Heavy Haulers Daily Blog

John Deere 410 D Backhoe loaded for transport

Heavy Haul Insurance – What You Need To Know

Oversize load transport services and solutions come with heavy demand for safety and efficiency. Established heavy hauling companies like Heavy Haulers provide overweight and over-dimensional machinery shipping with over a decade of experience ensuring maximum safety and timely delivery.

Such companies should adhere to all heavy equipment shipping regulations set by law to achieve this high professionalism. These include acquiring vital safety documents like equipment shipping insurance.

John Deere 410 D Backhoe loaded for transport

What Exactly Is Heavy Haul Insurance?

Heavy haul insurance protects your equipment and drivers against damages, loss, and accidents from improper handling or theft. This insurance type is designed for overweight and oversized load transport. Insuring your equipment ensures that your oversized load shipment is protected from potential risks and liabilities.

Heavy hauling experts should enhance their solutions as businesses continue demanding high-quality services by incorporating modern logistics planning with a core focus on safety. Still, accidents and other damages occur, so having and providing reliable insurance coverage for heavy shipping projects is essential.

There are various categories of insurance coverage, including:

  • Cargo insurance
  • Employee compensation insurance
  • Commercial auto insurance
  • General liability insurance

Sometimes, various companies may handle your shipment during transit and storage. This can make it hard to determine the liability and the responsible party precisely. Equipment shipping insurance covers such losses without showing liability when you work with a reputable company.

Jariff Tree Trimmer loaded for transport

Why are Companies Required to have Equipment Shipping Insurance?

Companies need shipping insurance to protect them and clients from unforeseen circumstances and liabilities associated with heavy hauling transport. Equipment shipping insurance provides total or partial protection against damages and losses depending on the shipping contract with the heavy hauling company.

Heavy hauling insurance is essential to risk management for overweight and oversized load transport companies. While the primary purpose of heavy shipping insurance is to cover risks and financial losses, there are other reasons and importance companies are required and encouraged to provide this layer of protection. These include:

  • Regulatory compliance

This is usually a legal requirement in various jurisdictions nationwide. The authorities stipulate minimum heavy haul insurance requirements to cover potential losses and liabilities.

  • Meeting contractual obligations

When transporting high-value equipment, involved parties may settle for a specific category and level of shipping insurance coverage. This protects all involved parties.

  • Risk mitigation and management

Overweight and oversized load transport usually involves high-risk specialized equipment prone to accidents or damage. Equipment shipping insurance is the ultimate solution for managing the risk involved.

  • Liability coverage

This mainly covers third-party damage. If your shipment causes damage to third-party property or injuries to people, this coverage will cater to these liabilities within the insurance policy.

  • Financial protection

Generally, this is the top reason for insurance coverage in oversized load transport. Heavy haul insurance provides financial protection against damaged, stolen, or lost equipment during transit. It helps businesses recover the cargo or equipment value, minimizing economic losses.

How to Ensure the Transport Company Has Proper Equipment Hauling Insurance

While heavy hauling insurance protects your oversized load transport shipment, ensuring that the service provider has proper equipment hauling insurance is vital. Heavy equipment shipping regulations recommend and encourage working with a company that provides adequate equipment hauling insurance.

Professional and licensed North American hauling companies understand the need to provide reliable and reputable insurance cover for shipment to mitigate and cover any unforeseen eventualities resulting from accidents, damages, or stolen cargo.

To ensure that an oversized load transport company has proper heavy hauling insurance, consider these steps to confirm and verify:

  • Verify with the insurance company provider

Reach out to the insurance provider and verify the provided coverage and that the policy has no gaps.

  • Cargo insurance details

When hauling heavy equipment, ensure the cargo insurance shows the specific details covering the load type being shipped. Verify if there are exclusions or limitations.

  • Request documentation

When the heavy hauling company offers insurance coverage, request copies of the insurance certificates and other relevant documents.

  • Review contractual agreement

Ensure you examine all contracts and agreements regarding the insurance coverage and the transport company. These outline the specific details, requirements, and expectations.

While it’s essential to check for proper insurance coverage from the heavy hauling company, make sure you avoid insurance scams by following these tips:

  • Verify the insurance company’s licensing.
  • Beware and avoid unsolicited emails and calls offering insurance deals.
  • Request for a written document of the insurance terms and conditions and the policy
  • Verify brokers and agents.
  • Check for common red flags in documents, such as inconsistent information, incomplete clauses, and misspelled words.
  • Be cautious if asked to pay or deposit upfront fees.
  • Research the insurance company and check for client feedback.

Conduct due diligence when shipping your heavy load by working with a reputable professional oversized load transport company.