How to Lower Insurance Premiums for Saltwater Hauling Companies
- Nate Jones, CPCU, ARM, CLCS, AU
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Saltwater hauling remains one of the highest‑risk transportation segments in the oil & gas industry. Haulers transport produced water, a hazardous, chemically complex waste stream containing salts, hydrocarbons, and metals. The U.S. Geological Survey confirms produced water can contaminate soil and water through spills or handling mistakes, creating human‑health and environmental exposure risks.
Although these exposures drive high insurance costs, saltwater hauling companies can reduce premiums without cutting safety by improving operational controls that insurers reward.
1. Strengthen Driver Safety & Training Programs
Insurance carriers price saltwater hauling as high‑hazard trucking due to rollover risks, long travel distances, and contamination exposure. Strong driver training helps lower auto, workers’ comp, and umbrella premiums.
Key improvements include:
Defensive‑driving and tanker‑specific training
Spill‑prevention procedures and site‑safety protocols
Better safety performance reduces claim frequency, a major factor in premium reduction.
2. Maintain OSHA‑Aligned Safety Compliance
Produced water haulers operate under OSHA’s oil & gas extraction safety requirements (29 CFR 1910), which cover workplace hazards on well sites and disposal facilities. Strong compliance documentation shows insurers that your operation controls risk effectively.
Provide insurers with:
Updated safety manuals
JSA procedures
OSHA 300/300A logs
Weekly safety meeting records
Drug & alcohol program documentation
Insurers reward companies with proven safety systems.
3. Reduce Spill Exposure With Better Equipment & Maintenance
Spills are a leading cause of major losses in oilfield trucking. A 2025 hazmat truck crash demonstrated how thousands of gallons spilled into waterways, resulting in massive cleanup operations and environmental damage.
Invest in:
Regular hose/valve inspections
Secured load protocols
Tank pressure checks
Preventive maintenance schedules
Insurers significantly discount accounts with reduced spill risk.
4. Improve Hiring, Screening & Workforce Practices
Saltwater hauling companies with structured hiring and screening practices (MVR checks, CDL verification, medical clearances) show fewer severe claims. Better workforce controls also lower workers’ comp premiums, which are heavily based on claim history and employee classification.
5. Work With an Insurance Agency That Specializes in Oilfield Risks
Most carriers do not write saltwater hauling because of the high spill and injury exposure. Working with an oilfield‑focused agency gives you access to carriers who understand:
Produced water operations
SWD facility risks
Auto pollution endorsements
Operator‑required limits
MSA and ISNetworld compliance
Wexford Insurance works with oilfield insurance markets nationwide and helps haulers reduce premiums through better coverage structure, risk controls, and proactive carrier negotiations.
Lower Your Premiums Without Sacrificing Safety
Wexford Insurance specialises in insurance for saltwater hauling companies including Commercial Auto, Workers’ Comp, Pollution Liability, GL, and Umbrella.
👉 Request your saltwater hauling insurance quote from Wexford Insurance today and start lowering premiums safely and strategically.
