Occupational Accident Insurance for Truck Drivers in Texas
Independent contractors usually aren’t covered by a motor carrier’s workers’ compensation. Occupational accident insurance provides medical, disability and death benefits if you’re hurt on the job. Lavon Insurance helps Texas owner-operators and motor carriers compare occupational accident coverage from multiple insurers.
- Built for owner-operators and independent contractors
- Medical expenses for work-related injuries
- Weekly disability income while you can’t drive
- Accidental death and dismemberment benefits
- Often required by motor carrier leases
What Is Occupational Accident Insurance?
Occupational accident insurance, often called occ acc, pays specified benefits when an eligible independent contractor is injured or killed in a work-related accident. It is designed for drivers who are not employees, and so are not covered by their motor carrier’s workers’ compensation.
Truck drivers do more than drive. Climbing in and out of the cab, coupling trailers, securing loads and working around docks all create injury risks. When you can’t work, the bills keep coming, and occupational accident coverage helps fill that gap.
What Occupational Accident Insurance Can Pay
Benefits are set by the policy, not by state law, so amounts and terms vary. These are the benefits most occ acc plans include.
| Benefit | What It Typically Pays |
|---|---|
| Accident medical expense | Medical bills for a covered work injury, up to the policy maximum |
| Temporary total disability | A weekly benefit while you can’t work, often a percentage of your average weekly earnings up to a weekly maximum, after a waiting period |
| Continuous or permanent total disability | Ongoing payments if an injury keeps you from working long term, subject to policy limits |
| Accidental death | A lump-sum benefit to your beneficiaries after a covered fatal accident |
| Dismemberment | A scheduled benefit for covered loss of a limb, sight or hearing |
| Survivor benefits | Additional payments to a spouse or dependent children on some plans |
Occupational Accident vs. Workers’ Compensation
The two can look alike, but they are built for different workers and work differently when you’re hurt.
| Feature | Occupational Accident | Workers’ Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Independent contractors and owner-operators | Employees |
| Who buys it | The contractor, or a motor carrier program the contractor pays into | The employer |
| How benefits are set | By the insurance policy, with set limits | By state workers’ compensation law |
| Typical benefits | Medical, disability, accidental death and dismemberment, up to policy maximums | Medical, income and death benefits set by statute |
Workers’ Comp Is Optional in Texas
Texas is the only state that lets private employers choose not to carry workers’ compensation. About 28% of Texas private employers are “nonsubscribers.” Even when a motor carrier carries workers’ comp for its employees, independent contractors are usually not covered by it.
Source: Texas Department of Insurance nonsubscription report
Whether a driver is legally an employee or an independent contractor depends on how the work is actually controlled, not on what the contract calls it. Occupational accident insurance is not a substitute for understanding those rules or for workers’ compensation where it applies.
Need coverage for employees? See our workers’ compensation insurance page.
Occupational Accident for Leased Owner-Operators and Motor Carriers
For Leased Owner-Operators
Many motor carriers require leased owner-operators to carry occupational accident coverage. Some offer a carrier program and deduct the cost from your settlements.
Buying your own policy can give you more control over benefits and price, as long as it meets your lease’s requirements. Pair it with non-trucking liability and physical damage for a complete owner-operator package.
For Motor Carriers Using Contractors
Motor carriers that lease on owner-operators often require occupational accident coverage so injured contractors have benefits.
Many carriers also add contingent liability coverage, which can respond if an injured contractor later claims to be an employee. We can help structure both alongside your truck liability program.
What to Compare on Occupational Accident Policies
The cheapest plan can pay far less when you need it. Compare these before you buy:
- Accident medical maximum
- Weekly disability benefit amount
- Disability waiting period
- How long disability benefits last
- Accidental death benefit
- Dismemberment schedule
- Survivor and dependent benefits
- Deductibles
- How a covered accident is defined
- Exclusions, such as pre-existing conditions
- Whether it meets your lease requirements
- Individual policy or carrier program
Common Ways Truck Drivers Get Hurt
Slips & Falls
Climbing in and out of the cab, on catwalks, trailers and icy or wet surfaces.
Loading & Unloading
Handling freight, pallets and equipment at docks and job sites.
Securing Loads
Strains and injuries from tarping, chaining and strapping cargo.
Coupling Equipment
Hooking and unhooking trailers, landing gear and fifth wheels.
Road Accidents
Serious collisions that can keep a driver off the road for months.
Yard & Terminal Hazards
Moving equipment and traffic at yards, warehouses and customer sites.
Getting an Occupational Accident Quote
Lavon Insurance is an independent agency. We compare occupational accident plans from multiple insurers.
Tell Us Your Situation
Whether you’re leased on, run your own authority or use contractors, and what your lease requires.
We Compare Benefits
We line up medical, disability and death benefits side by side, not just the premium.
You Get Covered
Choose a plan, and we send proof of coverage to your motor carrier.
Frequently Asked Questions About Occupational Accident Insurance
What is occupational accident insurance for truck drivers?
Occupational accident insurance pays specified medical, disability and death benefits when an eligible independent contractor, such as an owner-operator, is injured or killed in a work-related accident.
Is occupational accident the same as workers’ compensation?
No. Workers’ compensation covers employees and its benefits are set by state law. Occupational accident covers independent contractors and its benefits are set by the policy, with defined limits.
Is workers’ compensation required in Texas?
Texas is the only state that lets private employers choose not to carry workers’ compensation. Independent contractors are usually not covered by a motor carrier’s workers’ compensation either way.
Do owner-operators need occupational accident insurance?
It isn’t required by law, but many motor carriers require it for leased owner-operators, and it may be the only work-injury coverage an owner-operator has.
Does occupational accident insurance cover lost income?
Most plans include a temporary total disability benefit that pays weekly while you can’t work, often a percentage of your average weekly earnings up to a maximum, after a waiting period.
Does occupational accident cover injuries while driving?
Generally yes, if the accident happens while you are working and meets the policy’s definition of a covered occupational accident.
Can a motor carrier require occupational accident insurance?
Yes. Many motor carriers require leased owner-operators to carry occupational accident coverage, either through the carrier’s program or an individual policy that meets the lease requirements.
Can I buy my own policy instead of my carrier’s program?
Often yes, if your lease allows it and the policy meets the carrier’s benefit requirements. Comparing both can help you find better benefits or a lower cost.
Is occupational accident insurance the same as health insurance?
No. Occupational accident only covers work-related accidents. Health insurance covers illness and injuries whether or not they happen at work.
What do I need for an occupational accident quote?
Plan to share your date of birth, the motor carrier you’re leased to or your own authority details, your lease requirements, your average weekly earnings and the benefits you want.
Coverage That Works With Occupational Accident
See how it all fits together in our guide to trucking insurance policies or our overview of trucking insurance in Texas.
Occupational Accident Insurance in Lavon & Throughout Texas
We help owner-operators and motor carriers across Texas, including these North Texas communities:
Protect Yourself If You’re Hurt on the Job
Tell us about your contractor arrangement and lease. We’ll compare occupational accident plans that fit your needs and requirements.
Insurance coverage, benefits, exclusions, definitions, limits, deductibles, eligibility and availability vary by policy and insurance carrier. Occupational accident insurance is not a substitute for workers’ compensation where it is required. This page is general information and does not modify any insurance policy, contractor agreement, lease or applicable law.