- Do you haul goods in your local area, throughout your state, in your region, or across the United States?
- Maybe you’re a new trucker or seasoned pro.
- Perhaps you lease your truck or own a large fleet of them.
- Maybe you haul canned goods, clothing, or expensive equipment.
No matter the case, if you depend on a truck or trucks to conduct business, you must have trucking insurance.
Finding the right truck coverage can be difficult since it is complicated. It is advisable that you should work with a broker or agency who can help you find the right coverages at the most affordable prices. This article will reveal the 7 best trucking insurance agencies in the United States and explain what you need to know to get the right coverage for your operation.
- The 7 best trucking insurance agencies
- What is a trucking insurance agency?
- How does a trucking insurance agency make money?
- How do you evaluate an insurance agency?
- The pros and cons of working with a trucking insurance agency
- How much does trucking insurance cost?
- How can I save money on trucking insurance?
The 7 best trucking insurance agencies
We’ve done the homework for you and reviewed the agencies offering trucking insurance. We’ve included information about the number of carriers each is affiliated with, their digital capabilities, and customer ratings, along with an overview of each insurer.
- Simply Business: Best for great trucking coverage at a fair price
- CommercialInsurance.net: Best for connecting trucking business with the most knowledgeable agents
- Colonial Insurance Services: Best for trucking insurance expertise
- Hummel: Best for truckers who want an insurance agency that cares
- JDW Truck Insurance: Best for personal consultations
- CoverWallet: Best for truckers who want to compare quotes quickly
- Smart Financial: Best insurance marketplace for truckers
Simply Business: Best for great trucking coverage at a fair price
Simply Business is more than a company name. It’s how the organization approaches trucking and other small business insurance. The firm takes pride in making insurance clear, simple, and affordable for the businesses that they serve.
Simply Business was founded in 2005. It’s an online insurance brokerage that specializes in protecting small businesses.
Carriers that Simply Business partners with
Simply Business offers coverage from 14 insurers, including Accredited America, American Builders Insurance Company, AXIS, biBERK, Clear Blue, Frank Winston Crum, Harborway, Hiscox, Markel, NASW, RLI, Travelers, and USG
Simply Business digital capabilities:
It seems likely that you can do more online than just get a quote from Simply Business. However, Simply Business does not list out its online capabilities.
Customer ratings
Simply Business has a 4.1 out of 5.0 star rating on Trustpilot.
- 71 percent of the ratings are five star (excellent)
- 16 percent are one star (bad)
Simply Business is committed to helping truckers and trucking businesses find the right coverage at the right price. With Simply Business, all you have to do is input information online about your trucking operation, and it will present you with quotes from top insurance providers. This allows you to compare costs and coverages and select the best trucker insurance for your business, all in a single place.
CommercialInsurance.net: Best for connecting trucking businesses with the most knowledgeable agents
CommercialInsurance.net is a leading agency serving trucking businesses and businesses in other industries. Commercialinsurance is known for its capabilities of connecting businesses with the most knowledgeable agents in the industry that the business is operating. They can do this because they partner with hundreds of agents across the country. These agents have accumulated years of experience in every industry and niches that your business might operate in.
- Number of carriers that Commercialinsurance.net partners with: On commercialInsirance.net website, they only list 4 carriers that they partner with: The Hartford, Gallagher, Liberty Mutual, and Progressive. However, the unique advantage of commercialinsurance.net is that they partner with thousands of agents who specialize in small business insurance across the country, who work with hundreds of insurance companies.
- Digital capabilities: You can get a quote online from CommercialInsirance.net
- Customer ratings: CommercialInsurance.net has a 2.8 out of 5.0 star rating on Trustpilot.
- 41 percent of the ratings are five star (excellent)
- 44 percent are one star (bad)
Colonial Insurance Services: Best for trucking insurance expertise
Colonial is a leading provider of trucking insurance. The experts at the firm understand the safety concerns of companies that haul goods. It has developed the expertise and infrastructure to offer superior insurance products and services that meet and exceed the safety-sensitive requirements of the industry.
Colonial is known for its:
- Relationships and market clout that allow it to secure the most competitive policy terms
- Ability to help with Department of Transportation compliance
- Custom analysis of SMS/CSA scores and recommendations on how to lower them
- MVR and Pre-Employment Screening Reports (PSP)
- Discounts on truck dash camera systems
- 24/7 online access to certificates of insurance
- Safety engineers who help prevent incidents and claims
- Timely policy changes.
Finally, when it comes time to renew your trucking insurance, you can expect Colonial to work with you to secure the most competitive terms available at that time.
- The carriers that Colonial Insurance Services partners with: Colonial Insurance Services offers coverage from 12 insurers that provide trucking coverage, including Allianz, Canal, Carolina Casualty, Chartis , CNA, Maxum , National Indemnity Company, Northland Insurance, Progressive, Seneca, Star, and Travelers
- Colonial Insurance services’s digital capabilities: You can get a quote and make payments on the Colonial Insurance Services website
- Colonial insurance services’ customer ratings: Colonial Insurance Services has 3.9 ratings from 37 customer reviews and ratings on birdeye.com.
Hummel: Best for truckers who want an insurance agency that cares
Hummel has been in business since 1957. The people at Hummel prefer to build relationships with clients, not merely sell them insurance.
The agency cares about its clients, and its agents pledge never to sell an insurance product because it benefits themselves. They strive to do what’s best for their clients even if it does not result in a sale.
The firm’s agents will take the time to ask the right questions and actively listen to you so they can recommend the best trucking insurance for you at the fairest price.
Hummel will provide you with the warmest and most human insurance experience of any provider on our list.
- Number of carriers: Hummel offers coverage from two insurers: Keystone Insurers Group and Trusted Choice
- Digital capabilities: You can find an office location on the Hummel website.
- Customer ratings: Hummel Insurance Group has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
JDW Truck Insurance: Best for personal consultations
JDW is a small insurance agency that offers trucking insurance coverage. The agency is committed to finding truckers the coverage they need at the best price. It has access to a wide range of insurance companies, making it likely it can meet the unique needs of different types of truckers. Request a consultation, and an expert will work with you to find trucking insurance that’s right for you. Be aware that DJW is not licensed to do business in all states.
- Number of carriers: JDW truck insurance agency offers coverage from 39 insurers serving the trucking industry: A-One RRG, ACE Fleet, ACE Hazmat, ACE / Westchester, Acuity, AIG, Allianz, Arch, Berkley Prime, Canal, Carolina Casualty, Century, Chubb, Crum Forster, Falls Lake, Great American, Great Lakes, Hallmark, Hudson Fleet, IAT, IFG – Burlington, James River, Lexington, Markel, National Casualty / Nationwide, National General, NICO, Northland, Penn-America, Progressive, Protective, Scottsdale Brokerage, Seneca, Sompo International, Travelers, Tokio Marine, United Specialty, USLI, World
- JDW truck insurance agency’s digital capabilities: You can get a quote and upload files on the JDW Truck Insurance website.
- JDW’s customer ratings: JDW Truck Insurance has different Google ratings for its operations in different states, ranging from 3.7 to five stars.
CoverWallet: Best for truckers who want to compare quotes quickly
CoverWallet is a cutting-edge insurance provider. The firm has developed its state-of-the-art platform, based on its algorithms, to ensure it can connect small businesses with the commercial truck and other business insurance they need at the most reasonable price. The platform makes it quick and easy to get quotes from several providers at once, making it possible to compare coverage and premium prices from highly reputable insurers all on a single screen.
The company’s experts have used their extensive experience to make sure you only have to input the information needed to generate quick and accurate quotes. The entire process should take less than ten minutes, even for coverage as complex as trucking insurance.
Once you get your quote, CoverWallet makes it easy to purchase a trucking policy online or through an agent. When you get your trucking policy through CoverWallet, it’s simple to manage your coverage online, including downloading a certificate of insurance, filing a claim, renewing your insurance, and more.
- Number of carriers: Coverwallet offers coverage from 11 insurers, including AmTrust, Atlas, Blackboard, Chubb, CNA, Employers, Guard, Hiscox, Liberty Mutual, Markel, and Progressive.
- Digital capabilities: CoverWallet has complete digital capabilities. You can purchase coverage, renew your policy, get proof one insurance, make a claim, and more on its website.
- Customer ratings: CoverWallet has a 4.9 out of 5.0 star rating on eKomi from 740 customer ratings.
- 94 percent of the ratings are positive
- 5 percent are negative
Smart Financial: Best for combining personal auto insurance and truck insurance
SmartFinancial was founded in 2012. They consider themselves a tech-enabled insurance agency committed to simplifying the insurance-buying experience with a transparent insurance-technology platform. It connects truckers and others with the right insurance products for them. It makes the insurance buying process easy. They offer personal auto insurance, commercial auto, and commercial truck insurance in all 50 states.
They started out helping consumers shop for affordable personal car insurance and expand to cover commercial auto and commercial truck insurance as well. If you want to combine your personal auto insurance with your commercial truck insurance to get some discount, you should definitely try them out.
- Number of carriers: Smart Financial offers coverage from six (probably more) insurers: 21st Century Insurance, Allstate, Hippo, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, and Progressive
- Digital capabilities: You can get a quote online from Smart Financial.
- Customer ratings: Smart Financial has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
What is a trucking insurance agency?
A trucking insurance agency is an insurance provider that specializes in providing coverage to truckers, trucking businesses, and companies that depend on trucks to operate their businesses. The agents that work for them are typically experts that know both insurance and the trucking business. They can help guide you to the coverage you need at a fair price.
A trucking insurance agency usually works with several trucking insurance companies. They can sell policies on behalf of trucking insurance companies. The fact that they work with several trucking insurance companies allows them to compare the coverages and the prices of these companies to find the best one for you.
Depend on their sizes, trucking insurance agencies usually employ several licensed agent who are very knowledgeable about all nuances in the trucking insurance industry and they have worked with hundreds of trucking businesses to find the best coverages at the cheapest prices.
How does a trucking insurance agency make money?
The trucking insurance agency, and the agents who work for it, earn a commission, or a percentage of each insurance sale. It’s paid by the company supplying the insurance. This may seem like it could work against you, but reputable agents and agencies, like the ones on the list, are committed to getting you the right coverage for their trucking clients at a fair price, NOT to earn the most income.
This may sounds a bit too ideal. But if you think about that it is in the best interests of the agency to find the best coverages at the lowest prices for their trucking business clients. Because their main interest is to keep the clients coming back to them every year. The clients may shop around at different agencies. If the other agencies offer a cheaper price, the clients will switch and the trucking agency will lose a client forever. Even worse, reviews, ratings, and word of month reputation will push more clients to leave them.
How do you evaluate an insurance agency?
There are several things you can check out to figure out whether an agency is one you want to work with:
- The number of insurance companies they work with and the quality of the carriers. If an insurer has more and better carriers, it’s more likely to be able to find you quality coverage at a fair price.
- The agency’s digital capabilities. Some agencies, especially older ones, may have antiquated web experiences. In today’s digital age, look for one that makes it easy for you to pay bills, make coverage changes, make claims, get proof of insurance, and do other things easily online, especially on a smartphone.
- Customer ratings and reviews. Studies show that between 70 and 90 percent of consumers check online ratings and reviews before making major purchases. Trucking insurance certainly qualifies. You owe it to yourself to check out the agency you are considering working with at the Better Business Bureau, on Trustpilot, or through Google reviews.
The pros and cons of working with a trucking insurance agency
Here are some of the PROS and CONS:
Pros
- You’re likely to get a more personalized level of service.
- You’ll get more personal support when you need to make a claim.
- You can get several quotes to compare and select the cheapest one for you easily because the agency should be able to pull several quotes from the companies that they work with.
Cons
- You may not be able to get help and support 24 /7.
- Not all agencies are able to sell insurance in all states
- If you want to buy trucking insurance from a particular carrier and the agency you are working with doesn’t work with that carrier, you are out of luck.
The pros and cons of working with a trucking insurance agency “near me”
Here are some of the PROS and CONS:
Pros
- Local agents are better able to understand the risks you face driving in your area.
- You can meet with your agent in person, and not just over the phone.
- Your agent is familiar with the industries in your local area.
Cons
- Will not be as good an option for truckers that cross state lines.
- May not be familiar with driving risks in other parts of the country.
- May not provide a convenient online experience for truckers, who drive long distances.
What is trucking insurance?
Trucking insurance, or also called commercial truck insurance, is a group of insurance policies covering the risks truckers face. Trucking policies include primary liability insurance and add other coverages based on individual needs. Primary liability truck insurance is almost always needed to operate a truck. It protects people and property from damage caused by your truck if you’re involved in an accident.
If you are a driver and want to drive on your own authority, you will need primary liability coverage along with other coverages depending on where you drive, what you haul, and the unique risks you face. If you are an owner-operator of a trucking company, then you’ll expand your trucking insurance to include general liability and other types of coverage, as well.
Do I need trucking insurance?
You are required to get primary general liability trucking insurance before you can operate one. It covers damage to other vehicles or people harmed when you have an accident. All trucks require at least $750,000 in primary general liability insurance coverage, although some, especially those that haul dangerous or valuable cargo or travel longer distances, usually need more.
General liability, which is only required if you rent business property, offers additional protection if a visitor is injured at your business location, you or someone who works for you damages someone else’s property while conducting business, or you’re sued over an advertising issue.
What’s important is that you get adequate insurance coverage to protect your truck and business from the risks it faces. According to a study sponsored by a leading group of independent insurance agents, the average cost of a commercial truck accident in the United States is just under $60,000.
Ask yourself: Could you cover all or a portion of those costs if you didn’t have adequate coverage?
What other types of coverage do truckers need?
Some other coverages you may need, especially if you drive interstate routes, include:
Cargo insurance
Cargo truck insurance covers the things you haul in your trailer. It’s not a coverage required by law or industry requirements, but most for-hire interstate owner-operators will make you purchase it. If you don’t have it, they won’t hire you. The standard limit for cargo insurance is $100,000, but you may need a higher level of coverage if you haul particularly valuable cargo. Learn more at the best motor carrier cargo truck insurance companies.
Bobtail insurance
Bobtail insurance covers you when you drive your truck without a trailer attached to it and you are involved in an accident. Learn more at the best bobtail insurance companies.
Sometimes it is confused between bobtail insurance and non-trucking liability insurance. They are similar but have subtle differences. Non-trucking liability insurance covers you when you drive your truck for personal purposes. Learn more at the best non-trucking liability insurance companies.
Trucking physical damage
Trucking physical damage insurance protects your tractor or trailer if it’s damaged in an accident. This coverage is required if you finance your truck. Even if you don’t, it’s a good idea to purchase it. Your truck is your livelihood. If it’s seriously damaged in an accident, you could be forced to pay for repairs out of pocket. Repairing trucks is expensive, and the cost of an accident could jeopardize the future of your trucking business. Learn more at the best trucking physical damage insurance companies.
Your insurance agent or rep at your insurance provider can advise you on the coverages and levels you need.
What types of trucks are covered by trucking insurance?
It’s possible to insure any type of truck. Different insurers offer coverage for different vehicles, so you may need to shop around to find the right protection.
Some common types of trucks covered by most insurers include:
- 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
- Farm truck – Learn more at the best farm truck insurance companies
What doesn’t trucking insurance cover?
Trucking insurance doesn’t cover intentional damage to a vehicle. For example, if you purposely damage a part of your truck to replace it with a newer or better one, your insurance company won’t cover it.
Truck insurance usually won’t cover personal losses or theft of personal items like cash, jewelry, or clothes. Contraband and explosives aren’t covered either. And if you haul live animals, they won’t be protected unless you get special insurance for them. If you’re not sure about what’s covered by a trucking policy, connect with your insurance agent or insurance company representative.
How much does trucking insurance cost?
The average monthly cost of trucking insurance is $175 a month. It can range between $85 a month for a minimum requirement policy to $330 a month for a comprehensive policy.
The cost can vary significantly. Many factors impact the price of coverage, including:
- Vehicle value
- Number of trucks
- What you haul
- Number of drivers
- Driving history
- Years in business
- Coverages you purchase
- Business size
- And more.
It’s a good idea to get several trucking insurance quotes and compare them to get the coverage you need at the best possible price.
Learn more at the average monthly cost of commercial truck insurance
How can I save money on trucking insurance?
There are many ways to save cash on truck coverage. However, when it comes to insurance, cheaper is not necessarily better. If you spend too little on insurance, you may not get the coverage you need to protect your operation adequately. Here are some ways you can get premium costs down:
- Hire drivers with clean driving records
- Drive carefully, so you don’t get tickets
- Mandate that employees attend safe driving classes
- Raise your deductibles, but always make sure you can pay them
- Pay your premium in full each year instead of monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually
- Always pay for your coverage on time
- Haul less risky cargo
- Ask about discounts
When it comes to discounts, you can typically get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) discount if you have had one for several years and if you’ve been in business for a relatively long time.
Learn more at the cheapest commercial truck insurance companies.
