What types of insurance do commercial trucks and trailers need?

Commercial trucks need primary liability (FMCSA minimum $750K for non-hazmat), physical damage (collision + comprehensive), and motor truck cargo coverage. Trailers need separate physical damage coverage or trailer interchange if you haul non-owned trailers. Equipment breakdown adds protection for reefer units and hydraulic systems.

Is trailer insurance separate from truck insurance?

Typically yes — your owned trailers can be scheduled on your commercial auto policy for physical damage coverage, or covered under a separate trailer policy. Non-owned trailers you operate under a written interchange agreement need trailer interchange coverage. Most full truck-and-trailer programs bundle both under one policy.

How much does commercial truck and trailer insurance cost?

A typical owner-operator package (liability $750K + cargo + physical damage on truck and trailer) runs $600–$1,200/month depending on truck value, cargo type, annual miles, and driving history. Fleet rates per unit are generally lower. New ventures with less than 2 years of authority history pay a significant surcharge.

🚛 Commercial Trucking Insurance Specialists

Truck and Trailer Insurance
Built for Your Rig

From hot shot pickups to Class 8 semis — comprehensive coverage for your truck, your trailer, and your cargo. One call, multiple quotes, same-day binding.

$750K–$1M commercial auto liability, FMCSA-compliant

Physical damage for truck and trailer separately

Motor truck cargo with commodity-specific limits

Equipment breakdown for reefer and hydraulic systems

All 50 states — same-day certificates issued

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The Right Coverage

Generic Insurance Doesn't Cover How Trucking Actually Works

❌ Problems with Generic Policies

⚠️Trailer not scheduled — physical damage claim denied
⚠️Cargo excluded — commodity not on approved list
⚠️No MCS-90 filing — FMCSA authority inactive
⚠️Non-owned trailer uncovered — interchange gap
⚠️Reefer breakdown not covered — lost cargo + repair
⚠️Business use exclusion — personal auto doesn't cover loads

✓ Trucking-Specific Programs

✅Truck AND trailer both scheduled on one policy
✅Cargo reviewed against your actual commodity list
✅FMCSA BMC-91 filing handled by our team at bind
✅Trailer interchange included for non-owned trailers
✅Equipment breakdown available for reefer units
✅Commercial use covered from departure to delivery

What We Cover

Complete Truck & Trailer Insurance Programs

Every coverage type your operation needs — from the power unit to the payload.

🚛

Commercial Auto Liability

FMCSA-required coverage for injury and property damage to others. BMC-91 filing included at bind.

From $750,000 CSL — $1M available

🔧

Truck Physical Damage

Collision and comprehensive coverage for your power unit — from hot shot pickup to Class 8 semi.

Stated value or ACV — deductibles from $1,000

🚌

Trailer Physical Damage

Separate physical damage coverage for owned trailers — flatbed, gooseneck, enclosed, dry van, reefer.

Per trailer or fleet schedule available

📦

Motor Truck Cargo

Covers the freight you're hauling against loss, theft, and damage. Reviewed against your commodity list.

$50,000–$250,000 limits available

🔁

Trailer Interchange

Physical damage for non-owned trailers you operate under written interchange agreements.

$25,000–$100,000 per trailer

❄️

Equipment Breakdown

Covers mechanical failure of reefer units, hydraulic systems, and specialized trailer equipment.

Add-on for refrigerated and specialty trailers

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Why Choose CCA

Trucking Insurance Built on Real Expertise

15+

Years in Commercial Trucking

Niche specialists, not generalists

2,500+

Active Trucking Clients

From single units to 20-truck fleets

A-Rated

Carrier Panel Only

AM Best rated, financially sound

24 hrs

Quote-to-Bind

Same-day COI issuance after bind

What Clients Say

Trusted by Truckers Across the Country

★★★★★

"I was struggling to get coverage for my flatbed and gooseneck together at a decent rate. CCA put both on one policy and saved me about $180/month compared to what I was paying."

Ray T.

Flatbed Operator, Oklahoma

★★★★★

"Got my MC authority and they handled the BMC-91 filing same day. Had my certificate in hand before noon. Exactly what a new authority operator needs."

Sandra M.

New Authority, Texas

★★★★★

"Running a 7-truck fleet, they set us up with a fleet policy that covers all our trailers and trucks. Way simpler than managing 7 individual policies. Renewals are a breeze."

Derek F.

Fleet Owner, Arizona

Common Questions

Truck & Trailer Insurance FAQ

Do I need separate insurance for my trailer? ▼

Your owned trailers can be scheduled on your commercial auto policy for physical damage coverage — no separate policy needed. However, non-owned trailers you operate under a written interchange agreement need trailer interchange coverage. We typically schedule both the truck and all owned trailers on the same policy for simplicity and cost efficiency.

What liability limit do commercial trucks need? ▼

FMCSA requires a minimum of $750,000 for non-hazmat freight under 10,001 lbs GVWR. For hazmat, the minimum jumps to $1M–$5M depending on commodity. Practically, most brokers and load boards require $1M CSL before they'll assign loads, so we typically recommend starting at $1M to keep your options open.

Does my cargo policy cover all types of freight? ▼

Standard cargo policies cover most general commodities against fire, theft, collision, and overturn. Common exclusions include: live animals, money, contraband, and certain hazmat. At quote, we review your specific commodity list to confirm coverage applies. If you haul multiple commodity types, we'll confirm all are covered before you bind.

What is equipment breakdown insurance for trailers? ▼

Equipment breakdown covers mechanical or electrical failure of trailer equipment — primarily reefer (refrigeration) units and hydraulic liftgates or systems. Without it, a compressor failure on a reefer trailer is excluded from standard physical damage and cargo policies. A failed reefer unit mid-route can cost $15,000–$40,000 in equipment repair plus cargo spoilage claims — equipment breakdown coverage turns that into a manageable deductible.

How do I get a certificate of insurance for a shipper or broker? ▼

After your policy binds, certificates of insurance (COIs) are typically issued same-day. For CCA clients, we have a 24/7 online certificate portal at contractorschoiceagency.com/certificates — request a standard COI anytime without waiting on business hours. Need a rush COI for a load on hold? Call us at 844-967-5247 and we'll handle it immediately.

How much does truck and trailer insurance cost? ▼

A complete owner-operator package (liability + cargo + physical damage on truck and trailer) typically runs $600–$1,200/month for a single unit. Factors that affect cost include: your driving record, years of authority history, vehicle value, cargo type, annual mileage, and state. Fleet programs for 2+ units typically offer lower per-unit rates. New ventures (less than 2 years of authority) pay a significant surcharge that phases out after 24 months of clean operation.

Can I get insurance for a used or older trailer? ▼

Yes — most carriers will write physical damage on trailers regardless of age, though older trailers (15+ years) may be limited to stated value coverage rather than ACV. For very high-value older trailers with recent refurbishments, we can discuss agreed value coverage. Simply have the VIN, year, make, and estimated market value ready when you call.

Do you handle fleet policies for multiple trucks and trailers? ▼

Yes — fleet programs are a specialty. For 2+ units, we can typically write a fleet policy with unified billing, a single renewal date, and simplified certificate management. Adding or removing trucks and trailers mid-term is handled through one contact. Fleet programs often provide per-unit savings vs. individual policies, and dedicated account management makes your day-to-day easier.

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