High-risk truck insurance can be tricky to secure. Although getting a good insurance plan is essential for a truck driver, finding the right insurer can also be challenging if you don’t meet all the ideal conditions.

Not only this, but many insurance companies who do accept high-risk drivers will charge a lot extra. And expensive insurance premiums can make a serious dent in your trucking business’s finances.

So, how do you know which high-risk commercial truck insurance companies are best to use? In this guide, we’ll break down some of the best options for high-risk truck insurance.

High-Risk Truck Insurance, Explained

High-risk truck insurance applies when a driver or operation falls into a high-risk category based on underwriting standards. In plain terms, insurers see a higher chance of claims, losses, or compliance issues.

Common reasons a business is considered high risk include:

• New authority with limited operating history
• Prior accidents, bodily injury, or property damage claims
• Lapses in insurance coverage
• Inexperienced drivers or a poor driving record
• High-risk cargo, lanes, or transport types
• Prior cancellations or non-renewals

Once flagged with high-risk status, truck owners usually face higher premiums, tighter insurance requirements, and more documentation during the approval process.

Why High-Risk Truck Insurance Costs More

In 2026, many fleets are still seeing higher commercial truck insurance premiums, and underwriting is getting more selective, especially for high-risk truck insurance.

Here’s what’s pushing costs up for drivers and trucking companies in a high-risk category:

• Loss trends and claim severity: One bad accident can turn into major bodily injury payouts and long legal timelines.
• Repair and downtime costs: Commercial vehicles cost more to fix, and long shop delays increase total claim expense.
• Cargo exposure: Certain freight types, theft hotspots, and longer lanes create more risk for the insurer.
• Filing and compliance pressure: More attention on filings and insurance requirements means less tolerance for gaps or errors.
• Driver and authority scrutiny: New authority, inexperienced drivers, and weak safety records trigger tighter underwriting.

When your risk profile stacks up, insurers protect themselves with higher premiums, stricter terms, and tighter limits than you’d typically see in standard commercial auto insurance.

What You’ll Need To Get Approved For High Risk Truck Insurance

Most quote delays happen because underwriting can’t verify key details fast enough. If you want faster turnaround, hand the insurer what they need up front.

Bring the following to every quote request:

• Driver details: MVRs, driver list, hiring dates, and any safety course completion
• Loss history: Loss runs (if you’ve been insured before) and a quick summary of any claims
• Authority + filings: DOT/MC numbers, operating status, and required filings for your lanes/contracts
• Operation snapshot: Garaging location, radius, lanes, and how you run dispatch day to day
• Cargo and contracts: What you haul, typical load values, and any broker/shipper requirements
• Equipment details: VINs, value, trailers, and whether you need physical damage coverage for a financed truck

When you package these details cleanly, you cut down follow-ups, reduce errors, and keep your insurance coverage and commercial auto liability quote moving.

Top High-Risk Commercial Truck Insurance Companies

Having the right high-risk truck insurance is vital if you run a trucking company. Commercial trucking is a high-risk industry, so having a reliable commercial truck insurance provider on your side is essential.

While your specific trucking insurance policy depends on your situation, here are some of the best high-risk commercial truck insurance companies to consider.

Progressive Commercial

Progressive Commercial is a major insurance provider known for offering various commercial truck insurance options, including coverage for high-risk drivers and businesses.

The insurance company offers various coverage options for commercial truck drivers. Whether you’re looking to cover a fleet or are an independent owner-operator, Progressive offers commercial truck insurance premiums and plans that can cover your needs.

• Best for: Owner-operators and small fleets
• Why it’s on this list: One of the most accessible insurers for high-risk trucking companies
• Good fit if: You need fast access but can manage higher costs for certain profiles

The Hartford

The Hartford specializes in commercial insurance and has a strong reputation for providing coverage to high-risk businesses, including those in the trucking industry.

While there are many insurance companies, The Hartford stands out as one of the top options for commercial truck insurance. Their flexible policies can match the specific needs of any trucking business. Of course, their coverage for high-risk commercial truck insurance is solid.

• Best for: Established trucking companies with complex needs
• Why it’s on this list: Strong policy customization and commercial experience
• Good fit if: Your operation needs tailored insurance coverage

Evolution Insurance Brokers

Evolution Insurance Brokers provides commercial truck insurance solutions through brokered and specialty markets, making them a common option for higher-risk trucking operations. Their approach focuses on placing coverage for non-standard risk profiles rather than fitting trucking companies into rigid programs.

Evolution works with short-haul and long-haul trucking operations and can arrange auto liability, trailer interchange, and other trucking-specific coverages through multiple insurers, depending on the risk.

• Best for: High-risk or hard-to-place trucking businesses
• Why it’s on this list: Broker access to multiple insurers
• Good fit if: You need help navigating non-standard risk

Nationwide Insurance

Nationwide Insurance offers commercial truck insurance, including options for high-risk drivers and businesses, focusing on customizable coverage. Their insurance works for businesses of all sizes, with varying coverage and vehicle needs.

• Best for: Mid-sized fleets
• Why it’s on this list: Reputation and broad commercial reach
• Good fit if: You want a recognizable insurer with flexibility

GEICO Commercial

GEICO, a well-known insurance company, also offers commercial truck insurance solutions, including coverage for high-risk situations.

This is one of the more prominent insurance companies out there, so you can be sure they have coverage available to match your specific needs. Whether you’re an owner-operator or manage a large fleet, trucking companies can use GEICO Commercial for their insurance coverage.

• Best for: Owner-operators shopping quickly
• Why it’s on this list: Brand recognition and accessibility
• Good fit if: You need basic coverage fast

Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance

Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance provides commercial auto insurance and may consider high-risk applicants, particularly those with a history of accidents or violations. As one of the major insurance companies, they offer a wide range of coverage options for trucking businesses.

• Best for: Operators with prior claims history
• Why it’s on this list: Willingness to insure higher risk profiles
• Good fit if: Your claims history limits options elsewhere

Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual offers a variety of commercial insurance products, including coverage for high-risk commercial trucking operations.

This major insurance provider offers a wide range of insurance plans, including general liability insurance, bodily injury insurance, physical damage coverage, comprehensive coverage for trucks, and more.

• Best for: Larger operations with multiple exposures
• Why it’s on this list: Broad commercial auto insurance offerings
• Good fit if: You need layered protection

Zurich North America

Zurich is a global insurance provider that offers commercial truck insurance solutions for a range of businesses, including high-risk ones.

Their Motor Truck Cargo (MTC) program offers MTC coverage to “for hire” common and contract motor carriers. If you’re looking for a versatile and flexible truck insurance provider, then this may be a good option to consider.

• Best for: For-hire motor carriers
• Why it’s on this list: Strong cargo-focused programs
• Good fit if: You transport higher-value freight

AIG

AIG is another international insurer that provides commercial truck insurance coverage, and they may consider high-risk applicants.

If you operate commercial trucks, AIG should offer a good range of coverage solutions. The company offers flexible insurance coverage options to meet your specific business needs.

Their truck insurance is more suitable for experienced truck drivers and companies, although there are options for higher-risk cases.

• Best for: Experienced operators with complex risk
• Why it’s on this list: Global scale and flexible underwriting
• Good fit if: Your business has unique insurance needs

AmTrust Financial Services

AmTrust provides insurance solutions to small and mid-sized businesses, including high-risk commercial trucking operations. While most other insurance companies prefer to cover drivers with plenty of experience, AmTrust is available for trucking companies with varying levels of experience.

Their truck insurance is ideal for local areas or truckers who travel the entire country. They insure all fleet sizes and all types of trucking businesses – making AmTrust an ideal choice for those looking for high-risk commercial truck insurance.

• Best for: Newer or growing trucking businesses
• Why it’s on this list: Willingness to work with limited experience
• Good fit if: You’re early in your operation

Great American Insurance Group

Great American Insurance Group is a leading commercial truck insurance provider in the US. This company focuses on long-haul trucking and specializes in service to owner-operators.

Great American Insurance Group offers a range of insurance products, including commercial truck insurance, and may consider high-risk applicants.

Whether you’re looking to protect your truck against physical damage or looking for non-trucking liability, contingent liability, or more, this company has a wide range of commercial insurance solutions to match your needs.

• Best for: Long-haul owner-operators
• Why it’s on this list: Deep trucking industry specialization
• Good fit if: You run long routes with financed equipment

Great West Casualty Company

Great West Casualty Company is a truck-specialty insurer that focuses almost exclusively on the trucking industry. The company provides commercial truck insurance solutions designed around real-world trucking operations rather than general commercial auto models.

Great West offers coverage options including commercial auto liability, physical damage, and cargo insurance. While not a high-risk-only insurer, their trucking focus and underwriting experience often make them a viable option for carriers with higher-risk profiles.

• Best for: Specialized trucking operations and fleets
• Why it’s on this list: Trucking-only underwriting expertise
• Good fit if: You operate in higher-risk lanes or have a prior claims history

1st Guard

1st Guard provides commercial truck insurance solutions primarily for owner-operators and small fleets. The company works directly with truck owners and focuses exclusively on truck insurance products.

1st Guard offers coverage that includes liability insurance, physical damage, and non-trucking liability. Although not positioned as a high-risk insurer, their direct-to-trucker model and narrow industry focus can help owner-operators secure coverage when broader markets decline.

• Best for: Owner-operators and small fleets
• Why it’s on this list: Direct truck-focused insurance model
• Good fit if: You’re an owner-operator with limited insurance options

Sentry Insurance

Sentry Insurance offers tailored commercial truck insurance with a strong emphasis on trucking-specific operations. The company is known for providing customizable insurance coverage backed by deep experience in the transportation sector.

Sentry’s commercial truck insurance options include liability, cargo coverage, and physical damage. While not exclusively focused on high-risk applicants, their underwriting flexibility makes them a practical option for fleets with elevated risk profiles.

• Best for: Fleets requiring customized coverage
• Why it’s on this list: Flexible underwriting for complex operations
• Good fit if: Your fleet has specialized routes, cargo, or prior claims

Frequently Asked Questions

What Makes A Trucking Company High-Risk?

A trucking company is considered high risk when insurers see a greater likelihood of accidents, liability claims, or costly losses. Drivers with violations, inexperienced drivers, coverage lapses, certain cargo, and higher-risk lanes can all push your risk profile into a high-risk category.

Can I Get Truck Insurance With A New Authority?

Yes, you can get high-risk truck insurance with a new authority, but you should expect tighter underwriting and more documentation. New authorities often pay higher premiums until they build a clean history with consistent coverage and fewer claims.

What Coverage Do I Need If My Truck Is Financed?

Most lenders require physical damage coverage to protect the vehicle, plus commercial auto liability that meets insurance requirements in most states. You may also need cargo insurance or additional coverage if a broker, shipper, or contract requires it.

Can I Get High-Risk Insurance With Bad Credit?

Bad credit can raise your premium or limit payment options, but it usually isn’t the biggest underwriting factor for truck insurance. Many insurance companies focus more on your driving record, claims process history, safety protocols, and overall risk profile.

Conclusion

These are some of the best high-risk truck insurance companies out there. However, finding the right commercial truck insurance is subjective.

Policies and premiums can differ for each applicant, and so can the weight of risk that different insurance companies place on you.

The best option is to gather quotes from different commercial truck insurance providers and compare your options. This will help you find the most suitable insurance plan for your trucking business.

Other than insuring your vehicle, finding financing for your commercial truck can also be a tricky process.

We make it easy at Mission Financial Services, where we help all kinds of truck drivers with all levels of risk secure the funding they need to purchase a semi-truck.

Get in touch today to see how we can help you.