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An insurance policy can be 50+ pages of dense legal jargon, but for most truck owners, the entire story is told in just three key sections. If you are driving a high-value, heavy-duty diesel—often with thousands in aftermarket upgrades—reading your policy correctly is the difference between being fully covered and being out $70,000.
This is the most important document in your policy. It is usually the first or second page and acts as a "cheat sheet."
What to look for: This lists your Coverage Limits (e.g., $100k/$300k).
The Diesel Trap: Check the ACV (Actual Cash Value). If you’ve spent $15,000 on a new Cummins transmission and Kryptonite steering, but your policy is for a "stock" truck, the insurance company will likely ignore those upgrades in a total loss.
Deductibles: This is what you pay out of pocket before they kick in. If you have a $1,000 deductible, ensure you have that sitting in a "rainy day" fund.
This section defines the "who, what, and where."
The "Named Insured": Ensure every driver in your household is listed.
Definitions: Look at how they define "Relative" or "Business Use."
The Diesel Trap: If you use your Ram or Super Duty for side-hustle hauling or hotshotting but have a Personal Policy, the insurance company can (and will) deny your claim entirely if an accident happens while "working."
Liability: Covers damage you do to others. (Utah's minimum is often too low for heavy trucks that cause significant damage).
Collision: Covers damage to your truck from a crash.
Comprehensive: Covers "Acts of God"—fire, theft, hail, or hitting a deer on the way to the canyon.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM): This is vital. If someone in a compact car hits your $80k GMC and they only carry the state minimum of $25k in coverage, UIM is what pays the remaining $55k to fix your truck.
This is where insurance companies hide the "gotchas."
Wear and Tear: Insurance never pays for a blown turbo or a failed injector due to age. That is what a Warranty is for.
Racing/Off-Roading: Most policies exclude coverage if the incident happens on a "track" or during "competitive events" (like a dyno day or sled pull).
Custom Parts: Most standard policies only cover up to $500–$1,000 in aftermarket parts. If you have a Carli Suspension or H&S Turbo kit, you usually need a "Custom Parts and Equipment" (CPE) endorsement.
Read the "Endorsements": These are add-ons. Look for Gap Insurance if you have a large loan, and OEM Parts Coverage to ensure the shop doesn't have to use cheap "knock-off" body panels during a repair.
Verify Towing Limits: Standard roadside assistance often only covers "light-duty" towing. Ensure your policy covers Heavy-Duty Towing so you aren't stuck with a $500 bill to get your dually back to T3 Speed Shop.
Check for "Stated Value": For classic 12-valves or pristine LBZs, consider a Stated Value Policy so the insurance company agrees on the truck's worth before an accident happens.
Before you file your policy away, answer these three questions:
Is my deductible low enough that I can afford it today?
Does my CPE endorsement cover the actual cost of my aftermarket mods?
Is my Underinsured Motorist limit high enough to replace my entire truck?
These are often the state minimum requirements. In the event of an accident where you are at fault, this policy pays:
$25,000 Bodily Injury (Per Person): The maximum the insurer pays for medical bills or injuries for one individual.
$50,000 Bodily Injury (Per Accident): The total maximum the insurer pays for all people injured in the accident combined.
$25,000 Property Damage (Per Accident): The maximum paid to repair or replace the other person's vehicle or property (fences, poles, etc.).
Warning: If you drive a heavy-duty truck, $25,000 in property damage is often not enough. If you total a $60,000 SUV, you could be personally sued for the $35,000 difference.
This is considered the "Gold Standard" for responsible drivers and is highly recommended for owners of performance trucks.
$100,000 Bodily Injury (Per Person): Significant protection for serious medical emergencies.
$300,000 Bodily Injury (Per Accident): Covers medical costs for multiple passengers in the other vehicle.
$100,000 Property Damage (Per Accident): Provides enough coverage to replace most modern vehicles on the road today without dipping into your personal savings.
You don't need to read all 50+ pages. Focus on the Declarations Page (the "Dec Page"). This is your policy's summary and will list:
Named Insureds: Who is covered to drive.
Covered Vehicles: VIN, make, and model (ensure your VIN is 100% correct).
Coverage Limits: The 100/300/100 or 25/50/25 numbers discussed above.
Deductibles: The amount you pay out-of-pocket for Collision (accidents) or Comprehensive (theft, fire, hail) before insurance pays.
Endorsements: Specialized add-ons like "Custom Parts and Equipment" or "Gap Insurance."
If you need to confirm that you (or someone else) have active coverage:
Check the Digital App: Most carriers like Progressive, State Farm, or Geico provide a real-time digital ID card.
Contact the Carrier Directly: You can call the insurance company and provide the policy number or VIN to confirm the policy is in force.
DMV Verification: Many states have online portals (like Utah's Insure-Rite or Nevada's NVLIVE) where you can enter a plate or VIN to see if the state has a record of active liability insurance.
Check the "Effective Dates": Always verify that the current date falls between the "Effective" and "Expiration" dates on the Dec Page.
Contact us today at T3 Speed Shop if you are unsure of an aftermarket insurance policy for you diesel truck today!
