Dump truck insurance

For hire or hauling your own material?

The federal minimum-insurance rules in 49 CFR Part 387, Subpart A, apply to for-hire carriers hauling property in interstate commerce, and to carriers of hazardous materials. A construction company or quarry that only hauls its own material across state lines is a private carrier, and for non-hazardous loads that federal minimum does not apply.

That doesn’t mean a low limit is legal. Several states fill the gap — including for private trucks:

• Texas — $500,000 for commercial motor vehicles over 26,000 lbs that must register with TxDMV, private or for-hire.
• California — $750,000 for motor carriers of property under the Motor Carrier Permit program, which includes private carriers with two-axle-plus trucks over 10,000 lbs GVWR.
• North Carolina — owners of commercial motor vehicles (26,001 lbs and up) must carry the federal for-hire level, $750,000, to register them.

See the state guides for the rules where your trucks are based.

CDL, IFTA and tax lines for dump trucks

Three or more axles

An IFTA “qualified motor vehicle” and IRP “apportionable vehicle” regardless of weight — you need IFTA and IRP if you run interstate.

26,001 lbs GVWR

Class B CDL for a single truck; Class A for a combination of 26,001 lbs or more towing a trailer rated over 10,000 lbs (49 CFR 383.5). CDL drivers must be in a drug and alcohol testing program.

55,000 lbs taxable gross

Federal heavy vehicle use tax (IRS Form 2290). You can claim suspension for a vehicle expected to run 5,000 miles or less in the period (7,500 for agricultural vehicles).

Coverage for dump work

• Auto liability — at the federal or state minimum, and at whatever your contracts or job owners require.
• Physical damage — collision and comprehensive for the truck and any trailer; a lender with a lien will require it.
• General liability — for claims that don’t come from driving, such as work on a job site.
• Cargo — priced on what you haul and its value. Some states treat low-value dump loads differently: South Carolina’s E-L certificate for dump-truck commodities needs no cargo insurance, and Oregon waives its $10,000 cargo requirement for loads such as sand and gravel.

In Oregon, trucks with dump bodies hauling sand, gravel, rock or asphalt for a highway or construction project can also elect a flat monthly fee instead of reporting weight-mile tax by the mile.

What moves the price of dump truck insurance

A state regulator’s commercial auto guide (Maryland Insurance Administration) names the factors that apply to any truck: the type of vehicle, where it is garaged and operated, driving and claims history, the limits and deductibles you choose, and whether your coverage has had lapses. The guide also notes that the higher the coverage amount, the higher the premium — for physical damage, that amount is the value you insure the truck for.

More in what drives truck insurance cost.

Quote checklist for dump trucks

• USDOT number, plus MC number and state authority if you haul for hire.
• For-hire, private, or both — and whether any loads are hazardous.
• For each truck and trailer: VIN, year, make, model, number of axles, GVWR and value.
• Drivers’ license classes and years of experience.
• Materials hauled, typical radius and states, and job-site or contract insurance requirements.
• Loss runs from recent insurers.