Picture this: A veteran truck driver slips while climbing down from his rig after a long haul, twisting his knee on the icy pavement. Suddenly, he’s out for weeks, loads are delayed, and the rush to find a temporary replacement upends your schedule.
In an instance like that, it becomes clear that workers compensation isn’t just a compliance checkbox for trucking; it is a business continuity tool. When a driver or shop employee gets hurt, your exposure isn’t limited to medical bills. A serious claim can create downtime, staffing gaps, and a premium spike that follows you for years.
The right workers compensation program pairs coverage with loss control and claims management so injuries are prevented when possible—and handled efficiently when they occur.
coverage built for trucking operations
Joe Morten & Son’s workers compensation program is designed for motor carriers and fleet owners, with underwriting and policy structures that reflect the realities of trucking. Through Great West Casualty Company, the program offers broad coverage options, including All States coverage, so carriers with multi-state exposure can simplify how they protect drivers and employees.
Because fleets are not all the same size or at the same stage of growth, Joe Morten & Son supports multiple program structures. Here’s a quick snapshot of the main options:
- Guaranteed Cost: With this type of policy, the only variables that may change your premium (either up or down) are the experience modification factor (e-mod) and payroll.
- Large Deductible: Your premium is typically lower than that of a guaranteed cost policy because your company receives a deductible credit for paying out smaller claims. Currently, more than 40 states allow large-deductible plans.
- Excess Workers Compensation: This option is available for trucking companies that have been granted self-insured status by a state. It protects your company from the obligation to pay workers compensation claims that are greater than your self-insured limit.
We proactively assemble these options to help you choose a structure that fits your operation, risk appetite, and growth plans.
filling the gaps: endorsements and related coverages
Workers compensation gets complicated when you operate through multiple regulatory contexts. For employers with exposure in monopolistic fund states (North Dakota, Ohio, Washington, and Wyoming), Joe Morten & Son can add Stop-Gap Employers’ Liability to complete the protection that a standard workers compensation policy normally includes. Other States coverage is also addressed to ensure incidental exposures are handled correctly when operations extend into additional states.
Trucking also relies on owner-operators and contract drivers. Since state workers compensation laws do not typically cover independent contractors, Joe Morten & Son offers Occupational Accident & Contingent Casualty (OCC/ACC) options that can provide benefits for accidental death, dismemberment, paralysis, disability, and accident-related medical expenses while under dispatch.
For certain operations, single-unit and fleet owner-operator workers compensation policies may also be available to align with lease terms and state rules.
risk management and claims support that protects your bottom line
Coverage is only half the equation. Joe Morten & Son highlights proactive injury reduction through risk management resources. It is especially important because trucking claims frequently result from slips, trips, and falls around the tractor-trailer, as well as strains during loading/unloading. CDC/NIOSH safety guidance for long-haul drivers highlights practical controls, including three-point contact, secure handholds, and keeping footwear clean and dry.
When incidents do occur, strong claims handling keeps costs and downtime from ballooning. Joe Morten & Son offers claims services through Great West Casualyt Company that include prompt investigations, access to a multi-PPO network to help contain costs, a large pharmacy network for timely prescriptions, pharmacy and medical bill review, and evidence-based resources to support appropriate treatment and a safe, timely return to work.
The program also supports light and transitional duty options, often the difference between a claim that closes cleanly and one that becomes a long-term productivity drain.
the name you can trust
At Joe Morten & Son, Inc., we work with trucking operations to protect their bottom line. If you’re in the market for an agency that puts you first, we’re here to help.
Note: These lists are not intended to be all-inclusive.
We offer commercial trucking coverage in more than 45 states. Check out more information in your state:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont,
Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
This material is intended to be a broad overview of the subject matter and is provided for informational purposes only. Joe Morten & Son, Inc. does not provide legal advice to its insureds or other parties, nor does it advise insureds or other parties on employment-related issues, therefore the subject matter is not intended to serve as legal or employment advice for any issue(s) that may arise in the operations of its insureds or other parties. Legal advice should always be sought from legal counsel. Joe Morten & Son, Inc. shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss, action, or inaction alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the information contained herein. Reprinted with permission from Great West Casualty Company.