Understanding Trucking Insurance Policies in Colorado

Trucking insurance is designed to protect companies—not victims. Here’s what you need to know to fight for full compensation after a crash.

When the Insurance Company Isn’t on Your Side

After a truck accident, the first call you get might be from the trucking company’s insurer. They’ll ask for your statement. They might offer a settlement. They’ll sound professional—even helpful.

But make no mistake: they’re not on your side.

Trucking insurance exists to protect the carrier, not the crash victim. And in Colorado, these policies are complex, aggressive, and designed to limit payouts. 

At Fisher and Associates, we help injury victims decode these policies, uncover the real coverage, and fight for every dollar they deserve.

Bigger Vehicles Mean Bigger Insurance—But Not Easier Payouts

Commercial trucks can cause devastating damage in a crash. Because of this risk, they’re required to carry large insurance policies—much bigger than typical cars.

Depending on the cargo and type of truck, Colorado trucking companies may carry:

  • $750,000 to $5 million in liability coverage
  • Additional umbrella or excess policies
  • Specialized coverage for hazardous materials, cargo, or employee liability

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates insurance minimums for trucks operating across state lines.

But don’t let those requirements fool you—what you actually receive from these policies depends on how effectively your claim is handled.

Colorado’s In-State Minimums: What Trucking Companies Must Carry

For trucks that operate only within Colorado, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) sets minimum insurance requirements.

These policies must be current and verified, but not all trucking companies comply fully. At Fisher and Associates, when we investigate a truck crash, one of the first things we uncover is whether the truck was properly insured and if all relevant policies were disclosed.

Colorado Motor Carrier Insurance Requirements

What Trucking Insurance Covers—and What It Doesn’t

Trucking insurance isn’t a blank check. It’s a carefully written contract, filled with exclusions, limits, and legal gray areas.

Most policies will cover:

  • Bodily injury liability (to victims of a crash)
  • Property damage liability
  • Legal defense for the truck driver or company

But they often do everything possible to avoid covering:

  • The full cost of long-term care
  • Emotional trauma or pain and suffering (unless proven)
  • Future loss of income
  • Punitive damages (unless awarded by a court)

That’s why accepting a quick offer from a trucking insurance carrier can be a critical mistake. What seems “fair” upfront may leave you thousands—or even millions—short of what you need long-term.

One Crash, Multiple Policies: More Coverage If You Know Where to Look

Most trucking companies carry more than just one policy. There may be multiple layers of insurance, such as:

  • Primary liability policy (the base coverage)
  • Umbrella policy (for large claims above the primary limit)
  • Cargo insurance (which may include third-party injury riders)
  • Employer’s liability coverage
  • Independent contractor coverage, if the driver isn’t a direct employee

This is where experience matters. 

At Fisher and Associates, we don’t stop at the first policy number. 

We dig deep to uncover every possible source of compensation—including policies the trucking companies didn’t want you to find.

Why Insurers Rush to Settle—and Why You Shouldn’t

Commercial insurance companies are not reactive. They’re strategic.

Within hours of a crash, their adjusters may begin calling accident victims. Why? 

Because the longer they wait, the more likely you are to discover that:

  • Their driver violated federal safety rules
  • Their vehicle wasn’t properly maintained
  • Their records show a pattern of negligence

They’ll offer fast settlements that cover what’s easy to calculate: today’s bills. But they won’t account for:

  • Surgeries you’ll need later
  • Missed career opportunities
  • Mental health impacts
  • Chronic pain or disability

A trucking insurance policy might be worth millions—but you won’t see it unless someone fights for it.

Why Fisher and Associates Is The Right Law Firm For You

At Fisher and Associates, we know how to handle these cases because we’ve been in these types of high-stakes negotiations before.

  • Veteran-Led: We know how to succeed under pressure and stay focused in complex cases.
  • Attorney-First Model: You speak directly with a lawyer—not a clerk or case manager.
  • Rapid Response: We issue preservation letters immediately to prevent data loss.
  • Insurance Experience: We understand insurance policy structure and coverage limits, and know how to expose bad faith tactics.
  • Trial Ready: If the insurance companies won’t pay what’s fair, we are fully prepared to take them to court.

What to Do Now If You’re Dealing With Trucking Insurance

If you’ve been injured in a Colorado truck accident and are facing pressure to settle and a wall of insurance paperwork, don’t sign anything yet. And don’t go it alone.

Instead, take these three steps:

  1. Call Fisher and Associates for a Free Consultation
    We’ll review any settlement offers, explain your options, and help you understand your rights.
  2. Let Us Launch a Full Investigation
    We will uncover every policy and preserve critical evidence before it disappears.
  3. Focus on Healing While We Fight for Full Compensation
    We handle the insurance companies so you don’t have to. You focus on getting better.

Injured in a Truck Crash? Don’t Let the Insurance Company Write the Rules.

You deserve compensation that reflects what you’ve lost—and what you’ll need to rebuild. 

Call Fisher and Associates today for a 100% free consultation.

Paul Fisher

Paul Fisher founded Fisher & Associates P.C. in order to fight for justice and ensure accident victims receive the compensation they deserve. He is licensed to practice law in both the State of Colorado and the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, and focuses on all aspects of personal injury law, including car accidents, motorcycle accidents and insurance bad faith.

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