Loss Runs for Trucking Insurance: What They Are and How to Get Them

Every time you ask for a truck insurance quote, someone asks for your loss runs. Loss runs for trucking insurance are simply your claims history, printed by the insurance company that covers you now or covered you before. If you have them ready, a quote or a switch can move faster. If you do not, things can stall for days. Here is what they are and how to get them.

What loss runs are, in plain words

A loss run is a report. It lists the claims made on your policy during a set period of time. Think of it as a report card for your insurance history.

A loss run usually shows:

• The name of the insurance company and your policy number.
• The dates the policy was active.
• Each claim, with the date it happened.
• What kind of claim it was, like liability, cargo or physical damage (damage to your own truck).
• How much was paid, and how much is still set aside for claims that are still open.
• Whether each claim is open or closed.

If you had no claims, the report says so. That is called a "no loss" or "clean" loss run. It is still useful. It proves you had coverage and that nothing was reported.

Why every truck insurance quote asks for loss runs

An underwriter is the person at the insurance company who decides whether to offer a policy and on what terms. The underwriter cannot see your past. The loss run shows it to them.

It answers questions like these:

• Have you had insurance before, and for how long?
• Have there been crashes, cargo claims or other losses?
• Are any claims still open?

Loss runs are only one piece. Underwriters also look at your driving records, your trucks, the freight you haul, where you drive and your safety record. A clean history does not promise a lower price or an approval. But a missing loss run almost always slows the quote down.

How to get your loss runs, step by step

1. Know who to ask. Ask the insurance company, or your agent, for each policy you had in the period the new quote needs. Many quotes ask for the last three to five years, but the underwriter decides.
2. Put the request in writing. Send an email. Include your business name, USDOT number, policy numbers and the years you need.
3. Ask for "currently valued" reports. That means the numbers are up to date as of today, not from last year.
4. Follow up. Some companies send them in a few days. Others take longer. Start early.
5. Check them. Read every line. Make sure each claim is really yours and that closed claims show as closed.

If a claim looks wrong, ask the insurance company to fix it before you send the report out.

Common mistakes with loss runs

• Waiting until renewal week. If your policy renews soon, ask for your loss runs 45 to 60 days before. Our truck insurance renewal checklist explains what else to review.
• Sending only part of your history. If you changed insurance companies, you need reports from each one.
• Old reports. A report from a year ago may not show a newer claim. Underwriters often want recent ones.
• Ignoring open claims. An open claim still has money set aside. Ask the adjuster what is left to close it.
• Hiding a claim. The underwriter can find out. It is better to explain it up front.

What to send with your loss runs

Loss runs are part of a bigger package. You will also need things like your CDL, a list of your trucks with VINs, your USDOT and MC numbers and the kind of freight you haul. Our list of documents you need for a truck insurance quote covers the full set.

When to call us

If you want to shop your truck insurance, or your renewal is coming up, call TCZ Insurance Agency at 956-526-6727. We can tell you which loss runs the quote needs and help you ask for them. We will be straight with you about what your history means.

Common questions

Do I need loss runs if I am a brand-new trucking company? If you never had a commercial truck policy, there may be no loss runs to send. Tell your agent. The underwriter will look at other things, like your driving experience and records.

Can my old insurance company refuse to give me my loss runs? Loss runs are your records. Ask in writing and keep a copy of your request. If it takes too long, your agent can help you follow up.

Does a claim on my loss run mean I cannot get insured? No. Many carriers with claims still get quotes. Each insurance company decides for itself. Being honest and having complete records helps the process.