When you’re out on the road, you count on your insurance to have your back. But there’s a catch that too many truckers only discover when it’s too late: filing an uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) claim can come with an unexpected price — a spike in your insurance premiums.
That’s a tough pill to swallow, especially when the accident wasn’t even your fault. And if you’re a hardworking driver or fleet owner trying to manage tight margins, every dollar counts.
The team at InsuranceHub, a trusted provider of trucking insurance and DOT compliance assistance, sees this situation play out far too often. With some smart planning, truckers can protect themselves without getting hit twice — once by the accident and again by their insurance company.
Here’s what you need to know.
The Hidden Cost of UM/UIM Claims
When you’re hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance (or not enough), your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is supposed to step in. It can help cover things like medical bills and lost income, which sounds like the right move—until you file the claim and see your premiums climb at renewal time.
Even if the accident wasn’t your fault, many insurance companies treat UM/UIM claims similarly to at-fault accidents when they calculate your risk profile. The result? Higher rates, and in some cases, much higher deductibles.
For truckers, that’s a real problem. Long-haul, regional, or local — no matter how you run, you depend on predictable costs to keep your wheels turning. Unexpected premium increases can throw your whole budget off balance.
Why Premium Spikes Happen
Insurance companies are in the business of measuring risk. When you file a UM/UIM claim, they see it as a signal that you’re operating in riskier environments, regardless of the actual circumstances. Maybe you’re frequently in areas with higher rates of uninsured drivers, or perhaps it’s just bad luck. Either way, they bake that perceived risk into your renewal.
Even one claim can trigger higher premiums for years. And if you’re an owner-operator or managing a small fleet, those extra costs can stack up fast.
A Smarter Alternative: Occupational Accident and Workers’ Comp Coverage for Trucker Drivers
Here’s where it gets interesting. Instead of relying solely on UM/UIM coverage, many truckers are turning to Occupational Accident insurance (often called Occ Acc) or Workers’ Compensation policies as smarter, more cost-effective solutions.
Both of these coverages are designed to step in when you’re injured on the job — whether the accident involves another vehicle, a slip and fall, or another work-related incident. And the best part? Filing a claim on these policies typically doesn’t impact your auto liability premiums.
Here’s how they help:
- Medical Expenses: Covers the cost of treatment for injuries sustained while working.
- Lost Wages: Replaces part of your income while you’re recovering.
- Death Benefits: Provides financial support to your family in worst-case scenarios.
- Disability Payments: Helps bridge the gap if you’re temporarily or permanently unable to work.
InsuranceHub often recommends these types of policies to truckers looking for solid protection without the possible penalty of rising premiums. It’s all about safeguarding your livelihood while keeping your bottom line healthy.
What About Damage to Your Truck?
While Occupational Accident or Workers’ Comp can help cover your medical expenses and lost wages, there’s still the question of damage to your truck itself. This is a common point of confusion, especially when dealing with uninsured or underinsured drivers.
UM/UIM coverage typically focuses on injuries — not the physical damage to your rig. To protect your equipment, you’ll need a physical damage policy that includes both collision and comprehensive coverage.
- Collision Coverage: Pays to repair or replace your truck if it’s damaged in an accident, regardless of who’s at fault.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Covers damage from theft, fire, vandalism, or weather events.
Even if you’re hit by an uninsured driver, your physical damage policy is what steps in to cover the cost of repairs or replacement. However, keep in mind that you’ll still need to pay your deductible, and like any claim, it could influence your future premiums.
InsuranceHub helps truckers build well-rounded policies that include physical damage coverage, so they’re fully protected from both personal injury and equipment loss. It’s about having a complete plan that covers all angles of risk.
The Bottom Line
Accidents happen — that’s just part of life on the road. But how you prepare for them makes all the difference.
Before you rush to file a UM/UIM claim, take a step back and consider your options. Occupational Accident and Workers’ Comp policies offer strong protection for truckers, without the side effect of higher premiums down the line.
And remember, you don’t have to go at it alone. Eckert & Associates is here to fight for your lost income after an accident, while InsuranceHub helps you avoid premium spikes and keep your business compliant with DOT regulations. Together, they’re here to support you every mile of the way.
If you want to learn more about protecting your business, coverage for truck drivers, and your bottom line, reach out to InsuranceHub today. They’ve got your back — on the road and off.
About the Author: Bailey Sandage
I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of North Georgia with a degree in Digital Marketing. At InsuranceHub and TruckingHQ, I focus on connecting with trucking businesses through content, email campaigns, SEO, and social media. Whether it’s publishing blogs that answer real driver questions or building marketing strategies that speak directly to owner-operators and fleets, I’m all about helping trucking companies find the coverage and resources they need to stay on the road and grow their business.