In 2017, the state of Michigan had 13,416 accidents involving trucks. Sadly, more than 2,000 of these accidents resulted in injuries. For the truck drivers and their companies, that would mean a lot of money to pay for damages and medical bills.
But why pay huge amounts for accidents when truck insurance can cover you? Here are some of the best commercial truck insurance companies in Michigan for you to make things easy. We also have details on the policy, so you know what you are buying upfront.
- The 6 best commercial truck insurance companies in Michigan
- What does commercial truck insurance cover?
- Commercial truck insurance requirements in Michigan
- Types of trucks covered by commercial truck insurance
- How much does commercial truck insurance cost in Michigan?
- What factors affect the commercial truck insurance cost in Michigan?
- How to find cheap commercial truck insurance in Michigan?
The 6 best commercial truck insurance companies in Michigan
More than 100 companies offer commercial truck insurance in Michigan. We have done the research and here are our top 6 providers for your consideration.
- Progressive: Best Overall
- Simply Business: Best for comparing several quotes
- Nationwide: Best for comprehensive coverage
- Sentry: Best for large companies
- Smart Financial: Best for combining commercial truck coverage with your personal auto policies
- Commercialinsurance.net: Best for small trucking companies
Progressive: Best Overall
Progressive is one of the largest commercial truck insurance (and auto insurance) sellers in the United States. The company has tailored coverage for all types of trucking businesses from owner-operator truckers with authority or those that operate under a lease, to trucking companies with 1-20 trucks, or those with a full fleet of trucks. However small or big your trucking business is, you can count on Progressive having a policy that works for you.
Furthermore, Progressive provides a variety of discounts for their customers. For instance, customers who have been in business for more than three years can get a discount when they buy this policy. Also, those who combine commercial truck insurance with other business coverage and personal auto insurance may get some discounts.
Simply Business: Best for comparing several quotes
Simply Business is a tech company that helps businesses find the best insurance policies. They are an agency and work with many well-known insurance companies such as Travelers, Hiscox, CNA, biBERK, etc. The policy is specifically designed to safeguard you and your trucks during work-related activities.
If you need commercial truck insurance, the company can work with you to find the best prices. As a digital broker, they allow you to compare quotes from various insurers and select the best one. They also help you find discounts if possible.
Nationwide: Best for comprehensive coverage
Nationwide provides comprehensive truck insurance coverage. This includes primary auto liability, medical payments, collision and comprehensive insurance, and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Business owners can also purchase additional coverage options for their trucking company if they want.
The company offers its policies to different trucks except for semi-trucks and tractor-trailers. If you need this policy, you might need to buy from a different provider for semi-truck insurance.
Furthermore, Nationwide has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and has been a BBB accredited member since 1955. This means that Nationwide has met the BBB’s highest standards for fair and ethical business practices.
Sentry: Best for large companies
Sentry is a member of the American Trucking Association and insures over 37,000 truck drivers. The company’s insurance policies are only available through trucking-specific insurance agencies.
Sentry insures trucks in all 50 states, with policies for businesses of all sizes ranging from small businesses in various industries to independent truckers and fleet operators. Sentry’s trucking insurance is not limited to the trucking industry. The policy can cover many businesses that require commercial truck insurance.
AM Best has rated Sentry A+ for its Financial Ratings for the past 30 years, and it has also been named a top 20 commercial auto insurer.
Smart Financial: Best for combining commercial truck and personal auto policies
Smart Financial is a subsidiary of Smart Insurance Group. This company aims to assist truck companies in locating the best coverage that suits their needs and budget. Smart Insurance Group works with many top-rated insurance carriers to find you the best rate and coverage for your needs.
They also allow their clients to combine policies to save even more money. If you want to combine your personal auto policy with your commercial truck insurance to earn additional discount and manage your policies more conveniently. You may want to consider them. Plus, their rates are competitive and dependable.
CommercialInsurance.net: Best for small trucking businesses
If you can’t get the right policy due to the small size of your company, CommercialInsurance.net might help you. CommercialInsurance.net was founded as an insurance broker to assist businesses with less than $10 million in revenue obtain affordable and dependable insurance policies that meet their needs and cover their risks.
CommercialInsurance.net provides various knowledge-based articles to help business owners learn about trucking insurance. After completing the online quotes form, an agent will contact you between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to learn more about your company and the options available to meet your needs.
What does commercial truck insurance cover?
Commercial truck insurance protects trucking companies or companies that use trucks to transport goods. The policy also includes insurance options for independent truck drivers.
The term refers to a variety of insurance policies required for trucking operations, such as:
Primary trucking liability Insurance
Trucking companies that operate under their authority are subject to primary auto liability. Primary auto liability provides liability for the carrier and any owned or operated truck operating under the motor carrier’s authority as long as a covered auto is dispatched.
Physical damage coverage
Physical damage coverage or comprehensive and collision coverage covers physical damage to scheduled equipment. It covers collisions with other vehicles or stationary objects, fire, theft, vandalism, deer hits, and natural disasters are typical examples of physical damage loss. Learn more at the best trucking physical damage insurance companies.
Non-trucking liability protection
Non-trucking liability allows owner-operators to comply with road laws even when they are not directly dispatched by the motor carrier to which they are leased. Non-trucking liability includes bodily injury and property damage. When the owner/operator is dispatched, the motor carrier’s primary auto liability will cover them. The owner/non-trucking operator’s liability protects them when they are not dispatched. Learn more at the best non-trucking liability insurance companies.
Motor truck cargo coverage
This coverage provides for the value of the load being transported on or within the trailer in the incident of peril such as damage or loss. It is usually required by the shippers or brokers. They only sign contracts with the truckers or trucking companies that have the coverage. Its price varies depending on the cargo types that you haul. Learn more at the best truck cargo insurance companies.
Bobtail coverage
Bobtail has largely been replaced by non-trucking liability. However, there is a subtle but critical distinction between both coverages. Assume a motor carrier sends an owner-operator to drop off a load. There may be a few hours before the next shipment is ready for pickup after the delivery. The owner operator drives their truck for personal reasons without a trailer attached to it during these hours. Bobtail would cover the liability exposure if the owner operator gets involved in an accident during these hours when he drives the truck without a trailer attached to it while non-trucking liability might not. Learn more at the best bobtail insurance companies.
Medical payment
Medical payments or med pay coverage is typically a lower limit, ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. The policy covers the owner and any passengers for injuries sustained while on or operating a scheduled unit.
Commercial truck insurance requirements in Michigan
Local truck drivers and new businesses in Michigan are required by state laws to carry minimum liability insurance. The amount you require is determined by the freight you transport and where it is transported. If you do not leave the state and your truck has a GVW of more than 10,000 pounds, you must obtain an intrastate only USDOT number and carry the following insurance:
- Liability Insurance of $750,000 (General Freight)
- Liability Insurance of $1,000,000 (Oil Transport)
- Liability Insurance of $5,000,000 (Hazmat)
- Liability Insurance of $300,000 (Household Goods)
Insurance requirements for truck drivers leaving the state are more stringent. You must meet the requirements listed above and comply with all FMCSA-recommended truck insurance requirements. The majority of federal liability limits range from $750,000 to $1,000,000.
You need to submit certain filings to Michigan and the US DOT to get your truck insurance. Your insurance agent or company might complete and submit these filings for you. These forms notify the government that all of your DOT truck insurance requirements have been met. They must be submitted before you can be granted authority. The following are some common forms:
- The BMC-95
- Form MCS-94
- Form H
Types of trucks covered by commercial truck insurance
Insurance companies have different policies regarding trucking insurance. Therefore, the insurance company ultimately determines the type of truck covered by commercial truck insurance. In general, most companies provide commercial truck insurance for the following types of trucks:
- Tractor-trailers
- Dump trucks – Learn more at dump truck insurance cost and the best dump truck insurance companies
- Cement mixers
- Box trucks – Learn more at box truck insurance cost and the best box truck insurance companies
- Tow trucks – Learn more at tow truck insurance cost and the best tow truck insurance companies
- Semis – Learn more at semi truck insurance cost and the best semi truck insurance companies
- Pickup trucks – Learn more at the average pickup truck insurance cost per month
- Log truck – Learn more at the best log truck insurance companies
How much does commercial truck insurance cost in Michigan?
In Michigan, the average cost of commercial truck insurance is $11,400 a year or $950 a month . The majority of premiums range from $7,500 to $20,300. This cost is for a 40 years old owner operator trucker with his own authority driving a semi-truck with 5 years of experience. The policy covers trucking primary liability, non-trucking liability, physical damage, and cargo insurance coverages with the following breakdowns:
| Trucking insurance coverages | Average cost in Michigan |
| Primary liability coverage | $670 a month |
| Non-trucking liability coverage | $30 a month |
| Trucking physical damage coverage | $150 a month |
| Cargo insurance coverage | $100 a month |
These costs are only estimates from our general market survey. Therefore, depending on your insurance company and your business type, your insurance cost might differ from these estimates. Be sure to shop around with a few companies or work with a broker such as Simply Business, Commercialinsurance.net, CoverWallet, or Smart Financial to compare several quotes to find the cheapest one for you.
What factors affect the commercial truck insurance cost in Michigan?
The price of commercial truck insurance largely depends on the amount of risk the insurance company carries on your behalf. Ideally, the riskier your trucking business is, the more premium you pay.
To determine the risk associated with your trucking business, insurance companies may consider the following factors:
Truck model
Your truck’s model is one of the most critical factors determining insurance cost. Larger and heavier trucks are regarded as riskier due to their difficulty in maneuvering. As a result, they are more likely to be involved in accidents that cause vehicle damage and driver injuries. Heavier trucks are also more likely to transport hazardous cargo, demanding higher insurance premiums.
Insurance required
Another important consideration is the type of coverage you require. The more policies you select for your business, the more you will pay. There is, however, a slight twist. If you pay for more than one policy, you may be eligible for discounts.
Your truck drivers
Your truck drivers play an essential role since they will always be with the truck. The chances that accidents will happen largely depend on your drivers’ quality.
Therefore, your insurer will likely want to know your drivers before offering you a quote. You might pay more for your premium if you have too young drivers (18-25 years). That’s because the driver has little or no driving experience at that age. The insurance company cannot have a concrete driving history that tells how good or bad they are.
However, drivers above the age of 25 with clean driving history get reduced prices. The driving history includes accidents and bookings. At the same time, a driver who is too old (65 years above) might cost you more.
Previous insurance coverage
Your insurance history is also crucial. Your premium for truck insurance may be higher if you have a long history of canceled claims due to late payments. In addition, if you have made multiple claims in the past, your premium may be higher.
The insurer is likely to offer a higher premium because they believe you will either fail to pay on time or will have more claims, as your history suggests.
Trucking business
Another factor affecting your premium is the type of trucking business you run. First, the company will like to know how long you have been in business. This is important because, in most cases, older companies have access to top industry tips that help them stay safe. But newer companies are more likely than a well-established ones to make dangerous mistakes. As a result, to cover these potential errors, new businesses must pay higher premiums.
Also, you will be charged a higher premium if your trucks travel through dangerous routes. The company will consider poor road conditions, high population density, and extreme weather conditions to determine if the route is risky. Traveling interstate with your truck will also raise your premium.
Cargo
Your cargo also has a significant impact on the cost of your premium. Premiums will be higher if your truck transports expensive items. This is due to the higher cost of replacing such items. Furthermore, if you transport hazardous materials, your premiums will be higher.
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.
How to find cheap commercial truck insurance in Michigan?
If you feel your premium for truck insurance is too expensive, there are a few things you can do. The following are a few ideas to help you get the best deal on your commercial truck insurance:
Compare prices from various companies.
As we already mentioned, the price of trucking insurance varies from one company to another. Therefore, it is best to contact as many companies as possible when seeking quotes. However, some companies offer less protection at lower prices to attract customers.
Take advantage of any available discounts.
Many companies offer a variety of commercial truck insurance discounts. So, figure out which ones apply to you to get the best deal. The following are some of the most common discounts you might enjoy:
- Discounts for having a commercial driver’s license
- Discounts for being a long-standing business,
- Discounts for buying multiple policies at once.
- Some insurers may also provide a discount if you pay your annual premiums in one lump sum.
Commitment to safety
Having a safety plan where you teach your drivers about safe driving might help you get some reductions in your insurance cost.
Increase your insurance deductibles
Another option that we do not recommend is to raise your deductibles. Your deductible refers to the amount you will pay to cover damages if an incident occurs. However, this is risky because you will be liable for more in the event of an accident while you are trying t save just a few dollars.
What doesn’t commercial trucking insurance cover in Michigan?
If you have good coverages on your trucking insurance, it should go a long way to protect you. However, there are limits to the level of protection you get from your trucking insurance.
The following are some examples of situations in which your trucking insurance will not protect you:
- Additional damages above the policy limit.
- Commercial truck insurance policies do not cover damage to other people’s property, personal items, or automobiles, even if the person in charge of the property or automobile is insured.
- Commercial truck insurance policies do not cover cargoes such as jewelry, cash, medication, etc.
- Commercial truck insurance policies will not cover injuries or damages caused by intentional harm to another person or property.
