Hudson Insurance Company Claims After a Truck Accident

Hudson Insurance Company, part of Hudson Insurance Group and the Odyssey Group, insures large trucking fleets, above a self-insured retention the carrier pays itself, with claims handled through its administrator, Napa River Insurance Services (Hudson). Hudson takes commercial auto claims through an online “Report Now” link and lists 866-546-3981 for other claim questions (Hudson claims). Beverly Law does not work for or with Hudson.

Who is Hudson Insurance Company?

Hudson’s fleet trucking page calls Hudson an Odyssey Group company that has offered programs for truckers since 1995. It says the program focuses on fleets of roughly 200 to 2,000 power units hauling open-deck, dry van, temperature-controlled, bulk, auto, intermodal and specialized freight. Its listed coverages include truckers auto liability, general liability, motor truck cargo, physical damage and pollution.

Hudson also sells programs for owner-operators. Its independent contractor page describes occupational accident coverage, non-trucking liability with limits up to $1 million for leased-on owner-operators driving outside the carrier’s control, and contingent liability for motor carriers (Hudson independent contractors).

How does a Hudson trucking policy work?

The fleet program is built differently from an ordinary auto policy. Hudson describes it as an excess indemnity contract that sits above a self-insured retention, with capacity up to $2 million including a retention of at least $100,000. Put simply, the trucking company pays the first part of each claim, and Hudson’s contract applies above that.

Hudson’s 2017 commercial auto brochure says carriers that want to outsource claims within the retention must use a licensed third-party administrator, that claims and risk services come through Napa River Insurance Services, and that each client gets one assigned claims contact (Hudson brochure). So the adjuster on your claim may work for Napa River, and the money for a smaller claim may come from the carrier itself. For a serious injury, the claim may move through several hands: the administrator for the retained part, Hudson above it, and possibly an excess insurer above that. Each layer may need notice of your claim, so ask early who else should receive copies of your letters.

How do I report a claim?

Use Hudson’s online commercial auto claim link, or call 866-546-3981 and ask who handles claims for the carrier involved. Before you do, gather:

• The motor carrier’s name and USDOT number from SAFER.
• The truck and trailer numbers and the police report number.
• The date, place and a short description of what happened.
• Photos and witness names.

If you do not know the insurer, the federal Licensing and Insurance search shows insurance filed by interstate for-hire carriers. Ask anyone who contacts you to state in writing who employs them, whether a retention applies and how much it is.

How much coverage, and which records?

Federal rules require at least $750,000 in liability coverage for most interstate for-hire freight trucks of 10,001 pounds or more (49 CFR 387.9). A large carrier with a Hudson program can meet that through a mix of retention, insurance and excess layers. Ask for the full structure in writing.

Carriers must keep an accident register for three years (49 CFR 390.15), driver logs for six months (49 CFR 395.8), and maintenance records for one year, and for six months after a truck leaves the carrier’s control (49 CFR 396.3). A large fleet may also have telematics and camera systems. Ask early, in writing, that all of it be kept.

What claim rules apply in California, Texas and Washington?

California’s fair claims rules protect third-party claimants (10 CCR 2695.2), and insurers generally must accept or deny within 40 calendar days of proof of claim or give written updates every 30 days (10 CCR 2695.7). Washington generally requires acknowledgment within 10 business days (WAC 284-30-360). The Texas Department of Insurance suggests getting any refusal to pay in writing (TDI). Whether those insurer rules reach a claim handled inside a carrier’s retention can be disputed, which is another reason to keep everything in writing. Texas cases are handled by the firm’s Texas-licensed attorneys, Joyce Ondich and John Efstathiou.

What to do now

1. Get medical care and keep every record.
2. Note the carrier name, USDOT number and truck number.
3. Report the claim online or call 866-546-3981.
4. Ask who the adjuster works for and whether a retention applies.
5. Send a preservation letter for logs, telematics and video.
6. Request the full insurance structure and limits in writing.
7. Talk to a lawyer before giving a statement or signing.

Talk to Beverly Law about a Hudson claim

Call (310) 552-6959 for a free review in English or Spanish. You owe no fees or costs unless we win. More truck insurance claims guides are on our site.

Common questions

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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.