Occidental Fire and Casualty Company of North Carolina is a Raleigh-based insurer in IAT Insurance Group that writes commercial auto liability, physical damage and cargo coverage for the trucking industry (NC Department of Insurance). If one of its insured trucks hit you, IAT’s claims line is 866-576-7971 (IAT). Beverly Law does not work for or with Occidental or IAT.
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Who is Occidental Fire and Casualty?
The North Carolina Department of Insurance examined the company for the period ending December 31, 2024. Its report says Occidental was incorporated in North Carolina on October 31, 1961, began operating in 1962, and is wholly owned by Harco National Insurance Company, a subsidiary of IAT Insurance Group, Inc., which in turn is owned by IAT Reinsurance Company, Ltd. of the Cayman Islands. The report lists its office at 4200 Six Forks Road in Raleigh.
Besides homeowners and self-storage coverage, the report says Occidental serves the trucking industry with commercial auto liability, physical damage and inland marine (cargo) coverage, sold through general agents.
What kinds of trucks does IAT insure?
IAT’s commercial trucking overview says its program targets for-hire motor carriers with 1 to 250 power units in local, intermediate and long-haul work, including dry van, refrigerated, flatbed, intermodal, agricultural, auto and boat haulers and oversize loads (IAT trucking overview). It names Harco National, Occidental Fire and Casualty and Wilshire Insurance Company as the companies that write it. So the declarations page may show any of those three names; the claim goes to the same IAT claims team.
How do I report a claim to IAT?
Call 866-576-7971, or write to PO Box 17449, Raleigh, NC 27619-7449. IAT’s trucking overview says its claims team is available around the clock, and its brochure says a claims professional contacts the reporting party within one business day and assigns a claim number.
Before calling, gather:
- The motor carrier’s name and USDOT number from SAFER.
- The police report number and the date and place of the crash.
- Photos of the vehicles, the scene and any road signs or mile markers.
- Names of witnesses.
If you only know the carrier, the federal Licensing and Insurance search shows insurance filed for interstate for-hire carriers.
What does IAT tell its own drivers to do?
IAT’s brochure tells insureds to collect the other parties’ insurance information, describe any alleged injuries, photograph all vehicle damage, licenses, insurance cards and the scene, and save and provide telematics and dash-cam data. Its blog warns insureds not to delay filing a claim because delay can let evidence get lost (IAT blog).
That means the trucking side may already have photos, telematics and video. Ask in writing that all of it be kept for your claim. Federal rules require the carrier to keep its accident register for three years (49 CFR 390.15) but driver logs for only six months (49 CFR 395.8).
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How much coverage might the truck have?
Federal rules require at least $750,000 of liability coverage for most interstate for-hire freight trucks of 10,001 pounds or more, and more for oil and hazardous loads (49 CFR 387.9). IAT’s overview lists auto liability limits up to $1 million combined single limit for non-fleet accounts and up to $2 million for fleets, except in California and Texas. A carrier may also have excess coverage from another company. Ask the adjuster in writing for every applicable policy and limit.
What claim rules apply in California, Texas and Washington?
California’s fair claims rules apply to third-party claimants (10 CCR 2695.2). Insurers generally must respond to your communications within 15 calendar days (10 CCR 2695.5) and accept or deny within 40 calendar days of proof of claim, with written updates every 30 days (10 CCR 2695.7). Washington generally requires acknowledgment within 10 business days (WAC 284-30-360). In Texas, the Department of Insurance recommends that, if the insurer says it will not pay, you ask for the reason in detail and in writing (TDI). Texas cases are handled by the firm’s Texas-licensed attorneys, Joyce Ondich and John Efstathiou.
What to do now
- See a doctor and keep every record and bill.
- Get the carrier’s name and USDOT number.
- Report the claim at 866-576-7971 and write down the claim number.
- Expect a call within a business day; keep it short and factual.
- Ask in writing that telematics, video and logs be saved.
- Request every policy and limit in writing.
- Talk to a lawyer before signing a release.
Questions about an Occidental claim
Beverly Law reviews truck injury claims for free in English and Spanish. Call (310) 552-6959. You owe no fees or costs unless we win. More truck insurance claims guides are available.
Common questions
What is the Occidental Fire and Casualty claims phone number?
IAT lists 866-576-7971 for reporting or checking a trucking claim.
Who owns Occidental Fire and Casualty?
The North Carolina Department of Insurance says Harco National Insurance Company owns it, within IAT Insurance Group.
Is Wilshire Insurance Company the same claim system?
IAT names Wilshire, Harco National and Occidental as the writers of its trucking program, which uses one claims team.
How long do I have to sue?
Generally two years in California (California Courts) and Texas (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 16.003), and three years in Washington (RCW 4.16.080). A crash with a government vehicle has a much shorter first deadline.
Should I give IAT a recorded statement?
You do not have to give one to open a claim. Give the basic facts and put the rest in writing.
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Related pages
Truck Insurance Claims · Truck insurance claims · Protective Insurance Company claims · Great West Casualty claims · Can I sue a truck driver for hitting me? · Law Blog
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Sources
- North Carolina Department of Insurance, Report of Examination of Occidental Fire and Casualty Company of North Carolina and Wilshire Insurance Company (2024)
- IAT Insurance Group, How to report a trucking claim
- IAT Insurance Group, Commercial trucking overview
- IAT Insurance Group, How to handle a trucking claim
- 49 CFR 387.9
- 49 CFR 390.15
- 49 CFR 395.8
- FMCSA, SAFER Company Snapshot
- FMCSA, Licensing and Insurance public search
- Cal. Code of Regulations, title 10, section 2695.2
- Cal. Code of Regulations, title 10, section 2695.5
- Cal. Code of Regulations, title 10, section 2695.7
- WAC 284-30-360
- Texas Department of Insurance, Accident not your fault?
- California Courts Self-Help, Statute of limitations
- Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code chapter 16 (16.003)
- RCW 4.16.080
Important: This page is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship with Beverly Law. Laws change and every case is different; talk to a lawyer about your own situation. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. You owe no fees or costs unless we win. Texas cases are handled by the firm’s Texas-licensed attorneys, Joyce Ondich and John Efstathiou. Last reviewed: 2026-11-12.