Logging, Trucking, and Hauling Insurance Overview
Wisconsin has a long history of logging, reaching back before it was a state. The logging industry took off in 1840 and was Wisconsin’s most well-known industry for many years. The logging of famous Wisconsin white pine made room for the many farms that now make Wisconsin America’s Dairyland and grew Wisconsin’s economy in its early years of statehood. Today, loggers make up a vital industry as they continue to supply timber to buyers near and far.
Logging remains an essential but hazardous job. From cutting down trees in a forest to operating a logging truck on public roads, insurance protection is needed every step of the way.
Why Logging, Trucking, and Hauling Insurance is Important
Logging is a dangerous job and takes years to master. Before a tree is cut down, logging companies have to assess the land, choose the right trees to cut down, and bring in people and workers to locations that could be easy to access or incredibly remote. When loggers have cleared the trees, they are hauled to a sawmill on a logging truck, manufactured into boards, and then transported elsewhere.
Logging involves many moving parts, including large and expensive equipment. The industry is inherently riskier than many others. Logging, Trucking, and Hauling Insurance can help cover the risk that logging crews face. Logging Insurance can offer coverage for small operations and larger enterprises with a larger workforce and equipment.
Logging, Trucking, and Hauling Insurance Coverage
Insurance is beneficial for logging crews of all sizes. Insurance offers a level of financial protection against the hazards that logging presents. Logging, Trucking, and Hauling Insurance can include the following coverage types:
- Commercial General Liability – Can offer coverage for business activities that cause bodily harm to someone or damage another’s property.
- Equipment Coverage – Some logging equipment can be costly; without adequate insurance coverage, out of pocket expenses to repair or replace this equipment could be prohibitive.
- Commercial Property Insurance – Can help protect a logging crew’s property from theft, damage, vandalism, and other covered harms. This coverage can help safeguard business assets like buildings, machinery, inventory, and more. Commercial Property Insurance can help protect the physical assets of a logging operation.
- Workers Compensation – Is required for many jobs in Wisconsin that employ three or more people. If a logging operation is part of a farming operation, this regulation may be different. For self-employed loggers or small logging crews, these regulations may also change.
- Commercial Auto Insurance – Can be beneficial for logging crews that use vehicles for business purposes. Commercial Trucking Insurance is required for logging trucks that haul timber. Commercial trucks must have Liability Insurance, Uninsured Motorist Coverage, and may benefit from other optional auto coverages.
- Employer Practices Liability: EPLI, or Employment Practices Liability Insurance, is a type of Liability Insurance covering wrongful acts during the process of employment. This can include wrongful termination or failure to promote lawsuits, among others.
- Pollution Liability: Logging, trucking, and hauling can create pollution issues when an accident occurs. Pollution Liability Coverage helps cover costs relating to the aftermath of the accident.
- Inland Marine – Inland Marine Insurance helps protect tools and equipment when they are on the job. This can include chainsaws, and cargo such as timber while it is en route to another location, like a mill.
These coverages work to create a base level of insurance protection, and logging crews can add extra coverage to meet their particular needs. Those additional policies could include, Loading and Unloading Liability, power line damage, or fire damage. Depending on the size and scope of your logging crew, varying levels of insurance protection might be needed. Our licensed agents at Cordova Insurance Agency can help you choose the right insurance coverage to meet the needs of your individual logging operation.
Related Policies
Logging crews could also benefit from related insurance policies to fill in gaps in coverage gaps. Logging crews can be as diverse as the forest you work in, and every company will require different levels of insurance coverage. The following insurance policies could be beneficial to your logging operation.
- Commercial Umbrella Insurance– This policy offers an additional amount of Liability Coverage for your business. This is beneficial for companies that have more assets than are covered by their base liability policies.
- Crime Insurance – Helps protect businesses against theft of money or other assets. This theft could be from employees or other outside parties. Some Crime Insurance could cover instances of fraud, forgery, or identity theft.
- Business Income Insurance – Also known as Business Interruption Insurance. Suppose your business is forced to shut down operations because of a natural disaster or other damage. In that case, this policy could be beneficial for making up the financial losses incurred during that time.
Contact Cordova Insurance Agency for more information on the insurance policies that might be right for you.
Areas We Serve
Cordova Insurance Agency is proud to be located in the heart of beautiful Merrill, Wisconsin. Our team serves Merrill and the surrounding area, including Wausau, Tomahawk, Minocqua, Woodruff, and more.
Final Thoughts
Logging is risky, but finding the right insurance policy doesn’t have to be a hassle. Cordova Insurance Agency is here to discuss your Logging, Trucking, and Hauling Insurance options from start to finish. We want to make sure your operation is covered to keep this Wisconsin industry thriving.
To learn more about Logging, Trucking, and Hauling Insurance, contact the Cordova Insurance Agency at (715) 536-9576. Our licensed agents will be happy to answer any questions you have.
