Comprehensive Guide to the Best Commercial Truck Insurance

Truck drivers are the unsung heroes of our society. A truck driver brings everything you buy from a store, including food, clothes, toys, and medicine. They drive thousands of miles every year, and they need protection for the vehicles that they rely on.

From local deliveries to over-the-road long hauls, you can find insurance that takes into account every need you might have. Truck insurance is vital to protecting drivers, their rigs, and the loads they carry. However, semi-truck insurance quotes can get pricey quickly, so it’s crucial to find the right coverage.

You can learn more about commercial truck insurance and the best companies for truckers below. Then, compare rates with as many companies as possible to get the best rates.

What is commercial trucking insurance?

Semi-truck insurance is a type of commercial car insurance specifically crafted for truck drivers. As any trucker knows, there are many different types of CDL jobs. From over-the-road (OTR) to local deliveries, truck drivers need a plan that fits their purpose.

Before you get into the details of your truck insurance, however, you should thoroughly understand state and local laws regarding the coverage you need. Then, you’ll need to make sure you have the right coverage as required by your broker and shippers you work with.

To start, here are the most common insurance requirements for truck drivers:

• Liability. If you damage someone’s property or cause an injury in an incident, liability insurance will help pay for it.
• Motor truck cargo. This coverage protects the load you’re carrying from fire, theft, refrigeration breakdowns, collisions, and other damage. It also helps pay for cleanup if your load spills.
• Non-trucking liability. Your truck is your place of work, but you’re not always on duty. Non-trucking liability covers damage and injuries while you’re off-duty.
• Rental reimbursement. If your truck is stuck in the repair shop, your insurance will reimburse you for a rental. If a rental cannot be obtained, you might be eligible for income reimbursement.
• Trailer interchange. This insurance option adds protection to trailers that you don’t own but are pulling as a part of an interchange agreement.

There are many other types of commercial trucking insurance you can purchase. When you shop for an insurance policy, one of the things you should look at is the range of options available for you.

Top Commercial Truck Insurance Companies

Looking for the top 10 commercial truck insurance companies? While rates will vary based on your unique circumstances, you can start with the best insurance trucking insurance companies.

State Farm

State Farm is one of the most well-known insurance companies in America. From homeowners coverage to life insurance, State Farm offers almost everything. State Farm’s truck insurance has fewer complaints than the national average and a reputation for excellent customer service.

State Farm offers coverage in all 50 states, but you have to speak with an agent to get a quote. However, you can get State Farm coverage whether you are in a single truck or have a massive fleet.

You can buy liability, comprehensive, personal injury protection (PIP), medical payments, collision, and uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance through State Farm.

State Farm also has one of the highest ratings from A.M. Best, which judges insurance providers by financial stability. State Farm has an A++ ranking.

Progressive

While State Farm might be larger for standard car insurance, Progressive covers the most commercial auto policies. Progressive covers a wide variety of trucks and offers multiple discounts. You can buy Progressive commercial truck insurance in all 50 states.

You’ll need to speak with an agent to sign up because there are no online tools. Additionally, Progressive limits how big your fleet can be. If you have a particularly large fleet, you should look elsewhere.

Progressive offers a wide range of coverage options, including motor truck cargo, trailer interchange, fire, theft, and non-trucking liability, along with all the standard options.

Check with an agent to see if you are eligible for discounts such as being paid in full, using electronic logging devices, and bundling.

Progressive holds an A+ from A.M. Best, meaning it has the financial power to pay your claims when you need them to.

Sentry

Sentry focuses on single-truck customers rather than big business and large trucking fleets. You can buy coverage as an owner-operator in all 50 states. It might be a smaller insurance company, but it’s been selling commercial coverage for over a hundred years.

As a smaller company, Sentry has the time to build a customized plan that covers all your needs. Sentry has filled its insurance offices with agents who understand the trucking industry, so they can help you overcome all the obstacles you face on the road.

While Sentry focuses on single-truck businesses, the company also offers coverage for small fleets. You can speak with an agent to learn if your fleet qualifies.

Sentry offers the standard insurance options, as well as motor truck cargo and non-trucking liability.

The Hartford

While Sentry focuses on single-truck businesses, The Hartford specializes in large fleets. You can buy coverage in all 50 states, but options are limited for single-truck businesses.

Where The Hartford shines is its FleetAhead program, which helps mitigate the risks of big fleets. This technology promises to help you reduce loss and ensure safety while helping your drivers increase their performance.

A final reason to consider The Hartford is that the company includes several features in its plans for no additional fees. These include one-deductible-for-two coverage and glass repair deductible waiver.

How much does semi-truck insurance cost?

As with all types of insurance, the amount you’ll spend on commercial truck coverage depends on a variety of factors. These factors include:

• Driving history. If you have a clean record, you’ll pay less for insurance. People with speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and other incidents will pay more and may even be denied coverage.
• Age. Young drivers have less experience and are more likely to engage in risky behavior.
• Gender. Statistically speaking, men are more likely than women to cause accidents or engage in risky driving habits.
• What you haul. As you know, some loads take more care than others. If you are in the business of transporting hazardous materials, you’ll pay more for insurance.
• How far you drive. Local drivers typically pay a little less than OTR because they drive fewer miles.
• Your truck. Insurance companies determine how to charge by looking at how often people with the same truck as you file claims. Repair costs will also be a factor in the price of your coverage.

While this isn’t exhaustive, it gives you an idea of where insurance companies start. Keep in mind that all insurance companies are different and will offer different rates for the same driver. Additionally, truck driving is one of the most dangerous jobs in America, which means you’ll face higher rates for that risk, as well.

Although your price depends on your needs and driver profile, you can get an idea of what you’ll pay by looking at the average cost of trucking insurance.

The prices above explain why it’s so important to compare rates with multiple companies. Shopping for quotes can save you thousands of dollars a year for the exact same coverage.

Find the Best Commercial Insurance for Your Needs

Whether you deliver in a 50-mile radius or coast-to-coast, you can find an insurance plan that will cover all your needs while saving you as much money as possible.

If you need commercial truck insurance, the best thing to do is compare quotes with as many companies as possible. Researching your options will ensure you get the best price possible and that you don’t pay for coverage you don’t need.