Truck, Trailer & Vacuum Tank Insurance Guide for Saltwater Haulers
- Nate Jones, CPCU, ARM, CLCS, AU
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Saltwater (produced water) haulers face unique risk: hazardous loads, long rural routes, and frequent loading/unloading at SWDs. Produced water is chemically complex with salts, hydrocarbons, and metals, so even small spills can trigger environmental claims and cleanup requirements. Highway incidents with hazardous liquids show how a single crash can escalate into wildlife kills, waterway contamination, and large‑scale remediation, costs a standard auto policy may not fully cover without the right endorsements.
Below is the coverage stack operators typically expect and underwriters reward.
1) Commercial Auto (Primary Liability + Physical Damage)
What it covers: Third‑party bodily injury/property damage (primary auto liability), plus collision/comprehensive on tractors and trailers (physical damage).
Why it matters: Tanker rollovers and off‑lease incidents can be severe. Make sure auto pollution endorsements are addressed, many auto forms exclude pollutant releases unless specifically endorsed.
2) Trailer & Vacuum Tank Coverage (Equipment/Inland Marine)
What it covers: Non‑auto physical damage to vacuum tanks, pumps, hoses, and specialised trailer components; can be written as Inland Marine/Contractors Equipment.
Why it matters: Hose failures, pump breakdowns, and tank damage are frequent shop‑ticket items that can sideline a unit and create claims exposure. Logging serials/values and maintaining preventive maintenance helps underwriting.
What it covers: Sudden & accidental spills during loading/unloading or in transit; emergency response, soil/water remediation, third‑party BI/PD, and regulatory costs.
Why it matters: Produced water releases pose human‑health and environmental risks; regulators scrutinise handling and spill response. A dedicated pollution form (or properly structured endorsements) is critical for saltwater hauling fleets.
What it covers: Premises/operations liability away from the vehicle—e.g., a contractor or third party injured during hookups on a pad.
Why it matters: Operators often require GL in MSAs alongside auto and pollution.
What it covers: Medical bills, lost wages, rehab for injured drivers/field techs.
Why it matters: Slip‑and‑falls at SWDs, hose handling, and exposure risks are common. Programs aligned with OSHA’s oil & gas safety framework (29 CFR 1910) strengthen WC outcomes and acceptance with operators.
What it covers: Catastrophic losses over Auto/GL/WC (employers’ liability).Why it matters: Many majors set $5M–$10M aggregate requirements for high‑volume haulers.
Get an Operator‑Ready Program with Wexford Insurance
Wexford Insurance specialises in oil & gas fleets nationwide.
We place Auto, GL, Pollution, WC, Inland Marine, and Umbrella with carriers that understand saltwater hauling and MSA requirements.
👉 Request a saltwater hauler insurance quote from Wexford Insurance today and protect every mile, hookup, and disposal run.
