Being a commercial truck driver is a demanding job, and one that requires intense focus while on the road. There's little worse than having to stress about off-the-road issues such as purchasing insurance. So in order to keep your mind at ease, you'll want to ask a number of questions of your insurance agent before you decide on a specific policy. Three of the most important questions are listed below, so keep reading to discover exactly what they are.

What limits am I required to have?

Policy limits represent the minimum amount of insurance you're required to have by state or federal law as a commercial truck driver. This sounds simple enough, but it can quickly become confusing because the limits can change drastically based on what cargo you're carrying. After all, different cargo pose various threats -- a trucker that is endorsed for and regularly carries hazardous materials will need a limit much higher than a driver who only carries water or grain. An agent can help elucidate the various limits and which ones you'll need. 

What are my payment options?

With regards to payment plans, there are usually far more options than those that are initially presented to you. Ask your agent to detail all the payment possibilities, and you may find that you can end up with a significant percentage of savings. Usually, insurance companies will provide deep discounts on policies if you're able to pay in annual installments instead of monthly ones. If that's a financial possibility for you, don't hesitate to mention it to your agent. If you're an owner operator, you can use those savings to invest back into your truck. 

What about claims?

Although most nationwide insurance brokers offer 24 hour claims service, don't assume that's the case with every policy. Regional insurance companies may not have the resources to be able to deal with a problem in the middle of the night on a holiday, which is understandable. But understanding only goes so far when you've run into a problem (literally or figuratively) at two in the morning on a lonely highway in the middle of nowhere. You need an insurance policy that can assess the damage at any time of the day or night, wherever you might be. An insurance agent like those at Metropolitan Insurance Service Consultants will be able to sort through the various policies and pick one that can provide both quality round-the-clock service and peace of mind.