We went digging to figure out what state has the cheapest commercial truck insurance in 2023 and noticed a few things:
Each state sets its minimum commercial truck insurance law requirements based on different factors affecting the insurance rates offered per state.
Insurance providers use different criteria to determine their truck insurance premiums. But there are a few steps you can take to find an insurance provider with the cheapest commercial truck insurance rates.
Read on for our findings on the state with the most affordable truck insurance. We’ll also share how to find cheap truck insurance to help you save money.
What State Has The Cheapest Commercial Truck Insurance
From our findings, the state with the cheapest commercial truck insurance is Mississippi.
In Mississippi, commercial truck insurance costs about $3,552 per year for local commercial truck drivers or owner-operators. If you operate across states, Mississippi’s average insurance cost increases to nearly $4,664 per year.
Still, it’s cheaper than in other states. Local trucking entrepreneurs in California pay around $11,834 per year, while interstate owner-operators pay approximately $14,041.
Meaning local and interstate owner-operators in Mississippi save about $8282 and $9377 in premium costs per year, respectively, compared to their counterparts in California.
This shows you can save tens of thousands of dollars in insurance premium costs by operating from states with affordable insurance costs.
Here is a summary of the top 5 states with the cheapest commercial truck insurance rates and the most expensive states for you to see the cost difference.
Top 5 States With The Cheapest Commercial Truck Insurance Costs
1. Mississippi
Average local truck insurance rates: $3, 552
Average national truck insurance rates: $4,664
2. Wyoming
Average local truck insurance rates: $4.927
Average national truck insurance rates: $7,149
3. Massachusetts
Average local truck insurance: $5,447
Average national truck insurance rates: $17,017
4. Iowa
Average local truck insurance: $5,615
Average national truck insurance rates: $8,866
5. Arizona
Average local truck insurance: $6,102
Average national truck insurance rates: $11,797
Top 5 States with the Most Expensive Commercial Truck Insurance Costs
1. New Jersey
Average local truck insurance rates: $20,763
Average national truck insurance rates: $20,255
2. Louisiana
Average local truck insurance rates: $19,736
Average national truck insurance rates: $23,453
3. Delaware
Average local truck insurance rates: $17,351
Average national truck insurance rates: $19,670
4. New York
Average local truck insurance rates: $16,949
Average national truck insurance rates: $17,585
5. Connecticut
Average local truck insurance rates: $16,946
Average national truck insurance rates: $17,004
From these comparisons, you can quickly tell the states to avoid, especially if you’re a new commercial truck driver looking to start your trucking business. Remember that these are the average insurance costs.
In Mississippi, the top state with the lowest insurance rates, the amount you’ll pay depends on two major factors:
- State minimum requirements
- How much coverage you get
What are the State Requirements of Commercial Truck Insurance in Mississippi?
Mississippi state law requires owner-operators to get minimum liability insurance premiums based on the type of freight they carry and where they carry it.
For example, owner-operators working within the state, that carry household goods must have a minimum of $300,000 commercial trucking insurance. While there is a $1,000,000 minimum for oil transport.
The requirements might be more extensive if you’re an owner-operator working interstate. You’ll have to meet the above and comply with other commercial auto insurance requirements by the federal government.
Check out the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)’s insurance policy requirements for commercial trucks to understand which commercial truck insurance applies to you.
Mississippi State Minimums Amounts Payable by Insurers
Mississippi state law sets the minimum amount insurance companies must pay as compensation when trucking accidents occur. All auto insurance policies in the state must have a 25/50/25 minimum liability coverage limit. This means paying a minimum of:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability for each person injured during trucking accidents involving your commercial trucks
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability per trucking accident, and
- $25,000 property damage liability
For adequate protection, it’s advisable to go for an insurance policy with higher coverage limits. Also, consider going for different types of truck insurance coverage suitable to your trucking business to cushion yourself from various costly claims.
What Insurance Coverage Options Does Mississippi Offer?
Primary Liability Insurance Coverage
Primary liability coverage is the most basic commercial trucking insurance required by all federal and state laws. It combines two different types of commercial trucking insurance into one – property damage liability and bodily injury liability.
Physical Damage Insurance
Physical damage insurance is comprehensive. It includes collision coverage, which pays for commercial truck repairs in case of collision damage, and coverage for damages from other incidents, such as vandalism. It’s essential liability insurance to have, although it’s not legally required, like primary liability coverage.
Non-trucking Liability Coverage
Non-trucking liability coverage protects your commercial truck if it causes injuries or damages property when out on personal or non-work-related errands. It’s different from personal auto insurance, which is insurance coverage for personal or non-commercial vehicles.
Cargo Insurance
Cargo insurance coverage compensates when the goods you haul get lost or damaged in transit. FMCSA does not require a motor carrier to have this type of semi-truck insurance. However, most for-hire interstate commercial trucking companies require autonomous truck drivers to purchase cargo insurance before hiring trucks.
Overall, each commercial trucking insurance option comes with its cost, and how much coverage you choose affects your total insurance cost. A trucker who gets a commercial truck insurance policy offering primary liability coverage will pay less than another who chooses more coverage options.
How To Find Cheap Truck Insurance
It’s unlikely that two trucking companies will pay the exact insurance costs even if they both operate in the same state and choose the same coverage options.
Different insurance companies consider various factors when setting their rates. A trucking business with high credit scores and experienced drivers with clean driving records will qualify for cheap trucking insurance from multiple insurance companies. In contrast, a similar trucking business with inexperienced truck drivers and low credit won’t.
To find cheap truck insurance, compare quotes from different insurance companies. Get help from a licensed insurance agent. Qualified insurance agents can help you identify the best insurance providers following your business needs and the type of contracts you plan to get.
Most licensed insurance agents are also aware of ongoing offers and discounts and can help you get the lowest insurance costs possible.
You can find the best commercial truck insurance agents close to you by doing a quick Google search and typing in your state and city. You’ll get a list of recommendations to start with. Ensure you read reviews of insurance agents that stand out to settle on the best one.
Conclusion
Commercial truck insurance takes different forms in different states, but if too costly it might affect your profit margins.
We’ve answered the question: What state has the cheapest commercial truck insurance? We’ve also shown you how to find the most affordable trucking insurance provider.
But remember, the cheapest state may not always be the best state for truckers. There’s a difference between the two. To learn more about this, head over to the Mission Financial Services blog.
