Do You Drive A Hemi, A Texas Edition Chevy, Or An F-250?
Pickup Truck Insurance in Texas
Driving a pickup truck in Texas is so common it’s expected at tailgates, rodeos, and at work. Without a pickup truck, how can you even call your party a “tailgate”? There’s just something about being higher up, hauling and towing trailers, and going off-road.
When it comes to an insurance policy for your truck, most agents will tell you a light-duty truck policy is no different from auto insurance. While the policy is the same, how you use your truck and what is covered is very different from standard auto insurance.
State Minimum Doesn’t Cut It for Trucks
In 2017, over half a million road accidents were recorded by state authorities. On top of that, several thousand people are killed on the roads in Texas every year.
That statistic should be enough to make you pause and consider the quality of your current insurance policy. Texas state law minimums for vehicle insurance include only $30,000 for bodily Injury per individual, up to $60,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage to the other vehicle.
But what happens if you cause the accident and your truck has a heavy load in the bed or trailer attached?
There is a high probability, your truck will be the heaviest vehicle in any accident. Light-duty trucks can easily total small cars and SUVs. Trucks are also more likely to cause severe injury or death to other drivers, especially when hauling or towing. Before agreeing to a state minimum insurance policy, consider the cost of a collision. It may be cheaper upfront, but if your truck is involved in an accident, consider the damage to other vehicles and people.
For this reason, Gross Vehicle Weights (GVW) could limit the number of carriers and policies that accept your truck. Larger vehicles and vehicles used for business require business auto insurance. Those carriers have the ability to price insurance appropriately for full-size and medium-duty trucks like the Ford F-350 that create more expensive claims.
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Consider Collision Coverage for Trucks
From 2008 to 2018, there was a 48-percent increase in price for full-size, light-duty pickups – the highest price increase for that time period out of all vehicle categories.
New pickup trucks are now more expensive than some luxury car models, causing insurance companies to raise rates. While you can expect to pay more overall for insurance compared to a car, don’t skimp on collision coverage.
If your truck is damaged in an accident, hits a tree or has a rollover, can you afford to pay for the repairs or damage? With a new truck at half the price of some homes in Texas, collision coverage helps protect your second biggest asset.
If you frequently use a trailer with your truck, consider the worst-case scenario of a trailer detaching on the road, damaging the trailer and other vehicles in an accident. You might be towing a camper, tiny home or farm equipment.
Some policies don’t cover trailers towed by light-duty trucks or only cover specific types (utility trailer, horse trailer, gooseneck or medium duty trailer). A separate policy maybe needed for your trailer depending on how often you tow and the replacement value of the trailer and contents.
Be careful: some insurance companies may have cheap policies for a reason, and the old mantra of “you get what you pay for” is true. In fact, here are 5 reasons why you should avoid cheaper insurance for your truck.
Vehicle Insurance
Insurance protection for the vehicles that matter most to you.
– Auto Insurance – We insure thousands of cars, trucks, vans, and commercial vehicles used in all types of businesses.
– Motorcycle Insurance – Start your Motorcycle riding experience with insurance through Hettler.
– ATV and Motorsport Insurance – Does it have a key? Is it a dirt bike? We have a program to cover it.
– Classic Car Insurance – Classics and antique vehicles require special coverages. We represent a couple of different carriers to cover them.
– RV and Mobile Home Insurance – Big values traveling down the road? No problem. We handle the big risks all the time.
– Boat and Watercraft Insurance – We cover boats of all sizes.
Property Insurance
Insurance protection for the property that matters most to you.
– Homeowners Insurance – Your home is your castle. Protect your most valuable asset with quality coverage.
– Condo Insurance – Condos are a little different. Call us to get your specialized coverage!
– Renters Insurance – Fires in apartments and rental homes are way too common. Renter’s coverage is really reasonably priced.
– Landlord Protection ™ – Renting your home? Protect yourself with landlord insurance.
– Flood Insurance – You have to have a separate policy to cover flood… It can happen even here in the desert.
– Storm & Hail Insurance – Texas has had thirty-six $100,000,000 or larger disasters from severe storms in the past 25 years and more than 80% of the time, hail was to blame for the damage.
– Earthquake Insurance – Earthquakes have occurred in 39 states since 1900, and about 90% of Americans live in areas considered seismically active. Most home insurance policies do not cover earthquake damage. Good news, earthquake insurance can be inexpensive.
Commercial & Business Insurance
Coverage that helps protect your business
– Business Owners Policy (BOP) – Lubbock County is in the top 10 for commercial property damage due to wind, hail and dust storms; and the top 10 for commercial auto comprehensive claims due to weather; and the top 10 for lightning storm damage.
– General Liability Insurance (GL) – Insurance coverage for when you or your products hurt someone or damage property.
– Commercial Property Insurance – Coverage against Fire, Wind, Hail, and many other perils.
– Business Auto Insurance – Cover your business with insurance for commercial and business vehicles.
– Commercial Liability Insurance – also known as “general liability insurance” is a broad policy that covers a number of liability exposures of a business. Business liability insurance is often the first line of defense against lawsuits from customers, allowing an owner to protect both personal and business assets.
– Commercial Umbrella Insurance – Insurance coverage that gives an extra layer of liability protection from the rising costs of lawsuits.
– Workers’ Compensation Insurance (workers comp) – Medical bills and lost income Insurance coverage that helps you take care of injured employees.
– Cyber Security Insurance – In an era of leaked embarrassing online photos, confidential emails and digitally internet connected employees and customers, it’s no wonder businesses (of all sizes) are rushing to cover themselves with cyber liability insurance.
– Surety Bonds – Get your notary bond, your contractor’s bond, your bid bond, or your performance bond from Hettler Insurance Agency.
– Contractor’s Insurance – Many contractors operate out of the home and may not require commercial property insurance. Instead, contractors typically perform work at the customer’s location. This can be a residential home, a construction site or a commercial property.
– Builder’s Insurance – With a good Builder’s Risk policy, the structure, materials and equipment are protected from theft, vandalism and weather damage during the construction phase.
Life/Health Insurance
Insurance protection for your family’s health.
– Health Insurance – Insurance for you, your family, and your pocketbook. Uncovered medical costs can bankrupt you.
– Personal Umbrella Insurance – An umbrella policy provides additional layers of liability protection. If the liability limits are exhausted on your home, auto, or other underlying insurance policy, your umbrella insurance policy takes over and provides you with additional protection. You may need this in case of a car wreck involving a fatality, etc. For a minimal cost, you can protect your assets, and your future earnings.
– Whole Life Insurance – Life insurance coverage designed to be there for your whole life.
– Term Life Insurance – Insurance protection to help keep your family secure for a specific period of time.