As a trucker, you know the importance of being prepared on the road. You also know that if something goes wrong, you need to be able to handle it and keep going. That’s why having quality health insurance is a must for truckers.
But when it comes to health insurance for truckers, it can be hard to figure out what’s best for you. Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll provide an overview of the different types of health insurance available to truckers and their families, as well as tips on how to choose the best plan for your needs.
Whether you’re looking for a plan that covers just yourself or one that provides coverage for your family too—we have the knowledge and experience to help make sure you get the right coverage at the right price. Let’s start with a look at the types of health insurance available to truckers and their families.
Why You Should Get Health Insurance for Truckers
Getting health insurance is something that everyone should consider, but especially truckers. You have unique needs when it comes to healthcare, so having the right coverage is important. Not only do you need to make sure that you have insurance in case of an unexpected medical emergency, but there are also government regulations requiring it for those in your profession.
Fortunately for truckers, health insurance can be purchased year-round. The Truckers Service Association provides two health plans specifically designed for those in the industry: TSA Choice and TSA Choice Plus. TSA Choice covers you and your family with basic outpatient care and some preventive care, while TSA Choice Plus offers more comprehensive coverage including hospital stays and lab work.
Truckers who have limited financial resources may want to consider enrolling in Medicare, which pays for medical care such as hospital stays and doctor visits when you are unable to pay the full cost yourself. This is a great option if you don’t qualify for other forms of health insurance or if your employer doesn’t offer an adequate plan.
What Types of Coverage Are Available?
So, what types of health insurance are available for truckers? Well, you have a few options, the best of which depend on your individual situation.
First up, you have medsharing plans. These plans are great for truckers who drive in multiple states due to their government compliance and religious exemption. While medsharing plans do require a monthly membership fee and doctors appointment fees, they are typically more affordable than other health insurance options.
Another great option is ACA compliant plans. These can be a great option for owner-operator truckers with preexisting conditions. They are also the only type of health insurance accepted by the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Finally, there are short-term health plans. If you don’t have time to research the other options or need quick coverage, these can be a great choice as they offer coverage as low as $85/month with no pre-existing condition restrictions. They are also ideal if you’d like to supplement existing coverage or need additional coverage in between jobs.
Understanding the Different Levels of Coverage
Want to make sure you’re getting the right insurance coverage for your trucking business? You want to understand the different levels of coverage when it comes to health plans. In the United States, health plans are offered in four actuarial levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Bronze plans typically have lower monthly premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs; they cover around 60% of medical expenses. Silver plans have a little bit higher premiums but lower out-of-pocket costs, covering around 70% of medical expenses. Gold plans have even higher premium costs but lower out-of-pocket costs—they cover around 80% of medical expenses. And finally, Platinum plans are the most expensive but also offer the highest level of coverage for medical expenses—around 90%.
Knowing which metal tier suits your company’s needs will help ensure that you get the best coverage at the best price. So take a look at each metal tier’s plan to decide which one is right for you and your trucking business.
Learning About Passenger Liability Coverage
When it comes to trucking insurance, you’ll want to find out about passenger liability coverage. Most states require some form of passenger liability coverage in order for a trucking company to legally operate, and this type of coverage helps cover the medical care costs and emergency services for someone else if you’re at fault for a car accident.
So how does it work? Basically, bodily injury liability insurance will cover medical expenses for anyone injured in the accident who is not considered an employee or passenger of your business. While the specifics can vary, most coverage includes things like hospital bills, doctor’s fees, ambulance fees and other related expenses.
It’s important to note that while some states require passenger liability insurance as part of your own liability insurance policy, others may offer it as an optional add-on at an additional cost. Make sure you research the requirements in your state to be sure you meet all local laws and regulations.
Making Sense of Cargo Insurance and Liability
If you’re a trucker, cargo insurance is something that you’ll definitely want to be aware of. Cargo insurance ensures that the trucker’s legal liability is covered in the case of damaged or lost freight during transport. In other words, risk managers may require truckers to take out motor truck cargo insurance to protect themselves from any responsibility if something goes wrong.
This type of motor truck cargo insurance covers legal liability for damage to property of others, which may include damages as a result of:
- Cargo fires
- Thefts
- Natural disasters
- Automobile accidents
It’s important to note too that motor truck cargo insurances does not cover damages caused by the transporter’s negligence or improper loading/handling. So it’s a great way for a trucker to have peace of mind and feel secure knowing that their cargo and legal liabilities are covered in case anything should happen while they’re on the road transporting freight.
Shopping for the Right Plan for Your Trucking Business
When it comes to shopping for the right health insurance plan for your company, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you’ll want to make sure that the plan you’re considering is government compliant and offers medical sharing plans. Next, consider whether or not you need a short-term health insurance plan or a more permanent solution. Finally, look at how much each option will cost.
The National Independent health insurance for trucking companies (NITIC) is one of the leading providers of health insurance plans specifically tailored to trucking companies. NITIC has been providing quality insurance solutions for over 25 years and their plans offer great coverage options and competitive pricing starting at just $85/month.
Whether you’re looking for short-term solutions or long-term commitments, NITIC’s plans are designed with truckers in mind and offer protection from unexpected medical expenses. With NITIC’s plans, you can rest easy knowing that your business is covered when it comes to healthcare needs and requirements.
Conclusion
The trucking industry is constantly evolving and it’s important to stay informed about the health insurance options available. With the right provider and coverage, truckers can make sure they, and their families, remain protected on the road.
At the end of the day, health insurance is a necessity for lives on the road. No one should ever be without it and with the help of this guide, truckers can make sure they have the coverage they need no matter where the road takes them.