Truckers are the life’s blood of this nation. Without trucks and commercial trucking, we wouldn’t have groceries on the shelves, we wouldn’t be able to shop online, and if our car breaks down, we would be out of luck. Commercial trucking insurance helps drivers stay safe and stay on the road.
Here are our top recommendations for commercial truck insurance in Massachusetts:
- 6 best commercial truck insurance companies in Massachusetts
- What does Massachusetts commercial truck insurance cover?
- Types of trucks covered by commercial truck insurance
- How much does commercial truck insurance cost in MA?
- How to find cheap commercial truck insurance in MA?
6 best commercial truck insurance companies in Massachusetts
Hundreds of insurance companies offer commercial truck insurance in Massachusetts. Finding the best one for your needs can be confusing. We did the research and below are our top 6 recommendations if you are looking for commercial truck insurance in Massachusetts.
- Progressive: Best Overall
- CoverWallet: Best for comparing quotes
- Mass Trans Insurance Agency: Best local agency
- Acuity: Best for claim satisfaction
- Sentry: Best for specializing in trucking insurance
- Commercialinsurance.net: Best if you want to get all coverages in one place
Progressive: Best Overall
Progressive is the number one commercial truck insurer in the U.S. That might be because it’s easy to get a quote from them online—they’re one of the few companies that offers commercial truck quotes online.
This quote is for a tow truck company, with one owner and one driver.
You can also earn at least a 5% discount on your insurance by enrolling in the Smart Haul® Program. This allows Progressive to access your driving data. Since most truckers need to make safety a priority anyway, it’s an easy way to save some money.
Simply Business: Best for comparing quotes
Simply Business is a digital insurance broker or agency. They partner with many different insurance companies so that they can present you with two to three quotes to choose from, without having to go to individual company websites. That makes it really easy and convenient for you to compare several quotes in one location.
As you know, trucking is a complicated industry, with a lot of nuances. It may not be easy to provide quote comparison online. However, if you give them a call, they are alway able to provide you with several quotes to choose from.
Mass Trans Insurance Agency: Best local agency
Mass Trans specializes in commercial truck insurance. They offer insurance for:
- Truckers
- Livery services
- Contractors
- Personal use vehicles
They are multilingual, which is great if English is not your first language. They issue certificates of insurance within minutes. They are licensed for Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Kentucky.
You can get a quote by filling out a form. If you want cargo insurance, you’ll need to supply driving records for the past thirty days for all drivers. The form looks like this:
Acuity: Best for claim satisfaction
Acuity specializes in commercial trucking insurance as well. They insure over 45,000 trucks on the road and maintain a 95% claim satisfaction rate. They have cargo, excess liability, general liability, bobtail, deadhead, and any other types of insurance a commercial trucker needs. They also have a library of loss control information, so you can increase safety and perhaps lower your rates.
They only provide quotes through agents, though.
Sentry: Best for specializing in trucking insurance
Sentry isn’t specific to MA—they insure all fifty states. They’ve been around since 1904, though, with years of experience in commercial truck insurance. They specialize in commercial truck insurance. That’s the only thing they do. All of their agents specialize in trucking, so if you do call to get a quote, you’ll know you’re speaking to someone who knows what they’re talking about.
They are a smaller company, but they offer flexible coverage options. They insure everything from single truck operations to larger fleets—more than 37,000 truckers.
Commercialinsurance.net: Best if you want to get all coverages in one place
Commercialinsurance.net offers many types of business insurance, including commercial truck. You can get a quote, but after you put in all of your information, they will call you with the quote instead of just giving it to you online.
However, if you prefer to get all of your insurance in the same place, they might work for you. They work with an intensive network of agents who specializes in different coverages that you trucking business might need, even the ones that might be hard to find.
Reviews on Trustpilot are mixed. Some complain of being transferred from one person to another, and never actually getting a quote. Other reviews are more positive of the experience of working with them and their agents who are very knowledgeable.
What is commercial truck insurance?
Commercial truck insurance insures commercial vehicles. What’s considered a commercial truck? In Massachusetts, if your vehicle weighs more than six thousand pounds, it’s a commercial truck. They do make exceptions if it’s an SUV, a van, or a camper.
Commercial truck insurance requirements in Massachusetts
Residents of Massachusetts know that MA has a lot of rules regarding…well, everything. Commercial trucks are no different. If your truck exceeds state regulations, you’ll need a permit.
State regulations: trucks must not exceed:
- Motor vehicles (2 axles): 46,000 lbs.
- Vehicle or vehicle combination (3 axles): 73,000 lbs.
- 4 axles: 87,000 lbs.
- 5 or more axles: 99,000 lbs.
Your truck will also need a permit if the weight on any axle exceeds:
- Axles spaced less than 6 ft. apart: 18,000 lbs.
- Axles spaced more than 6 ft. apart: 22,400 lbs.
- Overall gross weight of 2 or more consecutive axles: 80,000 lbs.
In addition to weight limitations, there are height limitations as well:
- You will not need a permit if the width does not exceed 8 ft, 6 inches
- You will not need a permit if the height does not exceed 13 feet.
- There are also length limitations, which you can read here.
MA also requires commercial trucks to display their USDOT number on the side of the truck. On the plus side, it doesn’t cost anything to obtain a DOT number and if you don’t display your number, you’ll be subject to fines and possibly be removed from the road until you get one.
MA also requires vehicle inspections for safety and emissions. But don’t feel bad: everyone who drives a car in MA has to adhere to the inspections, too.
You must be insured up to the following levels, depending on what you haul:
| Oil transport | $1,000,000 |
| Hazmat | $5,000,000 |
| Household goods | $300,000 |
| General freight | $750,000 |
| Cargo insurance | $10,000 per vehicle |
There are federal requirements as well, so if you cross state lines, you will have to have enough insurance to comply with those. Most federal liability limits are $750,000 or $1,000,000.
What does Massachusetts commercial truck insurance cover?
In general, commercial truck insurance refers to the trucking primary liability insurance only, which is required in the state of Massachusetts. However, trucking companies in Massachusetts can get other coverages to protect their business. We highlight these coverages below for your consideration:
Trucking primary liability insurance coverage
This coverage is required by all state laws, including Massachusetts. Without it, it is illegal to operate a truck. It protects against physical harm or property damage caused by the trucker or the firm. It is probably the most expensive coverage in truck insurance. When people talk about commercial truck insurance, they probably refer to this coverage.
Cargo insurance coverage:
This might cover the truck’s cargo if it is destroyed during transport. It is an optional coverage. However, it has become more and more popular since many shippers and brokers require trucking companies to have this coverage to transport their cargo. Learn more at the best motor truck cargo insurance companies.
Non-collision coverage
This covers damages such as fires, theft, or natural disasters. This policy usually comes as an additional policy under comprehensive coverage.
Bobtail Insurance:
This policy protects truckers when they drive their trucks without cargo and without the trailers. It can be sometimes confused with non-trucking liability insurance. They are very similar but the nuances are different. Learn more at the best bobtail insurance companies.
Non-trucking liability insurance:
This insurance may protect a truck driver or trucking firm when their truck is used for purposes other than hauling or labor. After the trucker drops off the loads at the destination, he drives the truck to the garage or his home, if he gets into an accident while not having any cargo on his truck, this coverage will protect him. The primary trucking liability coverage protects him only when he carries the cargo on his truck. Learn more at the best non-trucking liability insurance companies.
Collision
Collision coverage covers costs incurred when a truck collides with another vehicle or other objects.
Trucking physical damage coverage
This coverage pays for reparation and replacement of your truck when it is damaged. You can get this coverage to protect your truck in case your truck is damaged in an accident and you are at fault. Or the comprehensive coverage can protect your truck in non-accident incidents as well such as storm or animal hitting your truck. Learn more at the best trucking physical damage insurance.
Workers comp insurance for truckers
If your trucking company hire full-time drivers, you are required to provide them with workers comp insurance. Workers comp insurance covers employees when they are injured or become sick at work. Trucking is a high-risk industry with truckers getting injured at a much higher rate compared to other industries. Having full-time truckers protected by workers comp insurance is critical. Learn more at the best workers comp insurance for truckers.
Occupational accident insurance
If you hire truckers as independent contractors, you may not need to provide workers comp insurance since independent contractors are generally exempt from workers comp insurance in Massachusetts. However, you still need to ensure that if your drivers get injured while driving for you, they are protected. That’s the reason why you need occupational accident insurance. It is a lighter form of workers comp insurance and it is a popular option for truckers. Learn more at the best occupational accident insurance companies for truckers.
Types of trucks covered by commercial truck insurance
Trucks are responsible for hauling all sorts of goods. To fulfill so many different needs, there are many types of trucks that need commercial truck insurance:
- Tow trucks – Learn more at tow truck insurance cost and the best tow truck insurance companies
- Refrigerated trucks
- Flatbed tow trucks
- Loggers – Learn more at the best log truck insurance companies
- Livestock
- Semi-trucks – Learn more at semi truck insurance cost and the best semi truck insurance companies
- Snowplows
- Dump truck – Learn more at dump truck insurance cost and the best dump truck insurance companies
- Log truck – Learn more at the best log truck insurance companies
How much does commercial truck insurance cost in MA?
The average cost of commercial truck insurance in MA is $13,792 a year or $1,149 a month. However, that’s for a one-truck operation and includes trucking primary liability, non-trucking liability, physical damage, and cargo insurance coverages. The bigger your trucking operation is, the more you’ll have to pay.
Below is the breakdown of the average costs of different coverages:
| Trucking insurance coverages | Average cost in Massachusetts |
| Primary liability coverage | $720 a month |
| Non-trucking liability coverage | $90 a month |
| Trucking physical damage coverage | $170 a month |
| Cargo insurance | $169 a month |
Commercial truck insurance is expensive. The only way you can make sure not to pay more is to comp are quotes from several providers so that you can choose the cheapest one.
What factors affect your commercial truck insurance cost?
Many factors affect how much you pay for commercial truck insurance in MA (or anywhere else) such as:
Leasing versus driving under your own authority
Leasing to a company is much less expensive than running under your own authority. It’s because leasing companies typically cover the liability exposure of their drivers. Drivers often need to secure their own bobtail and other insurance to cover gaps, but it’s less expensive than paying for primary liability coverage.
Contractual requirements
Certain trucking contracts require more — and more types of — insurance than others. If you check contracts carefully, you can avoid raising your coverage levels unexpectedly — and types of coverage — and your insurance premiums.
Cargo
Commercial truck insurance costs are heavily impacted by the type of cargo you haul. Some classes are riskier to carry than others. For example, an accident that involves a truck transporting heavy tractor parts will likely cause more harm than one carrying pillows and bedding. If you want to save on your coverage, consider the types of loads you plan to haul.
Tip: When getting truck insurance quotes, it’s essential that you accurately disclose the types of cargo you will be carrying to reduce the chances of having a claim denied.
Operating radius
Truckers who drive longer distances are typically exposed to higher risks because of longer drive times between stops and driving less familiar routes. A truck driver who travels longer distances will usually pay more for insurance than a driver who handles local routes.
Type of vehicle
All things equal, including hauling the same types of cargo, a heavy semi-truck will justify a higher commercial truck insurance premium than a lighter pickup truck because of its potential to cause more damage in an accident and higher repair costs.
Driving history
Accidents and violations have a much more significant impact on commercial truck policy prices than on standard auto policies because large trucks transporting heavy cargo can cause significantly more damage. Even a minor speeding ticket on a trucker’s driving record could significantly increase insurance costs. Maintaining a clean driving record could save a trucker or business hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars in insurance costs each year.
Location
Commercial insurance rates vary by state. You could pay more or less for insurance depending on where you operate. Drivers can save on commercial truck insurance by driving in lower-cost states. If you think your Virginia premiums are too high, it may make sense to do business elsewhere.
Coverages and levels
More insurance coverage at higher levels gets you additional protection, but it will cost you more. Work with your insurance agent or company representative to come up with the correct amount of coverage to protect you that you can afford.
Deductibles
You can lower your truck insurance costs if you get coverage with higher deductibles. That’s the amount of money you have to pay out of pocket before your coverage kicks in. If you decide on a higher deductible, always make sure you have enough cash on hand to pay it. Otherwise, you may not be able to get your truck repaired, which could very negatively impact your livelihood.
Discounts
It’s always worth checking that you’re receiving all you are eligible to get.
Insurer
Different insurers price their policies differently. That’s why it’s essential to get quotes from multiple providers to find the best combination of coverages and premium prices for you. You owe it to yourself to get quotes from several of the insurers covered in this article.
How to find cheap commercial truck insurance in MA?
Below are some key factors affecting your commercial truck insurance in Massachusetts:
Compare quotes
Make sure you obtain quotes from at least three companies. Rates can vary by hundreds of dollars, sometimes even thousands. Once you have insurance, you should shop around every two or three years. Insurance companies like to raise rates over time, hoping you won’t notice.
Driving records and current CDLs
Safety is the number one concern for truckers and insurance companies. If you want lower rates, you’ll have to employ drivers with clean records and current CDLs.
Make sure you inspect your trucks before they head out on the road. Routine maintenance goes a long way to preventing breakdowns and possible safety issues. Some insurance companies have tracking devices you can put on your trucks. These monitor your drivers, and they will usually earn you a discount.
Ask for discounts
Speaking of discounts, ask about them. You might get a discount if you bundle several policies, or if you pay in full, or if you have been in business for 2+ years. Insurance companies offer a bunch of discounts and sometimes they don’t take the time to disclose all to you. Make sure you ask for them and go through to see if you can be eligible for any of these discounts.
Increase deductible or decrease coverage limits
Consider raising your deductible and/or decrease coverage limits. In some cases, you can’t really lower your limits, because of state laws, but raising your deductible will save you some money.
Last thoughts
Truck drivers in MA should be aware of safety standards and of course, comply with MA many rules and regulations surrounding commercial trucking. Make sure you shop around to get the best rates.
