Insurance Providers

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by The_SnowMan710, Jan 28, 2025.

  1. The_SnowMan710

    The_SnowMan710 Bobtail Member

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    What about the "corporate veil" and protections like that? Everyone around here uses LLC's. I don't think I've heard of anyone not operating with an LLC or some other legal business entity.
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2025
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  3. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    If you’re the driver of the truck your LLC owns and you get in a wreck there won’t be any protection for your assets.
     
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  4. abyliks

    abyliks Road Train Member

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    been sole prop since 2017 when I started, just filed the llc stuff because I already have the lawyer handling a non fault accident and I might add another truck so that’s when it’s time
     
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  5. Iamoverit

    Iamoverit Road Train Member

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    I highly recommend having everything under an LLC. Not for the protection but for the sale of the LLC/MC/DOT when/if you're done with it all. Also, if you ever want to have more rental options for equipment you'll have more places to rent from because many do not work with sole props.
     
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  6. The_SnowMan710

    The_SnowMan710 Bobtail Member

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    Dec 17, 2022
    NE Nebraska
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    You'll have that no matter what you do, though. An LLC won't protect you 100% but it's still better than 0%, not?

    I may add a second truck at some point depending how a few things pan out. I prefer to operate from a standpoint of "better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it". If the time comes and I decide to hire then I can strike while the iron is hot, so to speak.

    I don't intend to sell things off right away but part on my business planning was having an exit strategy, whether it's sooner or later. This included having a business name that doesn't contain my actual name. I won't do it forever and eventually the torch will be passed on or sold off.
     
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  7. crackinwise

    crackinwise Medium Load Member

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    The biggest advantage with the LLC is you would be taxed as a pass-through entity which is similar to a sole proprietor, but you can also choose to be taxed as a corporation. That provides you with opportunity to take advantage of some tax benefits you would not get as a SP. And there is some liability protection but its limited, hence the LLC moniker. The LLC allows me to be taxed as an corporation so I can pay myself a lower but reasonable salary, so I pay less self-employment taxes then take the rest as a distribution and pay ordinary income tax on that portion. It all depends on your situation and business plan to be honest.
     
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  8. The_SnowMan710

    The_SnowMan710 Bobtail Member

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    NE Nebraska
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    Follow up to this: The insurance lady I was working with finally got back to me today. She works with about 5 different companies through her agency so she's able to shop around. Regardless, Progressive is still the only one that will work with me which came as no surprise given what we've all talked about here. She said she threw in just about anything I could possibly need with a policy and even more on top of that. She said she was trying to make this quote on the higher end of things so that there are no surprises down the road, if I pursue this. Even so, the numbers were really loose as I don't have anything set up yet but the quote came in less than $10k per year. There's a $2k discount if the year is paid up right away. She also said that after one year of clean driving the numbers would come down and after three years other companies will be interested in working with me. My clean driving record and good credit score worked in my favor. I estimated about $15k in all the numbers I've been running so this is nice that it will most likely come in under $10k. A big piece of the puzzle fell into place today.
     
  9. Iamoverit

    Iamoverit Road Train Member

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    Credit is a big factor with insurance policy rates. Glad to hear it's affordable for you and thanks for the follow up.
     
  10. Oxbow

    Oxbow Road Train Member

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    I should think running side-dump locally/regionally would be considerably less expensive than OTR as far as insurance goes. Shouldn't need cargo insurance because losing a load of gravel isn't going to cost much.
     
  11. crackinwise

    crackinwise Medium Load Member

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    Wow that's actually a great quote compared to what I'm getting here in Florida. Markets play a big factor as well and the Florida market has insurance so high that you cannot possibly turn a profit with some of the quotes I've received. Congrats.
     
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