A forklift doesn’t provide much maneuverability when loading heavy cargo. This is why businesses also use telehandlers. Telehandlers can move heavy objects up and down, forward and backward, or side to side.
Consider purchasing telehandler insurance. This consists of policies that protect against liability claims, equipment breakdown, and other risks. Read this guide to know how each work, the cost of premiums, and the best companies.
| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $300,000/$1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $300,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Products and completed operations aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Advertising injury coverage aggregate limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Tenant’s legal liability coverage limit | $100,000 | $100,000 | $5,000 | $100,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Included | Can be included | No |
| Hired/non-owned auto liability coverage included? | Yes | No | Excluded | Can be included | Can be included |
| Equipment breakdown floater included? | No | Yes | Yes | Can be included | Can be included |
| Can you get a certificate of insurance online? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deductible | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Your telehandler insurance policy will need to cover the liabilities of your business. One of the best liability insurance policies is general liability insurance. This policy will protect your business from third-party property damage and bodily injury claims. Example situations include:
You accidentally damage customer property while on the job
You run someone over while driving the telehandler
Products and completed operations–Takes care of costs if the completed or delivered service of your telehandler caused bodily injuries or property damage to third parties
Cyber liability–Covers any costs that arise from a data breach or cyber attack on your telehandler business
Your telehandler's general liability coverage will have a $1 million-$2 million per occurrence and aggregate limit. Nonetheless, some companies offer up to $5 million if your business profile is good.
| CoverWallet | NEXT | Thimble (Best) | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Yes | Can be included | No |
Your telehandler business can use professional liability coverage to protect against the catastrophic costs of lawsuits related to errors or omissions you make in your business operations. Examples of coverage include:
A client sues you for failing to deliver a promised service on time
One of your employees makes a mistake that causes substantial financial loss to a client
Prior acts coverage–Protects your telehandler business from liabilities that may have occurred before your current professional liability policy
Excess liability–An excess liability policy will help you extend the coverage limit of your professional liability insurance
Your policy typically has a professional liability coverage limit of $1 million.
Yes. Sometimes a client may ask that a telehandler have a professional liability insurance policy to ensure your business has the resources to cover potential lawsuits. One reason is that your client will want to make sure you can compensate their losses if you cannot fulfill the terms of a business contract.
Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!
| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | The Hartford | Hiscox | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $320,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $75,000 | $25,000 |
| Contents coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $35,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $75,000 | $15,000 |
| Outdoor signs | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Included |
| Accounts receivable | Excluded | Excluded | $5,000/$10,000 | Excluded | Included |
| Money and securities | Excluded | $2,500 | $1,000 | Excluded | Included |
| Lock and keys | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Included |
| Business interruption floater | Excluded | Included | Included | Excluded | Included |
| Equipment breakdown floater | Excluded | Included | Excluded | Excluded | Included |
| Inland marine insurance floater | Excluded | Excluded | $10,000 | Excluded | Excluded |
| Employee dishonesty floater | Excluded | $5,000 | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded |
A commercial property policy will protect your premises and any personal business property within against fire, theft, vandalism, lightning, sinkhole collapse, falling objects, riot, and other covered perils.
Business interruption insurance–Helps you compensate for lost income and other costs associated with a physical event interrupting business operations
Equipment breakdown–This policy will protect your telehandler equipment from internal breakdowns due to mechanical failure, electronic failure, or power surges
Commercial property insurance will have a typical coverage limit of about $50,000, though much higher limits are available depending on the policy.
Commercial property insurance will insure personal and business assets within a radius of your premises. This will include items like electronics, chairs, desks, and equipment. It will also cover specific outdoor properties like trees, shrubs, and fences.
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| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General liability aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $300,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Commercial property coverage limit | $50,000 | $320,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $75,000 | $75,000 |
| Optional policies can be added? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Name additional insureds for free? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BOP discount? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
A business owner’s policy is an excellent way to pick up multiple policies simultaneously. It will combine the coverage of commercial property and general liability insurance. Thus, you can use this policy when:
A tool stored on your business premises is damaged in a terrible fire
A customer gets injured during your telehandler business service
Employment practices liability coverage–Protects your telehandler business against employee claims of discrimination, improper dismissal, and workplace harassment
Earthquake protection–Compensates your business for property damage due to earthquakes and other earth movement events
Your business owner's policy will have a general liability coverage of $1 million and commercial property coverage of $60,000. Higher limits may be available.
A business owner’s policy application will ask several questions about your telehandler business. Insurers will want to know where your business is located, the size of your payroll, and the estimated revenue. You will also want to take inventory to know the value of your business property.
| NEXT | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregate limit | $3,000/$10,000 | $2,500/$5,000 | $15,000/$25,000 | $5,000-$10,000 |
| Covers hired and borrowed equipment? | $3,000/$10,000 | $2,500/$5,000 | No | Yes |
| Miscellaneous equipment also covered? | $5,000/$10,000 | No | Yes | Yes |
| Offered as an endorsement to general liability insurance? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deductible | $500 | $500 | $0 | $0 |
A tools and equipment policy protects the portable equipment of your business against damage or destruction. Example situations to use this policy include:
Equipment you use in your business is damaged in a fire
Some tools you use to maintain the telehandlers get stolen while at a worksite
The operator is careless and damaged the boom of your telehandler
Flood damage–Protects your telehandler business tools when caught in rising flood waters
Equipment breakdown–Adds additional events your tools can get covered for, like mechanical breakdown and electronic shortages
Tools and equipment insurance will cover tools between $5,000 and $20,000, with higher limits available depending on your insurance policy.
Yes. Some equipment policies will cover accidents caused by employees. However, some policies exclude wear and tear, corrosion, and rust.
A workers' compensation policy is crucial for any business with employees. This policy will pay benefits to workers who are injured or sick while working. Failure to get workers' compensation insurance can result in stiff fines and penalties.
Yes. Workers comp policies generally offer a death benefit if an employee dies while on the job. This will benefit any covered beneficiaries, like the employee's family. It will also pay burial expenses.
You need commercial auto insurance for driving a telehandler on highways, in case it can’t be transported through a hauler. Commercial auto insurance is composed of many different policies. Common ones are outlined below:
Auto-liability–Covers the medical treatments of victims if your telehandler causes an accident while running on the road
Collision–Pays for repairs if your telehandler got damaged due to a road crash
Comprehensive–Cover repairs if your telehandler got damaged due to fire, theft, vandalism, and other covered perils
Underinsured motorist–Adds additional protection to cover the gap in benefits if another driver’s insurance cannot cover your medical expenses or property damage
Roadside assistance–Helps you pay for services like towing, tire delivery, battery jump starts, and gas delivery
Commercial auto insurance will have liability coverage starting from $100,000 and extending as much as $1 million.
Personal auto insurance only protects your vehicle for personal purposes. In contrast, commercial auto insurance covers your vehicle for business purposes. This is a crucial distinction because most insurance companies won’t cover a telehandler through a personal auto policy.
| Cost per Month | Cost per Year | Deductible | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General liability insurance | $65 | $780 | $0-$500 |
| Professional liability insurance | $76 | $912 | $500-$1,000 |
| Excess liability insurance | $67.00 | $804 | $500-$1,000 |
| Commercial property insurance | $80 | $960 | $1,000-$2,000 |
| Business owner's policy | $110 | $1,320 | $1,500 |
| Tools and equipment insurance | $71 | $852 | $500-$1,000 |
| Commercial auto insurance | $75 | $900 | $500-$1,000 |
| Workers compensation insurance | $115 | $1,380 | $2,500-$5,000 |
The average telehandler insurance cost is $65 per month or $780 per year for a $1 million general liability policy. Factors that affect premiums are claims history, business history, policy limits, deductibles, annual revenue, number of employees, and location. Here’s a table showing the cost of a $1 million general liability insurance from the best telehandler insurance companies:
| NEXT | $38 | $456 | Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for telehandlers |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Hartford | $42 | $504 | Workers compensation insurance for telehandler operators |
| CoverWallet | $45 | $540 | Comparing telehandler insurance quotes online |
| Tivly | $49 | $588 | Comparing telehandler insurance quotes over the phone |
| Thimble | $52 | $624 | On-demand coverage for telehandler operators |
| Hiscox | $59 | $708 | Telehandler insurance with automatic renewal |
Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!
Here are the best telehandler insurance companies. Read some of the reviews below to know their pros, cons, and average rate for a $1 million general liability policy.
Best overall
Issues an online proof of insurance instantly
Fastest general liability insurance for telehandlers
Great customer service and reputation
Excellent rates
Outstanding value for money
Get a 10% discount if you buy two or more policies
Couldn’t find any
NEXT offers excellent options for telehandler businesses that are affordable. The company is great on price and lets you know costs upfront. NEXT are also reliable because of the A- AM Best rating. NEXT has a B+ Better Business Bureau score. Insurance policy options include tools and equipment, workers comp, general liability, and more.
Best for: Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for telehandlers
Average cost: $38 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Benefits for AARP members
File entirely online
A longstanding insurer that has 200 years of underwriting expertise
Some customers report slower customer service times
The Hartford offers business insurance that is offered based on your industry. You will find helpful policies like workers' compensation, commercial auto, and business owner’s policy. The Harford is a trusted insurer with years of experience and an A- rating from AM Best.
Best for: Workers compensation insurance for telehandler operators
Average cost: $42 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Works with A-rated US insurers
Choose from 10+ partners
Machinery repair insurance policy
Lets you get a quote without being committed to buying a policy
Doesn’t underwrite the policies
If you choose CoverWallet, you will find an excellent selection of insurance policies that your business can use. CoverWallet offers policies from top insurers like Markel, Hiscox, Progressive, and Travelers. Coverwallet specializes in optimizing your coverage to ensure your needs are being met. With CoverWallet, there are no hidden broker fees. This allows you to change or update your policy easier when your business needs change.
Best for: Comparing telehandler insurance quotes online
Average cost: $45 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Insurance network with over 200 providers
Tivly takes the guess-work out of finding insurers through their matching process
Compare quotes over the phone
Does not carry insurance themselves
Tivly has a massive selection of insurance partners and policies from which to choose your telehandler insurance coverage. The company offers you helpful insurance resources online to help you learn about the coverage you need. This company has an A rating from the Better Business Bureau. Tivly allows you to connect with them to get quotes and match with top insurers with over 200 different options. Call now to compare quotes over the phone.
Best for: Comparing telehandler insurance quotes over the phone
Average cost: $49 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Offers short and long-term coverage
Small companies will appreciate the flexibility in coverage
Excellent online resources to help inexperienced insurance buyers
Customer support options are limited compared to competitors
Thimble offers policy options like cyber insurance, professional liability, general liability, workers’ compensation, and property insurance for your telehandler business. This company allows you to avail general liability as a short-term policy. Moreover, this company’s general liability insurance comes with numerous add-ons for the most comprehensive protection.
Best for: On-demand coverage for telehandler operators
Average cost: $52 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Get a discount when you bundle multiple insurance policies
Numerous add-ons to base policies
Over 100 years of insurance experience
No coverage for some policies in Alaska
Hiscox is one of the best choices for your commercial property insurance. You can get covered for events like electronic data, accidental damage, business equipment, and coverage in and out of the office. You can trust Hiscox to back up your coverage thanks to its A+ Fitch rating and A rating from AM Best.
Best for: Telehandler insurance with automatic renewal
Average cost: $59 per month
Our rating: 10/10
1 / 5
Use anyone except Employers. Period. They are non-transparent and shameful. After I complained long enough to warrant a call from a supervisor, the supervisor called back from a PRIVATE NUMBER (no caller ID), left a message that they are not reversing their decision (without any communication with me), and failed to leave a phone number for me to call back. She was hiding! They also fact find via email and phone calls, which is terrific for speed and communication. However, after setting a precedence of email or phone calls, they send time sensitive information via email, without any heads up... they are hoping you miss it and forfeit via expiration. Evil policies. Go elsewhere.
1 / 5
This place is an absolute joke of a company and should be ashamed of the way they conduct business. I was hurt on the job at the end of July and it took them just shy of 7 weeks to issue out a paycheck to me. Yes the amount was back dated but still. Not many have the luxury of not receiving a paycheck for almost 2 months. To top it all off, the original adjuster marked me down for the wrong state which caused a problem from the get go, I've had 3 different adjusters now since each one can't seem to figure out the simplicity of my claim. All my paperwork which includes, my job, house, and drs visits all are from the same state and city but yet some how I have been filed under a completely different state 1500 miles away. They do not answer your phone calls or emails no matter how many you leave. I've had to escalate my frustrations to the supervisors of each of these individuals in order to even get some kind of response. I've had more communication and information given to me about my claim from the customer service representatives then the actual adjusters.......... please tell me how that works?! A serious overhaul needs to happen here in order to serve your clients the way they deserve to be taken care of. 10/10 do not recommend this company to a single soul on earth
1 / 5
I have never had the displeasure of working with a more incompetent and disrespectful person in my life. I’m an injured worker and the adjuster that was assigned to my case was named Carrie Furgeson. In the past 6 weeks that I’ve been injured and out of work I have only been able to get ahold of her twice, not for lack of trying. I have left countless voicemails, countless emails, and she ignores them all. When I am finally able to get ahold of her I’m greeted with terrible customer service. She is rude, she talks over me and I’m hardly able to get a word in edgewise. She spelled my name wrong on my documents even after I spelled it for her properly countless times, this caused a whole new issue with my bank. I have bill collectors from the hospital calling me demanding payment and Carrie Furgeson won’t do a single thing to help, or to get them paid. All of my documentation is in Colorado, my job is in Colorado, my address is in Colorado, all my Dr offices and appointments have been in Colorado and Carrie still managed to hold my claim because she wasn’t sure what state she needed to file it under. It’s been 6 weeks since my Injury and my company still hasn’t received the wage paperwork to fill out so they can get me my correct wages. When she’s not ignoring me she’s answering my questions with “I don’t know” well I don’t know how she got this job, because apparently she doesn’t know anything about it. She is a disgusting morose individual inside and out and I genuinely wish her the worst in all of her future endeavors. I highly recommend you don’t use this company. Please if you are a business owner and your looking into this company please don’t use them. I’m sure they have the cheapest payment and that’s why companies use them in the first place, but you will be doing your employees a grave disservice by forcing them to venture into this absolute dumpster fire of a company. I would rate 0/5 if possible but 1 was the lowest I was allowed.
5 / 5
Their general liability insurance purchase process is simply the best online experience I've ever had in my life!
5 / 5
As long as they cover your line of business, you're literally covered! best rates, best coverage, best online experience, best professionals, can't be happier that I chose them!
Not all those who wander are lost.
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