Every truck driver has more than enough experience to be aware of the hazards associated with bad weather, but it is good to be aware of road conditions that may exist in different types of inclement weather and how to respond to those conditions. After all, being prepared for the weather will save time on the road and prevent any kind of loss that will require coverage by your truck insurance To begin with, it is important to always be aware of weather conditions along the route. Have alternative routes available in case extreme weather will make it difficult or impossible to take the original route. Listen to local radio and information from other drivers on CB.

Rain
Hydroplaning can occur when there is water on the road, but even a light rain can be quite dangerous. When the road first becomes wet, the oils that have collected are lifted, creating an extremely slick film across the surface of the road. In addition to this, small amounts of water act as a leveling agent, smoothing the normally rough surface of the road, which reduces traction by approximately 30%.
-Visibility can be improved by turning on lights and defroster.
-Avoid sudden changes in speed.
-Try to drive in the tracks of the vehicle ahead of you.
-Puddles often hide deep potholes.
-If the truck begins to hydroplane, keep the steering wheel straight and take your foot off the gas. Do not hit the brakes or try to steer. As the truck slows, it will settle back onto the road.

Flooding
Do not attempt to drive through a flooded roadway. While trucks have a greater weight to handle deeper and stronger waters, there is an increased chance of the floodwater turning the trailer against the momentum of the truck or causing the rig to overturn. If there is a flash flood, Abandon the truck and move to high ground.

Fog
-If you see fog ahead, slow down before entering the fog.
-Use low beam headlights in conjunction with fog lights.
-Turn on defroster and windshield wipers.
-Be alert for slow moving or stopped vehicles ahead.
-It is often helpful to roll down your windows so you can hear other vehicles.
-Stay on the right of the road.
-If the fog is too heavy pull as far off the road to the right as you can without endangering the truck and wait for the fog to lift.

Snow and Ice
-Be aware that bridges and overpasses freeze first.
-Keep the windows clear.
-Maintain a steady and slow speed.
-Be cautious when using brakes.
-Antilock brakes work best when constant, firm pressure is applied. If necessary, push the brake pedal all the way to the floor.
-Remember that your braking area will be between three and twelve times greater than normal.
-If the tires become stuck in snow, straighten the wheels and accelerate slowly. Use sand or cinders under the tires to gain friction.
-In the event of a blizzard, stay in the truck. Leave a window partially open. Make sure that exhaust pipes are clear of snow. Run the engine and heater for ten minutes every hour.

High Winds
During strong winds, remain aware of the movement of your trailer. Also be aware of other drivers around you. Wind conditions can cause smaller vehicles to be sucked under the trailer.

Tornadoes
Never try to outrun a tornado. If a tornado is near, leave the truck and find shelter. If no shelter is available, lay flat in a ditch or depression.

Thunderstorms
Your truck is the safest place during a thunderstorm. When parking, stay away from trees. Watch for down power lines and trees.

Hurricanes
HOW TO BUY TRUCK INSURANCE THE RIGHT WAY Which is the right insurance company for you?
Your route should never pass anywhere near a hurricane watch. Hurricanes approach slowly enough that you should always have time to alter your route. Companies that insure motor carriers, trucks, and drivers are not all the same. Some sell through independent agents, others through their own sales staffs. Some specialize in commercial truck insurance, while others sell it as one of a secondary line of coverages they offer. Some companies specialize in specific niches within the motor-carrier industry, such as large fleets, temperature-controlled equipment, or owner-operators. Some cover thousands of small customers, while others only handle a few big ones. This intense specialization suggests your first insurance-buying decision: Buy from a company that specializes in truck insurance. Why ? Because nonspecialists too often overlook specialized details. For example, a non-specialist might not know that owner-operators may have to upgrade their coverage on a temporary or single-trip basis to qualify for a lucrative back-haul delivering a commodity they don't normally carry. A specialist would know to ask whether you need this coverage and could recommend a policy that provides it at a price an owner-operator can afford.

A non-specialist agent may be less knowledgeable about USDOT's MCS-90 endorsement, or about the motor-carrier filing requirements of the various state regulatory agencies. Picture yourself detained late some night in a weigh station alongside the interstate as a trooper pores over your insurance papers and tells you you're grounded because your proof-of-insurance is not on file with your home registration state. Non-specialists, basing their underwriting decisions on auto or light truck criteria, are sometimes overly restrictive regarding the number of moving violations a driver is permitted. They can be unfamiliar, too, with the high/wide load and weight limitations in different states. There's a good chance, too, that the non-specialist company uses adjusters who, themselves, are not trucking specialists. They may be independents who work for your insurer as needed, mixing a few truck accident investigations into a workload focused mostly on fires, or auto or industrial accidents. Finally, specialists and non-specialists differ greatly in the way they investigate and verify claims. Because specialists understand that when your truck is out of service, you're closed for business, they'll get an experienced truck claims adjuster to an accident scene at 2 a.m., if needed. The adjuster will immediately take photos, interview witnesses and public safety officials, and expedite removal of your damaged unit to a qualified repair shop. A non-specialist may see no harm in waiting until the next day, after witnesses have disappeared, skid marks have faded or become obscured, and the responding officers are off-duty and sleeping. But the difference can be crucial.

Why is Truck Insurance More Costly?
Trucks cost more to insure than cars for four main reasons:
* Drivers of trucks, as a whole, don’t have great driving records. So while you may be accident and ticket free (and make sure you get a discount for that), you're still going to be paying for the mistakes of other truck drivers.
* Trucks cost more than cars, so the insurance costs more too, just in case the insurance company has to replace your truck.
* Trucks are big and heavy. In an accident, they tend to inflict more damage on smaller vehicles and more injuries to the occupants of those vehicles. If the accident is your fault, that’s more money from your insurance company.
* Trucks are stolen more often than cars.

Finding Cheap Truck Insurance
The good news is that you can find cheap truck insurance. It helps if you buy the right truck: one that has a good safety record and isn’t a prime target of thieves. This information is available online or you can check with your insurance professional.

You can also save on truck insurance by comparison shopping among insurance companies. Truck insurance quotes vary widely from one insurance company to another, but you can easily get multiple quotes from A-rated insurance companies. All you have to do is go online to an insurance comparison website and type in your insurance information. The website will match your information and needs with various insurance companies, which will then send you quotes. You just review the quotes and select the best one for you. The best insurance comparison websites even have a chat feature, so if you have any questions about truck insurance you can get answers from knowledgeable insurance professionals (see link below). When determining insurance premiums, a truck insurance provider takes many factors into consideration. One of the most important factors is safety features. Having working safety features will greatly reduce insurance rates. Additionally, many safety features are required by law.

Lighting and Reflectors
All lights are required to be visible and not covered. This means that they cannot be hidden by the cargo or parts of the trailer or be covered with dirt. All tail-lights must be red. Amber tail-lights are not allowed. Additionally:

-Two turn signals are required on the rear of the truck to alert passing vehicles of lane changes and turns.
-Trailers must have rear side marker lights 60 inches from the ground.
-Trailers must have two reflex reflectors at the rear indicating the width of the trailer.

Retroreflective sheeting is also a requirement for trailers. The total length of the sheeting on the sides should be half the length of the trailer. It should also extend across the rear of the trailer. Front fog lamps are an excellent safety feature. If they are used, it must be in conjunction with headlights, rather than as an alternative to headlights.

Electronics
The storage compartment for the battery must be sealed and all corrosive leads must be painted with acid resistant paint. Naturally, all wiring must be properly insulated with proper grounding.

Brakes
All trucks must be equipped with a breaking system adequate for the weight of the combined truck and trailer in operation. Parking breaks must also be used. The brakes must be active on all wheels. The brakes must always be in good condition. This means that any damage or wearing of brake pads, brake chambers, and slack adjusters should be remedied as soon as possible. Anti-lock brakes are also required on all trucks.

Tires
All tires must be in working condition, meaning that the belt is not exposed through the tread. Tires used must be capable of supporting the weight and distribution of a load.

Truck Insurance Companies
Some commercial truck insurance companies such as The Truck Insurance Group and the Direct Truck Insurance Company will actually go out to inspect the trucks for safety before they consider insuring the vehicle. If the trucks do not pass their safety test, they may not issue an insurance policy.