Are you the owner or operator of a trucking business? When you’re hauling cargo over long distances, anything can happen. A commercial auto policy with truck insurance coverage will give you and your drivers peace of mind.
As experts in the commercial vehicle financing industry, we are often asked about commercial vehicle insurance. Here, you will find the answers to the most commonly asked commercial truck insurance questions.
Insurance for Commercial Trucks: Frequently Asked Questions
Unsure about your need for truck insurance or what coverage to get? These are the 12 most common commercial truck insurance questions we’ve come across.
What Does Commercial Truck Insurance Cover?
The trucking industry in 2025 is filled with challenges, but it also offers opportunities. Commercial truck insurance designed for commercial vehicle use will protect your commercial fleet investment.
Commercial truck insurance covers businesses that use vehicles like trucks and vans to transport goods or materials. Policy requirements may vary based on vehicle type and weight class and the cargo being transported.
What Insurance Do I Need for My Commercial Trucking Business?
One of the most common commercial truck insurance questions centers around the coverage needed.
In the US, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a division of the Department of Transportation (DOT), mandates commercial truck insurance for trucking businesses.
They typically require a minimum of $750,000 commercial auto liability coverage.
Can I Get Primary Liability and Cargo When I’m Leased to a Motor Carrier?
If you’re leasing a truck, you’ll need leased operator semi-insurance. The motor carrier you lease from will shoulder most of the insurance burden. We recommend that you get non-trucking liability for coverage when you’re not under dispatch and physical damage coverage.
If you plan on leasing out your truck to other operators, be aware that the FMCSA requires the lessor to have liability coverage. The lessee is responsible for their motor truck cargo insurance.
What Is the Minimum Coverage Needed to Get My Authority?
Whether you use a new or used commercial truck, the FMCSA requires commercial auto liability insurance before providing an operating authority or motor carrier number. Collision coverage is recommended but not mandatory.
What Insurance Do I Need to Run Under My Authority?
When operating under your authority, you’re responsible for your trucks’ insurance, cargo, and trailers. So, what’s the right commercial truck insurance for you? It depends on your specific needs. However, you’ll need commercial auto liability coverage at the bare minimum.
Physical damage coverage, such as collision insurance, will usually be required if you are financing or leasing your truck.
Are There Any Age Restrictions on Passenger Accident Coverage?
There is no minimum age requirement, but some insurance carriers impose their own requirements. Also, state authorities have regulations about transporting minors.
Passenger accident coverage is not the same as commercial auto liability coverage. Commercial auto liability coverage pays for injuries and property damage caused to others (outside the vehicle) in a car accident. Passenger accident insurance policies supplement standard liability insurance.
Do Commercial Truckers Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
No, it is not required. Commercial truck companies have minimum liability coverage requirements, but are not required to purchase matching uninsured motorist coverage.
Uninsured motorist coverage is a type of insurance that pays for medical expenses if you or your passengers are injured by a hit-and-run driver or a driver who has no liability insurance.
Does Personal Auto Insurance Cover A Commercial Truck?
Most personal car insurance policies don’t cover incidents related to the commercial use of a vehicle. If a vehicle is used for commercial purposes, it needs a commercial auto policy.
A related question that comes up in discussions on commercial truck insurance questions is what to do if you drive a commercial vehicle for personal use. If you intend to do so regularly, get some personal auto coverage.
Do Insurance Companies Require CDL Experience for Commercial Insurance?
Yes, they usually do. Many insurers require truck drivers to have their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) for at least two years before they offer coverage.
Your level of age and number of years driving commercially may affect how much you’ll pay. What you haul, how far you drive, and how much your truck is worth are additional factors determining rates.
Is My Truck Insured on the Same Policy if I Buy It in the Middle of My Policy Term?
Fortunately, yes. Mid-term truck purchases are added to the existing policy. You will not need to get a new policy. You will make a down payment for the coverage, with the balance added to your existing monthly premiums. Any increases in coverage increase premium amounts and typically require a down payment.
Does Commercial Truck Insurance Coverage Apply Across State Lines?
It can if you have interstate coverage for transporting goods across state lines. Interstate coverage typically has higher minimum limits for liability insurance. Different states have their own commercial vehicle insurance regulations.
Intrastate coverage, on the other hand, is for transportation within a single state. Either way, long-distance hauling leads to fatigue and raises the potential for accidents. Familiarize yourself with the causes of driver fatigue and trucking regulations designed to prevent it.
Can I Get Coverage for the Items Inside My Truck?
This is another of the most commonly heard commercial truck insurance questions. Yes, you can get coverage for the items inside your truck. It’s called motor truck cargo insurance. However, cargo coverage and premiums may be influenced by the type of cargo you’re transporting, especially if across state lines.
Conclusion
The commercial vehicle insurance industry may seem daunting at first, but with the right information, you’ll make the right choices. It’s the same with commercial vehicle financing. You need expert guidance. That’s what you’ll get at Mission Financial Services.
Our long history in the auto finance industry means we can offer the best financing options and loans for commercial vehicles and trucks. We can help you get the financing you need, even if you have bad credit. Contact us today.
