Commercial truck insurance is a type of vehicle insurance. Like personal auto insurance, commercial truck insurance provides liability coverage for bodily injuries and property damage, as well as damage to the truck.
But commercial truck insurance may also cover cargo loss or damage, refrigeration breakdown, trailer interchange, and more.
Whether you’re considering coverage for a fleet of vehicles or a single truck you use to transport goods for your business, here are Insurify’s top picks for the best commercial truck insurance companies.
Who needs commercial truck insurance?
If you own a trucking business, you’ll typically need to meet certain legal requirements for insurance coverage.1 More importantly, though, having proper commercial truck insurance coverage can protect your business against accidents, damage, loss of cargo, and other potential issues.
Whether you’re an owner-operator, a for-hire driver for a motor carrier, or a private carrier, it’s important to make sure you have sufficient coverage for your business. Some of the vehicles you can insure with a commercial truck policy include box trucks, dump trucks, tow trucks, garbage trucks, semitrucks, and tractor trailers.
Best commercial truck insurance companies
It’s important to shop around and compare multiple commercial truck insurance companies to determine the best fit for you and your business. Here are some top picks to help you get started with your research.
1st Guard: Best for flexible coverage options
1st Guard offers a broad range of coverage options, including liability, physical damage, non-trucking liability, occupational accident, and cargo insurance.2 What makes it stand out, though, is the ability to customize your coverage. For example, physical damage options include loan gap coverage, no-deductible glass coverage, and emergency expense reimbursement, among others.
You may also opt for extended towing, rental reimbursement, and roadside assistance. There’s often a single deductible for your truck and your trailer, and the company may waive your deductible if you have a grille guard installed.
Great West Casualty Company: Best for specialty coverage
Great West Casualty Company specializes in truck insurance, which means it understands your business needs better than insurers that offer a broader range of insurance policies.3 It also means it offers a range of coverage options, including some specialty policies for bulk commodity carriers, freight brokers, and freight forwarders. Other coverage types include auto and general liability, physical damage, cargo coverage, and workers’ compensation.
Progressive: Best for discounts
Our editorial team analyzed regional and national auto insurance companies that sell commercial truck insurance to assess which offer the best coverage options, customer service, and savings to drivers. We prioritized customizable coverage and vehicle options, discount opportunities, 24/7 customer service, and unique features.
What commercial truck insurance covers
Commercial truck insurance can cover a wide range of needs, though options vary depending on the insurance company. Here are some of the more common types of commercial vehicle insurance for trucks:
Motor carrier insurance: If you own a trucking company, you’ll typically need to maintain a minimum amount of liability insurance, including bodily injury and property damage and cargo insurance.
Owner-operator insurance: If you drive your own commercial vehicle or fleet — either for yourself or for a motor carrier — owner-operator insurance can provide coverage that goes above and beyond what a motor carrier might cover.
Private carrier insurance: If you provide transportation for your own company, you may need private carrier insurance. Examples include farmers, construction companies, and manufacturers.
Commercial truck insurance cost
The cost of commercial truck insurance can vary based on a number of factors, including the following:
Type of business
Truck type
Number of vehicles
Coverage levels
Type of cargo
Operating radius
Driving history
Location
Personal credit
Commercial truck insurance has higher liability requirements, and you may also need to buy coverage for cargo, trailer interchange, and other needs. Because of this, you can generally expect to pay more compared to a personal truck insurance policy.
How to file a commercial truck insurance claim
The claims process may vary a little by insurer, but here are some general guidelines to follow if you need to file a claim:
Gather information. Collect details from any other party involved in the accident, and take photos and videos to document the damage.
Contact your insurance company. Reach out to your insurer as quickly as possible to file a claim. You’ll want to provide a clear description of what happened, along with your documentation. Ask about the next steps in the process.
Work with your claims adjuster. You’ll be assigned an adjuster to your case. Be sure to answer any questions promptly and stay in touch to get updates on the status of your claim.
How to save on a commercial truck insurance policy
If you need a commercial truck insurance policy for your business, here are some steps you can take to maximize your savings on your coverage:
Commercial truck insurance FAQs
As you consider your needs and options for commercial truck insurance, here are some common questions you may come across.
What is the best commercial truck insurance company?
No commercial truck insurance company is best suited for everyone. As a result, it’s important that you take your time to evaluate your needs, shop around, and compare quotes and features from many insurers to find the best fit for you.
What does commercial truck insurance cover?
Depending on the insurer and type of policy you choose, commercial truck insurance may cover a variety of needs. Examples include bodily injury and property damage liability coverage, physical damage protection, cargo insurance, trailer interchange coverage, and many more.
What is the average cost of commercial truck insurance per month?
It’s hard to nail down an average cost for commercial truck insurance because it can vary significantly based on the type of trucking business you own, the number of vehicles in your fleet, and many other factors.
Is commercial truck insurance more expensive?
Compared to personal truck insurance, commercial truck coverage tends to be more expensive. This is because small-business owners who need commercial insurance typically have higher coverage requirements.
Does commercial truck insurance cover personal use?
You can purchase non-trucking liability coverage, which pays for bodily injuries and property damage caused when using your vehicle for personal use. For other coverage needs, though, you may need to obtain an insurance quote for a personal auto policy.