Rescue Your Revenue

Insurance Claims and Recovery Options for Expediters After an Accident

For expediters, accidents are more than roadside disruptions — they can lead to significant financial losses. Beyond vehicle repairs, losses often include time off the road, canceled loads, lost revenue, and even additional expenses while waiting for repairs. Understanding what you can claim from an insurance company after a not-at-fault accident is essential to recovering your business income and protecting your bottom line. 

Here’s a breakdown of the types of losses expediters commonly pursue — and how to support those claims so they stand up to scrutiny.

1. Lost Income from Downtime 

One of the biggest financial impacts of an accident is downtime — the period your truck isn’t generating revenue because it’s being repaired. 

You may be able to recover: 

• Income you would have earned if you were on the road 
• Payments from canceled or rescheduled loads
• Lost opportunities because your schedule was disrupted 

To support these claims, keep thorough records of your load history, dispatch logs, and expected earnings during the period of downtime. 

2. Damage to the Truck and Equipment 

After a not-at-fault accident, the at-fault insurer should cover the cost to repair your truck and any damaged equipment.

This can include:

• Body and frame repairs
• Mechanical work required after impact 
• Towed or storage charges
• Replacement of specialized expedite gear 

Make sure all repair estimates and invoices are documented and detailed.

3. Rental or Replacement Vehicle Costs

If repair delays are lengthy and your business needs to stay on the road, you may incur costs for:

• Renting a replacement truck
• Leasing power only
• Paying for temporary equipment 

Whether or not the insurer covers rental costs may depend on your own policy language or the at-fault carrier’s coverage. Be sure to document every rental agreement, communication, and cost.

4. Additional Operational Expenses

Accidents often create unexpected expenses beyond repairs and lost revenue, such as:

• Extra fuel expenses due to rerouting
• Lodging and meals if you’re away from home base longer than expected 
• Administrative time spent handling claims and rescheduling work

Documenting these costs — including dates, reasons, and receipts — must be part of your claim package to justify them to the insurer.

5. Mitigation-Related Out-of-Pocket Costs

Insurance companies expect that you will take reasonable steps to mitigate your loss — meaning you try to reduce your financial harm when possible.

Reasonable mitigation may include:

• Seeking repair estimates promptly
• Attempting to find substitute equipment
• Documenting actions to resume operations quickly 

Costs you incur while acting reasonably to limit downtime can be part of your claim, as long as they are well-documented.

How to Strengthen Your Claim

Here’s what will make your claim more likely to succeed:

• Keep Documentation 
Detailed records of loads, income history, communications, repair timelines, and expenses are critical. 

• Create a Timeline 
When did the accident occur? When did repairs start? What delays were caused by parts, schedules, or other factors? A clear timeline helps insurers understand the sequence and rationale behind your losses. 

• Track Lost Opportunities 
A canceled expedited load isn’t just a date on a calendar — it’s quantifiable revenue. Back claims with actual numbers. 

• Don’t Delay Communication 
Early and clear contact with the at-fault insurer and your own provider (if applicable) sets the stage for a stronger claim.

Final Thoughts

Expediters can incur many types of losses after an accident, and insurance recoveries can cover more than just repair bills. The key to successful claims is preparation: track it, document it, and package it clearly.

If you’re navigating a downtime or damage claim, understanding what you can reasonably claim and how to build the supporting evidence can make all the difference in maximizing your recovery.

Dealing with downtime after an accident?

Eckert & Associates, P.A. represents expediters seeking compensation for lost revenue and vehicle damage following not-at-fault accidents.

Learn more at downtimeclaims.com or call 1-800-DOWNTIME.