If you're in trucking, insurance isn’t optional—it’s a big part of your bottom line. The cost of commercial truck insurance can vary widely depending on how you run your business. We’re here to break it down in plain language so you know what to expect—and what you can do to control it.
Factors
What affects the price?
Insurance companies look at a lot of factors, including:
Your operation type of freight, local vs long-haul, your base state
Location & radius
Years in business
Driver experience and safety record
CDL history, violations, and accidents
Vehicle age, type, and replacement cost
FMCSA safety scores
Claims history
Owner's credit score
Tip: safety performance and clean records are key to keeping costs low long-term.
Cost ranges
General Liability
Covers business activities outside
of the truck itself.
Small fleet (1–5 trucks)
$500–$600/year
Larger fleets
$1,000–$2,000/year
Commercial Auto Liability (Primary)
Required to operate. Covers damage you may cause to others.
Good record
$5,000–$8,000/year per truck
New ventures/minor violations
$10,000–$16,000
High-risks
$20,000–$30,000+
Cargo vans
30–50% less than tractors
Motor Truck Cargo
Protects the load in case of damage, theft, or spoilage.
Dry Van
Average
$1,000/year per truck
Preferred
$600–$800
High-risk
$1,200–$2,000
Reefer
Average
$1,200–$1,600
Meats, seafood, pharma
add 10–30%
Top rated
$800/year
High-risk
$2,000+
Flatbed / Oversize
Higher cargo limits
often $250k
Average
$1,200–$1,800
High-risk
$2,000+
Car Haulers
Average
$5,000 per truck
Preferred
$3,000–$4,000
High-risk
$6,000+
Exotic/Luxury
Limits up to $500k may add $1,000–$2,000/year
Physical Damage (Truck + Trailer)
Based on replacement value (not purchase price).
Rated as a % of vehicle value
2%–10%
Example:
$200,000 truck
~$6,000/year at 3% rate
Lower-value units may be rated higher (e.g., 8% for older trucks).
Higher-value equipment often gets better rate percentages.
Trailer Interchange
Covers non-owned trailers under interchange agreements.
Average
$600–$1,000 per trailer
Preferred
$400
High-risks
$1,200+
Occupational Accident Insurance
Protects owner-operators not under workers' comp.
Average
$120–$200/month per driver
Workers’ Compensation
For employee drivers; often required by law.
Trucking industry rates
5%–15% of payroll
Higher than most industries
Tips
What you can do to save
Keep FMCSA safety scores clean
Invest in driver training and vehicle maintenance
Consider higher deductibles
Work with an agent who specializes in trucking
Bundle multiple coverages
Ask about preferred-risk carrier options
