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There’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all commercial truck insurance. Coverage needs are as unique as the driver inside the rig and the load they’re hauling.
It’s essential to understand what type of commercial insurance coverage you’re required to have — by states, shippers, and brokers — and evaluate other coverage needs. Beyond physical damage and liability, common types of commercial truck coverage include:
- Non-trucking liability: Covers damages and injuries that occur during non-business use of your truck.
- Motor truck cargo: Covers cargo that is stolen or damaged by fire, refrigeration breakdown, collision or another manner. It also covers the removal of debris and pollutants if your cargo spills onto a roadway or into a waterway.
- Trailer interchange: Covers physical damage to a trailer not owned by you but being pulled by you under a trailer interchange agreement.
- Rental reimbursement: Covers rental costs if you temporarily need to replace your truck due to damage from an accident and require repairs. It may also cover downtime if a rental cannot be acquired.
Best commercial truck insurance
The best commercial truck insurance providers have flexible, affordable coverage options to meet your needs, whether you’re a for-hire trucker or run a fleet of your own.
We looked for providers that offer a wide range of coverage and in-depth knowledge of the trucking industry. We also considered independent customer reviews and a company’s financial rating from AM Best, a trusted credit rating agency focused on the insurance industry. Providers that do not have an AM Best rating were not considered for this list.
The following are NerdWallet’s picks for best commercial truck insurance:
Progressive: Best overall commercial truck insurance
Pros:
- Insures a wide range of commercial trucks, including tow trucks, tank trucks, flatbeds and refrigerated trucks.
- Ability to bundle with other business insurance coverage.
- Multiple discounts are available.
- Offers coverage in all 50 states.
Cons:
- Discounts are not available in all states.
Why we like it:
Progressive is the largest seller of commercial truck insurance (and auto insurance) in the United States for a reason. It offers customized coverage that fits your situation, whether you’re an owner-operator with authority or operate under a lease. In addition, Progressive offers several discounts, including those for drivers with a commercial driver’s license, customers who have been in business for more than three years and those who bundle commercial truck insurance with other business coverage and/or personal auto insurance.
National Independent Truckers Insurance Company (NITIC): Best for owner-operators, small fleets
Pros:
- Specializes in commercial truck insurance.
- Offers tow truck insurance, hazmat truck insurance and short-term insurance, in addition to its more-common coverage types.
- Top-rated customer service.
Cons:
- Lower AM Best rating than competitors, including Progressive and Sentry.
- Does not offer coverage in all 50 states.
Why we like it:
NITIC has received praise for its customer service, earning a rating of 4.7 stars on TrustPilot, an independent customer review site. The company also has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Sentry: Best for trucking industry expertise
Pros:
- Offers coverage in all 50 states.
- In-house claims adjusters who specialize in truck insurance.
- Affiliated with trucking industry associations.
Cons:
- Detailed coverage information is not available online.
- Must work with an independent agent.
Why we like it:
Sentry insures tens of thousands of truck drivers and is an allied member of several trucking industry groups, including the American Trucking Association. While Sentry uses independent agents to sell its coverage, only those specializing in trucking handle its commercial truck insurance.
State Farm: Best for customer satisfaction
Pros:
- Extensive network of State Farm agents.
- High customer satisfaction rating.
Cons:
- Detailed coverage information is not available online.
- Must work with a State Farm agent.
Why we like it:
State Farm stands out among other business insurers as one of the best — earning top marks for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power’s annual small-business insurance study. All policies are sold through State Farm agents (more than 19,000 agents in all 50 states and the District of Columbia) and can be tailored to meet your business needs.
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How much does commercial truck insurance cost?
In 2020, the average monthly cost of commercial truck insurance ranged from $640 for specialty truckers, such as garbage trucks and septic trucks, to $982 for transport truckers hauling general freight, according to Progressive.
Your commercial truck insurance rate will depend on several facts, including:
- The truck you drive.
- The cargo you transport.
- The driving radius you cover.
- The state in which you operate.
- Whether you work under a lease or run under your own authority.
- Your driving history.
- Your years in business.
