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Motor Carrier Insurance for For-Hire Trucking
Reliable protection for your trucks, cargo, and operation
Motor carrier insurance coverage tailored to your businesses needs
You invested a lot in your trucking business, so you want to be sure it's protected. After all, your trucks are your livelihood — that's why motor carrier insurance designed specifically for for-hire truckers is so important. Choosing the right motor carrier coverage is the best way to protect your investment and your business.
What is motor carrier insurance?
Motor carrier insurance is commercial truck insurance for drivers who transport goods or passengers for other companies. For-hire truckers have been given operating authority and a motor carrier number by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). To qualify for this authority, truckers must also meet the FMCSA's federal insurance requirements.
Liability insurance is the minimum type of coverage that for-hire truckers need, but additional coverages can help protect drivers, passengers, third parties, non-owned trailers, and more. Start an online quote or call an insurance expert to explore your options.
What does motor carrier truck insurance cover?
Motor carrier insurance covers key risks for for-hire truckers, but the specifics depend on the truck insurance options you choose. Policies start with required coverage and can be customized with optional protections for your trucks, drivers, and business. This flexibility lets you build a policy that fits your operation and supports your contractors.
Mandatory motor carrier insurance coverages
Liability insurance is required for all for-hire motor carriers. It helps pay for bodily injury and property damage you cause to others while driving your truck.
See commercial truck insurance by state for more specific details on insurance limits and guidelines.
Optional motor carrier insurance coverages
To make sure you have the best protection when you're on the road, you should also consider purchasing optional motor carrier insurance coverages, such as:
- Physical damage: Can pay for repairs to your truck if it's damaged in a covered event, like an accident with another vehicle or a falling tree branch. This protection can be included in policies with collision insurance, comprehensive insurance, or fire and theft with combined additional coverage.
- Medical payments: Available in select states, this first-party coverage can pay medical bills for you and any passengers in your truck who are hurt in an accident.
- Uninsured motorist: Can cover injuries and damages to you, your passengers, and your vehicle if a driver without insurance or with too little insurance causes an accident. You can't get this coverage in every state, so you'll want to check availability where you live when you get a quote.
- Motor truck cargo: Helps protect the cargo you're hauling if it's lost, damaged, or stolen.
For-hire truck liability insurance
Many motor carriers work with permanently leased independent contractors. If you're one of these for-hire owner operators, you may be covered by your motor carrier's primary liability insurance while under dispatch. But you may still need to get non-trucking liability insurance to prevent gaps when you're not using your truck for work.
State and federal motor carrier insurance requirements
Motor carriers need to meet state and federal regulations to operate under their own U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) authority. These guidelines are based on vehicle weight, the type of freight you haul, and where you travel.
Progressive Commercial makes it easy to get motor carrier filings that prove you have the right coverage. From the SSRS Form E to MCS-90 filing, we can help. Once you submit your motor carrier authority, we'll take care of the rest. We'll even file the paperwork for you.
How much does motor carrier insurance cost?
In 2024, the national average cost for for-hire truckers with Progressive Commercial ranged from $746 for specialty truckers to $954 for other types of transport truckers. Your motor carrier insurance cost will vary, depending on numerous factors, including:
- USDOT authority
- Coverage options
- Vehicle type
- Cargo
- Operating radius
- Driving history
Learn more about how we determine the cost of commercial truck insurance.
Why choose Progressive Commercial for motor carrier insurance for for-hire trucking
Progressive Commercial has supported truckers for over 50 years. In that time, we've grown to be the #1 commercial truck insurance company in America.Δ We provide flexible coverage and payment options, filings, specialized heavy truck claims service, discounts, and expert support.
Let us help you find the right motor carrier insurance for your trucking business. Start a quote online today.
