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Driving under high winds can be dangerous, especially for truck drivers. While most people think that snow and ice are the most dangerous weather conditions, driving a semi-truck in heavy wind can be just as hazardous. It’s essential to take safety precautions while driving during these conditions.

Truckers play a vital role in keeping our economy moving, but driving a large commercial truck comes with unique challenges and responsibilities, particularly during hazardous weather conditions. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, weather-related accidents account for around 21% of all auto accidents nationwide, leading to nearly 5,400 deaths and 418,000 injuries each year. Of these fatalities, 82% were not occupants of the truck. It’s clear that all drivers, including truckers, have a duty to take extra precautions to protect themselves and others on the road. By following these high wind driving safety tips, truckers can help ensure everyone arrives at their destination safely:

1. Plan Ahead:
   Leave extra time, as your drive may take longer due to the need to drive more slowly in high winds.
2. Always Wear a Seatbelt:
   Wearing a seatbelt can save your life in the event of an accident.
3. Slow Down:
   Slow your speed to a safe driving speed and turn on headlights if needed to account for potentially lower visibility created by blowing dust, sand, snow or rain.
4. Keep Your Hands Firmly on the Wheel:
   Wind can suddenly move your car when traveling from a protected to unprotected area, so keep your hands on the wheel at all times.
5. Maintain a Safe Distance:
   Be aware of and maintain safe distances from other vehicles near you, particularly RVs, campers, trucks, buses, or trailers being towed. These vehicles could swing out and hit your car in sudden wind gusts.
6. Take Extra Care in a High-Profile Vehicle:
   If you’re driving a high-profile vehicle such as trucks, vans, SUVs, or towing a trailer, take extra precautions, as these are more prone to being pushed or flipped by high winds.
7. Watch for Objects That Could Blow into the Roadway:
   Tree limbs may break and/or other debris may come loose during strong winds.
8. Listen to the Radio:
   Listen to the radio for changes in weather conditions that could create more dangerous driving.
9. Pull Over if Necessary:
   If winds are severe enough to prevent safe driving, pull over into a safe parking area away from trees, power lines, or other tall objects that could fall onto your vehicle.
10. Avoid Downed Power Lines:
    Never drive over downed power lines. Avoid anything that may be touching downed lines, including vehicles or tree branches. Report downed lines to your local utility emergency center and to the police.
11. Use Lower Gears and Hazard Lights:
    When driving in high winds, using lower gears can help increase engine revolutions, providing more power to help you maintain control in strong wind gusts. Additionally, turning on your hazard lights can help alert other drivers on the road that you are experiencing hazardous driving conditions due to the wind. Remember to turn off your hazard lights when conditions improve.
12. Ensure Secure Doors and Cargo:
    It’s crucial to ensure that all truck doors are tightly locked and your cargo is properly secured to prevent any incidents caused by heavy winds. The wind can make doors fly open or cargo to shift, leading to accidents or road obstructions if not secured properly. While it’s always essential to secure doors and load before every trip, it becomes even more critical when high winds are in the forecast.

Per below table shared on Reddit, there are recommendations for high-profile vehicles based on wind speeds. These suggestions can serve as a valuable reference for truckers and other high profile vehicle drivers who may encounter high winds on the road

As a business owner, it’s important to have the right insurance coverage to protect yourself from financial losses. One of the methods that’s often overlooked is the endorsement of a policy with additional insured status.

An additional insured status provides coverage to a person or organization that is not listed as an insured under the policy, but who could be held responsible for damages or injuries. For example, if you hire a trucking company to transport cargo for your customer, you may want to be added as an additional insured on their insurance policy to ensure that their coverage will defend you in the event of a lawsuit.

It’s important to note that additional insured status differs from additional named insured. An additional named insured is a person or organization that is added to the policy as a co-equal policyholder, with the same rights and responsibilities as the original policyholder. On the other hand, an additional insured is typically a third party that doesn’t have the same rights and responsibilities as the original policyholder.

Here’s another example of how additional insured status can be useful: suppose you’re a property owner and you’re renting out space to a tenant. You could require the tenant to add you as an additional insured on their insurance policy to protect yourself from potential claims or lawsuits arising from the tenant’s operations.

In summary, adding an additional insured status to insurance policies is an important tool to protect yourself when working with third parties. If you have any questions about insurance-related topics, be sure to contact your trusted GIA agent for guidance.

As a trucking or towing company operator, it’s important to have the right insurance coverage to protect your business in case of accidents or losses. Two key types of insurance for protecting property in your possession are cargo and on-hook coverage.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of these two types of coverage:

Who and What is Covered?

Cargo Coverage: Protects the goods that are being transported in your truck or trailer. This can include client’s items such as equipment, merchandise, automobiles, and other cargo.

On-Hook Coverage: Covers damage to non-owned vehicles that you’re towing. This can include damage to the vehicles caused by an accident, theft, fire, or other covered losses. On-hook coverage applies while the vehicle is being towed, transported, loaded or unloaded.

What is Not Covered?

Both types of coverage do not cover damage to the insured’s own property, intentional acts, or losses caused by illegal activities.

Examples:

Cargo Coverage: Suppose your truck is transporting a load of expensive equipment, and it is stolen while parked overnight at a truck stop. Cargo coverage would help cover the cost of replacing the stolen equipment, up to the policy limits minus the deductible.

On-Hook Coverage: Suppose your towing company is hauling a customer’s car, and it becomes damaged during transport. On-hook coverage would help pay for the repairs or replacement of the damaged vehicle, up to the policy limits minus the deductible.

It is crucial for truckers and towing companies to protect against unforeseen events. For more information on what coverages you need, contact your trusted GIA agent who is always ready to help.

When it comes to operating a business that involves the use of trucks, having the right insurance coverage is crucial. Two common types of insurance policies that businesses and truck drivers need to be aware of are Commercial Auto Liability and Non-Trucking Liability (NTL). In this article, we’ll break down the differences between these two types of insurance and explain why they are essential for businesses and truck drivers alike.

What is Commercial Auto Liability Insurance?

Commercial Auto Liability Insurance is designed to protect businesses when their trucks are involved in accidents while performing work-related tasks. This type of insurance covers damages or injuries that the business’s vehicle might cause to other people or property.

For example, if a company-owned truck crashes into another car while making a delivery, commercial auto liability insurance would help cover the costs of repairing the other car and any medical expenses for the people involved. This coverage is essential for businesses that own, lease, or rent vehicles for business purposes, as it helps protect them from financial losses due to at fault accidents.

What is Non-Trucking Liability (NTL) Insurance?

Non-Trucking Liability Insurance, also known as “bobtail” or “deadhead” insurance, is specifically designed for truck drivers who are leased to a motor carrier. This type of coverage comes into play when the truck is being used in home state for non-business purposes, such as personal use or when the driver is not under dispatch.

For instance, if a truck driver goes to the grocery store while off duty and causes an accident, non-trucking liability insurance would help cover the damages and injuries to others involved in the accident. NTL insurance is crucial for leased truck drivers because it provides protection during their personal time when the primary commercial auto liability coverage provided by the motor carrier does not apply.

In conclusion, Commercial Auto Liability and Non-Trucking Liability Insurance is essential for businesses and truck drivers. By obtaining the appropriate insurance coverage, businesses and truck drivers can protect themselves from potential financial losses resulting from accidents. Always consult with our insurance agents to ensure that your specific needs are met, and you have the right coverage in place to safeguard your business and personal assets.