverage.

[PDR]

This is my first reply on the forum although I have been following several of your post for over a year now which I may add have been very helpful. I retired from an unrelated career a year ago, bought a truck and 53' reefer, then leased on to a small carrier. I have only been an O/O for a year now I have reached the point that I am ready to expand my business. With that said, I have been obtaining insurance quotes, and as many of you have commented, the rates are very high to the point that it is obvious that small carrier start up is being discouraged. My lowest quote so far has been a little over $12,000. Some companies won't even look at me due to only having one year experience. MVR is clean with no claims thus far. Any suggestions regarding obtaining affordable insurance would be greatly appreciated. Again, thanks for all of the valuable information and allowing me to be a member of this forum.

[GMAN]

Insurance for startups has gotten ridiculous. Some posters have stated that they have gotten better rates from Progressive, but most have travel restrictions of about a 500 mile radius. Find an independent agent that will shop your insurance. The first couple of years can be challenging for rates. Once you have 2-3 years experience you should find it easier to find insurance. If you need a good agent let me know. I will send you the name of my insurance agent. They have done a good job for me the last several years.

[PDR]

Thanks GMAN. I contacted the ins company that my equipment is currently insured under through my lease and they sent me to an agent in TX where I reside. That agent is trying but some of the rates he is receiving are so high that he doesn't even pass them on to me. I did contact progressive and they were around 12,750 if you paid it up front. another 1800 if paid out over time. The best rate that I received so far was 12,140 paid in full and another 500 paid over time. I only run my truck part time OTR but it doesn't seem to matter from a rate standpoint with a one truck company. I am open to trying other agents if they can operate in TX. Any info is appreciated.

[GMAN]

I sent you a pm with my insurance agents number.

[PDR]

Spoke with your agent GMAN and the quotes that he is getting for me are starting at $16,000 and go up. They claim it is so high because I am a "new venture." It appears Carrier start up for the small guy may become a thing of the past. I run my business now as an O/O. The carrier that I am leased to allows me to obtain my own freight and run as I please. It's not a bad deal but I thought I could maximize profits under my own authority. With ins at 16,000 grand (double what I pay now) I would have to run a lot more than I do now to cover the increased expense. Very discouraging. I had some earlier quotes around 12,500, but that still seems high.

[GMAN]

Originally Posted by PDR

Spoke with your agent GMAN and the quotes that he is getting for me are starting at $16,000 and go up. They claim it is so high because I am a "new venture." It appears Carrier start up for the small guy may become a thing of the past. I run my business now as an O/O. The carrier that I am leased to allows me to obtain my own freight and run as I please. It's not a bad deal but I thought I could maximize profits under my own authority. With ins at 16,000 grand (double what I pay now) I would have to run a lot more than I do now to cover the increased expense. Very discouraging. I had some earlier quotes around 12,500, but that still seems high.

I am sorry to hear my agent quoted you such a high rate. I am really glad that I am not starting out right now with those kind of rates. Of course,. when I started out my premiums were probably high for the time. I was also hauling cars and many insurance companies won't even insure car haulers. I think I was paying about $8,200 back then. That was also for $250,000 cargo and $1 million liability. I have always carried $1 million liability.

[Cluggy619]

I wentto my agent, and got a quick qoute for insurance on my Volvo. It was from progressive, and was at $12,000 per year. I figured he was just trying to hit me hard. Now I'll wait for him to call me back.... he said he couldget better rates. I'll let you all know.