Good insurance for new authority?

I just started with my own authority after seventeen years leased to the same carrier.

I received quotes with OOIDA and Great Western Casualty Company for full coverage for tractor and dry van trailer, no accidents ever, and driving a Class A for twenty one years.

I called Great Western first because a lot of drivers say they’re the least expensive.

OOIDA quoted me $12k a year originally, but once they ran my MVR it went down to $11k with discounts for good driving.

Great Western quoted me a little over $13k with the same criteria, but it was going to be insured through Progressive.

The one thing about Great Western (Progressive) was the quote was based on how many miles from your authority’s address were you going to run determined what your rate was.

If you were going to run less than a 500 mile radius from your base, the quote was less expensive, the farther out you run, the quote was more expensive.

With OOIDA, the quote was the same whether you decide to run local, regional or all 48 States.

Of course I went with OOIDA.

 

Can I pick your brain for a minute?

If I'm leased to say for example Mercer, and want to get my own authority, can I apply for my authority and continue to drive for Mercer during the 21 day waiting period, or do I have to quit before I apply to get my own authority?

 

You can still drive for Mercer during and even after your waiting period, but whoever’s authority you run under, you need to use their insurance.

If you run with your own authority, you use your own insurance.

 

That makes sense. Progressive cargo insurance doesnt cover livestock. Thats why. It says in the booklet they send you. Theres alot of things they dont cover.