Flatbed trucks play a key role in the smooth operations of a number of industries, particularly manufacturing, construction, and transportation. Tons of flatbed loads are transported all across the country for shipping, manufacturing, sale, or display. Flatbed haulers ensure that commodities reach their destinations safely and intact.

Types of Cargo Carried on Flatbed Trucks
Flatbed trucks are designed to carry large and/or heavy cargo. Flatbed loads can range from containers to heavy equipment. Some of the most common flatbed loads include:

Tractors, Machinery, and Farm Equipment
Farm tractors, machinery, and other equipment can weigh a few tons at a minimum. Their size alone requires a carrier that can accommodate the machinery in terms of width, height, and weight. Flatbed trucks are ideal for carrying large and heavy equipment because they provide a secure and safe means of transport.

Miscellaneous Construction Materials
Construction materials such as heavy lumber, metal pipes and trusses, steel poles, and concrete slabs are far easier to transport and deliver as flatbed loads.

Baled Tires
Each year, the U.S. discards millions of rubber tires that, when not disposed of properly, can become fire hazards and create serious waste. To minimize waste and reuse tires, tire bales are produced and repurposed for building and construction. These are often used as retaining walls, impact barriers, road fill, and erosion control. A baled tire weighs about 1,000 lbs, which means that a single batch is often transported via flatbed trucks.

Dry Products in Bulk
Flatbed trucks are commonly used for moving Super Sacks – industrial fabric bags that contain dry products including grains, seeds, peanuts, sand, and fertilizer. These sacks have an estimated 2,000 pounds load capacity and are often loaded on pallets. These sacks are carried long distances to farms, manufacturing facilities, and construction sites.

What Type of Insurance is Available for Flatbed Loads?
Flatbed trucks are typically designed not to have sides or roofing. As such, they are vulnerable to external factors that could result to damage and/or loss to the load. The lack of side and rear barriers can also increase the risk of damage or injury to people or property. This is why flatbed loads must be protected with trucking insurance. Some of the most common insurance coverage available for flatbed trucking include:

Liability Coverage
Liability coverage insures against damage caused on other property due to the driver/operator’s fault. This is mandatory protection for all flatbed haulers.

Collision Coverage
Collision coverage provides insurance in case of damage caused by a road accident that involves another motorist.

Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage offers protection from the cost of damage that may be caused by certain external elements other than vehicles. This could include fire or theft.

Cargo Coverage
Cargo insurance offers protection to flatbed loads in case of damage during the transport.

Storage and Towing Coverage
This type of insurance provides protection for storage and towing.

Loading and Unloading Coverage
Covers issues such as loss or damage that may occur during the loading and unloading of the commodities.

Loss Mitigation
This type of insurance protects against further losses after a documented accident.

Combined Deductible
This insurance allows the hauler to pay a single deductible instead of multiple deductibles for cargo, collision, liability, etc.

Earned Freight
Earned freight offers coverage for income lost in case of an accident or failure to deliver the shipment.