Insurance for Trucking and Transportation Businesses
Trucking insurance is a specialized line of commercial coverage with its own underwriting requirements, regulatory filings, and market considerations. Minnesota trucking businesses — from small owner-operators to mid-size fleets — need coverage that reflects how they operate, what they haul, and where they run.
This page is primarily directed at Minnesota trucking businesses operating approximately 3 to 10 power units, though we work with qualified operations outside that range. It covers for-hire carriers, private carriers, and owner-operators who need commercial trucking insurance, including those who require FMCSA or state filings.
Common Exposures for Trucking Businesses
Auto liability
A serious accident involving a commercial truck can result in significant bodily injury and property damage claims. Commercial auto liability is the foundation of any trucking insurance program.
Physical damage to equipment
Tractors, trailers, and specialized equipment represent major capital investments. Collision and comprehensive coverage protect against accidents, theft, fire, and weather.
Cargo loss and damage
Motor truck cargo coverage protects the freight you're hauling against loss or damage in transit. Coverage terms vary significantly by commodity and carrier.
Workers' compensation
Driver injuries — including loading and unloading accidents — are a significant exposure for trucking businesses with employees.
Non-trucking liability
When a leased owner-operator uses a truck for personal use outside of dispatch, the primary carrier's policy may not apply. Non-trucking liability fills that gap.
Trailer interchange
If you pull trailers owned by other carriers under a trailer interchange agreement, you may need trailer interchange coverage to protect against damage to those trailers.
Regulatory filings
For-hire carriers operating in interstate commerce typically need FMCSA filings (Form MCS-90 or BMC-91). Intrastate carriers may need state-level filings. Filing requirements depend on the operation.
Coverages Commonly Considered
Commercial Auto
The primary coverage for trucking operations — includes auto liability, physical damage, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Learn moreWorkers' Compensation
Required by Minnesota law for most employers. Covers driver injuries and other work-related injuries.
Learn moreGeneral Liability
Covers non-auto bodily injury and property damage claims — such as incidents at a shipper's dock or during loading and unloading.
Learn moreInformation Typically Needed for a Review
- Vehicle schedule — year, make, model, VIN, and value for each power unit and trailer
- Driver list — name, date of birth, CDL number, and motor vehicle record (MVR) for each driver
- Description of operations — what you haul, where you run (operating radius or states), and whether you operate as a for-hire carrier, private carrier, or both
- Commodities hauled — some cargo types (hazmat, refrigerated goods, high-value freight) affect eligibility and pricing
- DOT number and MC number if applicable
- Prior loss history — typically three to five years, including any DOT-reportable accidents
- Current policy declarations if coverage is already in place
Situations That May Require Special Underwriting
- Drivers with recent moving violations, DUI history, or at-fault accidents may significantly affect eligibility and premium, or result in declination by some carriers.
- Hauling hazardous materials, oversized loads, or high-value commodities typically requires specialized programs and additional underwriting review.
- New ventures — trucking businesses without an established operating history — face more limited market options.
- Operations with prior cargo claims, especially for high-value or temperature-sensitive freight, may face underwriting restrictions.
- Not every trucking operation can be placed in the standard market. Some risks require surplus lines or specialty programs, and we will be straightforward about what is available for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Coverage availability, eligibility, and terms vary by carrier, program, and individual risk characteristics. Not every trucking operation can be placed in the standard market. The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute a coverage guarantee or commitment to insure.