WE ARE LEADERS IN COMMERCIAL TRUCK INSURANCE SOLUTIONS

Commercial Truck Insurance

Our guide below covers everything you need to know about commercial trucking insurance as you shop for a policy but for those just looking for a few recommendations, here are our top choices.

Our guide below covers everything you need to know about commercial trucking insurance as you shop for a policy but for those just looking for a few recommendations, here are our top choices.

Progressive

Call an Agent Get Quote
  • Great Overall Coverage
  • Will insure new ventures and drivers

biBERK

Call Get Quote
  • Great for Owner Operators
  • Will insure new ventures and drivers

The Hartford

Call Get Quote
  • Great for Fleets
  • Will insure new ventures and drivers

By clicking “Get Quote” or calling you will go to one of our insurance partners. The providers above may not be one of the providers in their network at this time.

What is commercial truck insurance?

Commercial truck insurance is a collection of auto insurance policies specifically tailored to trucking and other businesses operating large commercial motor vehicles.


By law, coverage will always include primary liability insurance, which pays for bodily injury to third parties and damage to their property resulting from an accident. Other common coverage includes physical damage coverage and motor truck cargo insurance.

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Commercial trucks require specialized insurance coverage for a number of reasons:



  • Trucks are more expensive to insure than smaller vehicles because they can cause more damage during an accident.
  • Trucks are more expensive to repair or replace.
  • Trucks often require specialized coverage, like motor truck cargo insurance, that other commercial vehicles don’t need.

What does commercial truck insurance cover?

What is covered by your commercial truck insurance will depend on the types of coverage you opt for and any exclusions outlined in the policy agreement.


Most incidents involving your vehicle can be covered – depending on the policy – but it’s important to note that:


  • Coverage is extended to employees operating owned vehicles but regular truck drivers must be named on the policy. Some policies exclude coverage for any drivers that are not named.
  • Most policies will cover both the business and personal use of named drivers. However, owner operators that lease onto a motor carrier will be required to carry secondary liability insurance to prevent claims on the carrier’s insurance while driving for personal reasons.

Exclusions

Commercial truck coverage will normally exclude:

  • Intentional damage
  • Business property inside the vehicle
  • Personal property of drivers

Policy Considerations

Similar to most insurance policies, companies looking for coverage should keep in mind the four basic components of a policy:

  • Coverage – defines what types of damage, which incidents, and what expenses will be covered
  • Premiums – how much the policy will cost on an annual or monthly basis
  • Deductibles – how much companies will be required to pay out-of-pocket before insurance kicks in; may be a single deductible or broken out by type of coverage‍
  • Policy Limits – the maximum the insurer will payout on claims; may be a single limit or broken out by type of coverage

Who needs commercial truck insurance?

Any business that operates trucks or other large commercial vehicles will need to carry commercial insurance for their vehicles.


The most common companies include:

  • For-hire Motor Carriers
  • Owner Operators
  • Private Carriers
  • Freight Forwarders
  • Other businesses in construction, agriculture, waste removal, etc

Vehicles requiring commercial policies include:

  • Semi-trucks (also known as tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, big rigs, and class 8 trucks)
  • Box trucks (also known as straight trucks)
  • Pickup trucks
  • Car haulers (also known as auto haulers)
  • Tow trucks
  • Dump trucks
  • Garbage trucks
  • Cement mixers
  • Tanker trucks
  • Bucket trucks
  • Food trucks
  • Cargo vans

Types of Coverage

What your commercial truck insurance policy covers will vary based on your specific needs. Below is an overview of the most common types of coverage.

Primary Auto Liability

Also known as trucking liability or primary liability, this coverage pays for third-party bodily injury and property damage and is required by law. For interstate truckers, policy limits are set by the FMCSA and for intrastate truckers, policy limits will be set by the state.

Physical Damage Coverage

Physical damage insurance covers the repair or replacement of owned vehicles or trailers from any covered incidents. The most common types of coverage include:

  • Collision coverage – covers road-related incidents
  • Comprehensive coverage – covers most other incidents
  • Fire and theft with combined additional coverage – a less expensive alternative to comprehensive, this coverage only covers specific events named in the policy; for example, hail damage might be covered while fire damage is not

Common endorsements include:

  • Gap Coverage – pays the difference between the actual cash value of the vehicle and what is owed on a truck loan
  • Mechanical Breakdown Insurance – covers the cost of repairs or replacement for specific parts on the truck
  • Rental Reimbursement – covers the cost of renting a truck until the owned vehicle can be repaired or replaced
  • Downtime Reimbursement – offsets business losses while the truck is out of operation
  • Supplemental Towing – adds flexibility to where a truck can be towed after an incident

Medical

Covers medical payments for truck drivers and their passengers during an accident.

Uninsured/Underinsured Driver

Provides protection in case a third party is at fault during an accident but doesn’t have sufficient coverage.


Motor Truck Cargo Insurance

Motor truck cargo insurance protects motor carriers if any goods are damaged or lost while in their possession. Optional endorsements include reefer breakdown coverage, which covers sensitive cargo that is damaged because of refrigeration issues and earned freight coverage, which covers lost income if cargo is damaged and is rejected by the broker or shipper.

Non-trucking Liability

Most motor carriers require owner operators driving under their authority to carry non-trucking liability insurance, which provides coverage when an owner operator is not driving for the carrier. A trailer may or may not be attached. However, some carriers require owner operators to carry bobtail insurance instead of non-trucking in their lease agreements.

Bobtail Liability

Some motor carriers require owner operators to carry bobtail insurance, which covers owner operators anytime they are driving without a trailer. The carrier’s lease agreement will dictate whether an owner operator needs non-trucking or bobtail.

Trailer Interchange Coverage

This coverage protects carriers against physical damage to a third-party trailer in their possession (attached to the truck or not) while under a trailer interchange agreement. Owner operators may also need trailer interchange if they haul trailers owned by their motor carrier.

Non-owned Trailer

Similar to trailer interchange, non-owned trailer provides protection against any physical damage to a third-party trailer. While a trailer interchange agreement isn’t needed, it only covers trailers while they are attached to the truck. A trailer sitting in a yard would not be covered, even if it is in the possession of the trucker.

On-hook Coverage

Designed specifically for tow trucks, this covers the repair or replacement of any vehicles that are damaged while they are being towed.

Federal & State Law

Companies must comply with the state insurance requirements where they are registered. However, companies involved in interstate commerce must also comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) insurance requirements.

Federal Requirements

Carrier Freight Minimum Liability
For-hire Carrier Under 10,001 lbs Non-hazardous Freight $300,000
For-Hire Carrier Over 10,001 lbs Non-hazardous Freight $750,000
For-Hire or Private Carrier Over 10,001 lbs Oil (and some select hazardous waste) $1,000,000
For-Hire or Private Carrier Hazardous Substances, Including Radioactive Materials $5,000,000

State Requirements

Companies engaged in intrastate commerce that doesn’t involve hazardous cargo are not regulated by the FMCSA. However, these companies must still comply with state-level insurance requirements.

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Insurance requirements vary from state to state, so companies will need to check with their state’s regulatory authority or speak to an insurance agent to confirm their specific requirements. For example, while California’s liability insurance requirements are similar to the FMCSA, Texas only requires $300,000 in liability insurance for non-hazmat vehicles under 26,000 pounds and $500,000 for vehicles over 26,000 pounds.

How much does commercial truck insurance cost?

Insuring a semi-truck typically costs motor carriers $10,000-$30,000 a year while owner operators driving under someone else’s authority can expect to pay $3,000-$5,000.


Insurance premiums can be even higher for carriers that transport valuable or hazardous cargo. New ventures or high-risk drivers can also drive up premiums.

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While these ranges can be quite large, the important takeaway is that trucking insurance is expensive and owner operators that lease onto a motor carrier save a significant amount of money on insurance because they do not need to pay for primary liability insurance – which is typically the most expensive coverage.

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Companies running other vehicles, such as box trucks or pickup trucks, will typically have lower premiums than the figures listed above but it can vary widely based on a range of factors.

What factors affect premiums?

  • Vehicle – As a general rule, heavier vehicles have higher insurance premiums because they can do more damage in an accident. Newer and more expensive trucks will also have higher premiums because they are more expensive to repair or replace.
  • Cargo – Trucks transporting hazardous or valuable freight will have the highest premiums.
  • Safety Equipment – Modern ELD systems and dash cams are helping companies to track and reward safe driving.
  • FMCSA/DOT Safety Record – Motor carriers with a good safety record will save on truck insurance.
  • Time in Business – New ventures or trucking companies with new authority can expect higher premiums than more established businesses.
  • New CDL Drivers – Similarly, new commercial truck drivers are more expensive to insure even if they are driving for an established company.
  • High-risk Drivers – Drivers with moving violations are more expensive to insure.
  • Location / Operating Radius – Insurance rates vary by state and as a general rule, the larger the operating radius, the higher the premiums.
  • Policy Limits / Deductible – Higher policy limits will result in higher premiums while higher deductibles will lower them.
  • Payment terms – Some insurance providers offer discounts to companies that pay premiums upfront instead of opting for monthly payments.

Down Payments

For first-time buyers, it’s important to note that most trucking insurance companies require an upfront down payment totaling 15-25% of the annual premium.


For new trucking companies, a five-figure down payment can be an issue. Luckily, some insurance providers offer low down payment or no down payment insurance options.

How to Get Cheap Commercial Truck Insurance

It’s important to remember that the cheapest insurance isn’t always the best choice. Ensuring you have appropriate coverage will protect your business and enable you to work with a wide range of shippers and brokers.


Still, there are tactics that can help companies lower their premiums besides having a safe driving record and skimping on coverage. Here are a few tactics to use when looking to purchase an affordable truck insurance policy:

  • Compare multiple quotes
  • Ask if discounts are available by paying premiums on an annual vs monthly basis
  • Opt for a lower policy limit (while still carrying adequate coverage)
  • Select a higher deductible
  • Equip vehicles with dash cams, fog lamps, and other safety-enhancing features

Getting a Quote

Companies should be prepared to provide the following information when requesting quotes:

Comparing Options

While it’s possible to purchase a commercial truck insurance policy online, most companies will want to speak with an insurance broker or agent to help navigate edge cases, federal or state law, and their unique requirements.

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Technically speaking, an insurance broker represents multiple insurance carriers while a captive or company agent only represents a single insurance company. However, insurance brokerages may refer to themselves as “insurance agencies” and their employees as “agents” so it can get confusing. The important thing to remember is that some companies are able to provide quotes from multiple companies and others can only sell policies from a single insurance provider.

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Working with a broker that can provide multiple quotes is a great way to see your different options but some insurance companies only sell through captive or company agents so it’s best to shop around and not limit yourself to a single broker.

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Similarly, just because you are working with an agent or broker doesn’t mean that you should avoid doing your own research ahead of time. This will help you ask the right questions, get a baseline of what to expect, and potentially avoid companies with low premiums but bad reputations.

Methodology & How We Evaluated Insurance Carriers

To curate our list of the top commercial truck insurance companies, we selected more than 25 popular companies and then narrowed down our list based on the review factors listed below.


However, it’s important to keep in mind that there is no single best insurance company as they have varying risk appetites and specialties. Furthermore, each trucking company has its own needs and preferences.


Still, our company reviews should help get you pointed in the right direction.

Review Factors

Coverage

  • Regions – most of our top companies are available in all 50 states
  • Vehicles Covered – do they cover a wide range of trucks
  • Insurance Policies & Endorsements – can they cover a wide variety of companies and owner operators

Customer Satisfaction

Pricing

  • Online Quotes – how easy is it to receive a quote
  • Premiums – do they offer flexible payment terms or do they require large down payments (or payment in full upfront)
  • Discount Opportunities – can companies save money by paying upfront or installing safety equipment

Financial Strength

While all of our top companies are in strong financial strength, these ratings can give peace of mind.

Top Rated Commercial Truck Insurance Companies

Progressive
Best Overall

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Pros

  • Wide range of coverage options
  • Will insure new ventures and drivers
  • Discount programs for safe and established companies

Cons

  • Some states have restricted operating radius to 500 miles
  • Will need to discuss specifics with an agent

Coverage

  • Available in all 50 states but some states may have restrictions on operating radius
  • Will cover new companies and new drivers
  • Offers coverage to a wide range of vehicles – from tractor-trailers to pickup trucks and dump trucks
  • In addition to standard commercial auto insurance, additional coverage includes cargo insurance, rental reimbursement with downtime, non-trucking liability, trailer interchange, and motor truck general liability
  • Offer garage keeper's legal liability and on-hook towing insurance for tow trucks
  • Companies can combine coverage with general business insurance like workers’ compensation, health insurance, professional liability, and more

Customer Satisfaction

  • Ranked 3rd in the 2023 JD Power survey on customer satisfaction for service
  • Ranked #1 in digital customer experience by Keynova Group in 2024
  • A low complaint ratio with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
  • Progressive is the largest commercial auto insurer by premiums written

Pricing

  • Discounts for drivers with 2+ years of CDL experience
  • Businesses that are older than 3 years will receive discounts
  • Paid-in-full discount of up to 15%
  • Savings when bundling with other business or personal insurance
  • Can save an average of $1,106 per year when enrolled in their SmartHaul program, which shares ELD data with the insurer

Financial Strength

  • A+ from A.M. Best

OOIDA Truck Insurance
Best for Owner Operators

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Pros

  • Will cover new ventures and drivers
  • Competitive pricing
  • Specialize in commercial trucking insurance

Cons

  • Not rated by AM Best so some brokers and shippers won’t work with carriers using their insurance
  • Must be an OOIDA member

Coverage

  • Available in all 50 states
  • Will cover new ventures and new drivers
  • All basic coverage like primary liability, cargo, and physical damage
  • Additional coverage includes bobtail, non-trucking liability, general liability, gap insurance, downtime, rental reimbursement, occupational accident insurance, and trailer interchange

Customer Satisfaction

  • Low complaint ratio with NAIC
  • Certificates of insurance aren’t handled digitally and instead are faxed or mailed within 24 hours
  • Additional benefits of OOIDA membership include fuel cards, discounted load board access, and more

Pricing

  • Known for competitive pricing
  • Online payments
  • Liability insurance is offered through a Risk Retention Group, which typically has lower rates

Financial Strength

  • Not rated by A.M. Best so some brokers and shippers may not work with carriers using OOIDA truck insurance

The Hartford
Best for Large Fleets

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Pros

  • Extremely flexible coverage options
  • FleetAhead program helps fleet managers improve driver safety
  • Doesn’t insure new ventures or owner operators

Cons

  • Slightly above average complaint ratio with NAIC

Coverage

  • Available in all 50 states
  • Semi-truck insurance and most other vehicles
  • All basic coverage like primary liability, cargo, and physical damage
  • Additional coverage includes earned freight, trailer interchange, spoilage, and more
  • Flexible coverage with separate limits for specified trips and named shippers
  • Also offers standard business insurance including general liability, workers’ compensation, and more

Customer Satisfaction

  • Ranked #1 in small commercial insurance provider by the Keynova Group in 2024
  • Top 20 commercial auto insurer by premiums written
  • Slightly above complaint ratio with NAIC

Pricing

  • No online quoting available
  • Will need to work with an agent

Financial Strength

  • A- from A.M. Best

Owner Operator Direct

(by Lancer Insurance)
Best for Owner Operators

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Pros

  • Specialize in owner operators leased onto a motor carrier or running under their own authority
  • Flexible payment terms
  • Low complaint ratio with NAIC

Cons

  • Won’t insure drivers with less than 2 years of experience
  • Won’t insure drivers under the age of 25

Coverage

  • Exclusively focuses on small trucking insurance
  • Available in all 50 states
  • All basic coverage like primary liability, cargo, and physical damage
  • Additional coverage includes gap insurance, earned freight, reefer breakdown, debris and pollution, bobtail insurance, and more

Customer Satisfaction

  • Customers can access certificates of insurance online 24/7 and view other account information
  • Low complaint ratio with NAIC

Pricing

  • Easy online quotes
  • Monthly payment options with no finance charges
  • Combined deductibles for tractor, trailer, and cargo losses

Financial Strength

  • A- from A.M. Best

Great West Casualty Company
Best Coverage for

Experienced Companies and Drivers

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Pros

  • Great reviews in online forums 
  • Specialize in trucking and transportation insurance
  • Flexible and comprehensive coverage

Cons

  • Does not operate in all 50 states
  • Does not insure drivers without experience or high-risk drivers

Coverage

  • Covers most states but does not cover Alaska, Hawaii, Massachusetts, or New York
  • Requires drivers to be over 23 years of age, have no DUIs in the last 6 years, no license suspensions the last 3 years, and no moving violations in the last 4 years
  • All basic coverage like primary liability, cargo coverage, and physical damage
  • Additional coverage includes general liability, workers’ compensation, non-trucking liability, equipment coverage, personal property, and more
  • Offers hazmat insurance
  • Also insurers freight brokers and freight forwarders

Customer Satisfaction

  • Great reviews in online forums
  • Extremely low complaint ratio with NAIC
  • 24/7 customer service available
  • Dedicated safety service department that provides seminars and content to help truckers avoid incidents
  • Maintain their own aircraft to quickly reach accidents when needed

Pricing

  • Reputation for not being the cheapest but providing the best coverage
  • For every year of loss-free driving, deductibles are reduced by 25% until there is no deductible
  • Easy online quotes and ability to pay bills online

Financial Strength

  • A+ from A.M. Best

Northland Insurance (by Travelers)
Great for Owner Operators and Fleets

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Pros

  • Specializes in commercial trucking insurance
  • Flexible coverage options for carriers & owner operators
  • Customer service of a smaller company but backed by an industry giant

Cons

  • Average complaint ratio with NAIC

Coverage

  • Available in all 50 states
  • Specializes in semi-truck insurance for motor carriers and owner operators
  • Rich coverage options for trucking companies
  • Covers the basics like primary liability, cargo, and physical damage
  • Additional coverage includes non-trucking liability, general liability, garage keeper’s, trailer interchange, and hired auto/non-owned
  • Also offers workers’ compensation insurance through Travelers
  • Policies can satisfy UIIA requirements  for intermodal trucking

Customer Satisfaction

  • Average complaint ratio with the NAIC
  • Parent company (Travelers) is the second largest commercial auto liability insurer by premiums written

Pricing

  • Flexible payment terms that are interest-free
  • For single trucks, offers a combined deductible for physical damage claims with cargo
  • Aggregates deductible coverage for fleets
  • Towing is automatically included on their physical damage coverage

Financial Strength

Sentry
Great for Specialty Truckers & Small Businesses

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Pros

  • Insurance is exclusively available through insurance brokers and agencies that specialize in trucking
  • Low complaint ratio with NAIC
  • Top 20 commercial auto insurer by premiums written

Cons

  • Limited information available online
  • Will need to work with an agent

Coverage

  • Available in all 50 states
  • Covers semi-trucks and a wide range of vehicles in construction, healthcare, and more
  • All basic coverage like primary liability, cargo, and physical damage
  • Non-trucking liability available for owner operators
  • Also offer standard business insurance including general liability, workers’ compensation, property, and cyber insurance

Customer Satisfaction

  • Low complaint ratio with NAIC
  • Top 20 commercial auto insurer by premiums written

Pricing

  • Limited information available online

Financial Strength

  • A+ from A.M. Best

Geico
‍Great for Small Businesses Not Running Semi-Trucks

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Pros

  • Competitive pricing
  • Great customer reviews
  • Easy to receive quotes and purchase online (agents also available)

Cons

  • Does not cover semi-trucks

Coverage

  • Available in all 50 states
  • Covers vans, pickups, box trucks, food trucks, and most other vehicles except semi-trucks and heavy vehicles like dump trucks
  • Also offers standard business insurance including general liability, workers’ compensation, and more

Customer Satisfaction

  • Ranked 2nd in the 2023 JD Power survey on customer satisfaction for service
  • Ranked #2 in digital customer experience and #1 in mobile experience by the Keynova Group
  • Low complaint ratio with NAIC
  • Parent company (Berkshire Hathaway) is the sixth largest commercial auto insurer by premiums written

Pricing

  • Competitive pricing
  • Online quotes, purchases, and account management

Financial Strength

  • A++ from A.M. Best

National Independent Truckers Insurance Company (NITIC)
Great for Owner Operators & Small Fleets; Best for Short-Term Truck Insurance

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Pros

  • Specializes in trucking
  • Flexible coverage options
  • Short-term and temporary truck insurance available

Cons

  • Less established than competitors

Coverage

  • Covers the lower 48 states (every state minus Alaska & Hawaii)
  • Covers semi-trucks, box trucks, pickup trucks, dump trucks, tow trucks, and more
  • All basic coverage like primary liability, cargo, and physical damage
  • Additional coverage includes bobtail insurance, short-term and temporary insurance, trailer interchange, non-owned trailer, reefer breakdown, on-hook towing, and hazmat
  • Also offers general liability

Customer Satisfaction

  • Low complaint ratio with NAIC

Pricing

  • Low down payments
  • Online quotes

Financial Strength

  • B++ from A.M. Best

State Farm
Great for Customer Service

Visit Site

Pros

  • Strong industry reputation
  • Also offers general business insurance

Cons

  • Does not specialize in trucking but does cover semi-trucks and box trucks
  • Very little information available online
  • High complaint ratio with NAIC

Coverage

  • All 50 states
  • All basic coverage like primary liability, cargo, and physical damage
  • Also offers standard business insurance including general liability, workers’ compensation, personal injury protection, and more

Customer Satisfaction

  • Ranked 4th in the 2023 JD Power survey on customer satisfaction for service
  • Top 20 commercial auto insurer by premiums written
  • High complaint ratio with NAIC

Pricing

  • No online quoting
  • Will need to work directly with an agent

Financial Strength

  • A++ from A.M. Best

biBERK (by Berkshire Hathaway)
Great Online Experience

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Pros

  • Easy to receive quotes and purchase online (agents also available)
  • Other business insurance available

Cons

  • Not available in all 50 states
  • Doesn't specialize in trucking
  • High complaint ratio with NAIC

Coverage

  • Commercial auto insurance policies not available in all 50 states
  • Covers a wide range of vehicles including semi-trucks, tow trucks, dump trucks, pickups, and more
  • Also offers standard business insurance including general liability, workers’ compensation, umbrella, and cyber insurance

Customer Satisfaction

  • Great online experience and account management
  • High complaint ratio with NAIC

Pricing

  • Easy online quotes and purchasing available
  • Monthly payments available with no fees

Financial Strength

  • A++ from A.M. Best

FAQs

  • What kind of insurance does a trucking company need?

    Trucking companies are required to carry primary liability insurance but almost every company will also want to carry physical damage insurance. Additionally, for-hire carriers transporting household goods are required to carry motor truck cargo insurance.


    Owner operators on the other hand, will need to carry bobtail or non-trucking liability insurance as dictated in their lease agreement. Most also require physical damage insurance.

  • How much insurance do I need for a trucking company?

    Most interstate carriers will need at least $750,000 in primary liability insurance but limits can be higher or lower depending on the vehicle’s weight and cargo. Intrastate carriers will need to check with their state regulatory body.

  • What is motor truck general liability?

    General liability insurance protects trucking businesses against any incidents that are not directly related to operation of the vehicle. Examples include actions of the driver while on third-party premises and libel/slander lawsuits.

  • Are commercial vehicles more expensive to insure?

    Yes, commercial vehicles are typically more expensive to insure than personal vehicles.

  • Why is commercial truck insurance so expensive?

    Commercial truck insurance is more expensive compared to other auto insurance because trucks are larger and can do more damage. Trucks are also more expensive to repair/replace and log significantly more miles than most other vehicles.

  • What state has the lowest commercial truck insurance?

    Data from Progressive lists the following states as having the cheapest insurance for vehicles with a USDOT number:

    • Mississippi
    • Wyoming
    • Nebraska
    • Iowa
    • Idaho

Statistics

Commercial auto insurance premiums over time

Since 1998, premiums for commercial auto insurance is up roughly 23%.

How big of an expense are insurance premiums for motor carriers?

According to the American Transportation Research Institute, insurance premiums are the fourth largest vehicle expense after fuel, truck payments, and repairs/maintenance.

Since 2013, insurance premiums have seen the third biggest increase among vehicle expenses.