For carriers and owner-operators running Pennsylvania’s freight corridors — the Turnpike, I-80, I-81, and I-95 — July marks the halfway point of the year, and it’s a natural time to check your insurance program against what’s actually changed on your operation since January.
IFTA Second-Quarter Filing: A Good Trigger for a Coverage Review
Your second-quarter IFTA return, covering April through June, is due July 31. Pulling together mileage and fuel records for that filing is also the easiest moment all year to catch policy mismatches — vehicles added or retired, drivers who’ve changed routes, or mileage that’s climbed well past what your policy assumes. If your fleet’s actual operation has shifted, your carrier needs to know before a claim forces the conversation.
Summer Construction Zones on Pennsylvania’s Freight Corridors
PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission concentrate major roadwork in the summer months, and construction zones on I-76, I-81, and I-80 mean narrowed lanes, shifting traffic patterns, and higher-than-normal rear-end and lane-change exposure for long-haul trucks. It’s worth confirming your liability limits reflect current risk, not the risk profile from a slower season.
Heat-Related Equipment and Cargo Risk
Sustained summer heat is hard on tires, brakes, and cooling systems, and it raises the stakes for reefer units hauling temperature-sensitive freight. A blown tire or a failed reefer unit in July isn’t just a mechanical problem — it’s a cargo claim and a liability exposure at the same time. Confirm your cargo coverage limits still match what you’re actually hauling in peak summer months.
Hiring Ahead of Peak Season
Many Pennsylvania carriers bring on seasonal or additional drivers over the summer to prepare for the fall and holiday freight surge. Every new driver needs to be added to your commercial auto policy — along with an updated MVR and qualification file — before they’re behind the wheel, not after.
What Pennsylvania Carriers Should Carry
Coverage needs vary by operation, but most Pennsylvania carriers need primary auto liability at or above FMCSA minimums (higher for hazmat or larger vehicles), physical damage, cargo, general liability, workers’ compensation, and often bobtail and non-trucking liability for owner-operators leased to a carrier. PUC-regulated intrastate carriers should confirm their filing is current alongside their policy.
Let Reed, Wertz and Roadman, Inc. Help
At Reed, Wertz and Roadman, Inc., we build insurance programs for Pennsylvania carriers and owner-operators — from single-truck operations to multi-driver fleets running the Turnpike and beyond. We help you:
- Match your policy to your actual mileage and route mix
- Confirm cargo and liability limits ahead of peak season
- Get new drivers properly added before they run a load
- Review PUC filings alongside your coverage
Contact Reed, Wertz and Roadman, Inc. this month for a mid-year policy review — before Q4 freight volume makes it harder to find the time.
This content is for general informational purposes and does not constitute insurance, tax, or legal advice. Coverage requirements vary by operation type, cargo, and regulatory classification. Please consult a licensed commercial insurance professional for guidance specific to your trucking operation.