CDL Defender
Topic 14584 | Page 1
What do you guys think about the US Legal services (aka CDL defender) option offered for drivers? It's $7 a week. Do you think it's worth it? Or not? Explain if you can. Thanks!
Like all insurances... it will likely only seem to be "worth it," when it's needed and works to one's favor. There are a number of other companies which provide similar coverage and services. $7 per week seems to be a good rate, based on a quick look at others... but, the others may be less expensive if/when purchased through an employer. I was only able to check "rack-rate."
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
I signed up for pre paid legal plan at orientation. To me, WELL WORTH $1.00 per day. Think about it...you get a ticket somewhere in Podunk Arkansas. They give you a court date 3 weeks later. Can you get back to Podunk for a court date on a specific day and time? Not a chance. What are your options. 1- Pay the fine 2-3-4-$500.00 and up. 2- Have an attorney represent you in court for FREE and possibly have it reduced or even dismissed? What do you really have to lose? I didn't think twice when I signed up.
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
Have an attorney represent you in court for FREE and possibly have it reduced or even dismissed?
Is it really actually free representation if you are paying $7/week for it?
I (like you) am with the same company that offered thid program @ the rate you mentioned.
There are other services that you can purchase on an "as needed" basis, so I declined. This (for example) was an add I saw @ a welcome center I stopped by as I was rolling down the interstate in NY.
***I am not affiliated with, endorse or can offer any opinion of this service...just sharing as it's relevant to the conversation.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
I got a ticket once in a CMV on my second month of driving. Ran a stop sign that I didn't see in Jetmore, KS and there was an officer sitting right there. I didn't have any of these legal services at that time. I could have gone to court but I just paid the fine in full instead. It was only $175. Luckily its off my record now. That was the only ticket. But let's do the math to see if it was financially worth it for me.
I drove for a little over 3 years OTR.
39 months to be exact. This service is roughly $28 per month.
I would have paid roughly $1,100 dollars in only 3 years. Sure they could have reduced my ticket to $140 thus saving me $35 dollars but end the end it saved me money by not having this legal service.
My point, agree to disagree but I actually think its overpriced. Ive never met anyone in person that has used this service where it actually helped or "saved" them.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
Ya know Tractor Man...as a resident of Arkansas...there is no Podunk in our fine state. I must now subtract one dancing banana from all of my replies to your posts!! Lmao
Ya know Tractor Man...as a resident of Arkansas...there is no Podunk in our fine state. I must now subtract one dancing banana from all of my replies to your posts!! Lmao
Yes. I thought Podunk is in Idaho.
I signed on for the US Legal. First, the $7 is a deduction so you never miss it. Second, I do like the idea of not having to return to Podunk, or even Battle Mountain, NV , for a court appearance.
Third, the lawyer might be able to reduce the crime or get it reduced. The US Legal coverage is pretty broad for your driving, and they offer a few things for "real life", too.
All states have a lil Podunk somewhere, even New York.
Shutting up now!
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What do you guys think about the US Legal services (aka CDL defender) option offered for drivers? It's $7 a week. Do you think it's worth it? Or not? Explain if you can. Thanks!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: