Primary Liability Insurance for Trucking
Running a trucking business comes with many risks, but the right protection can cover your company in case of accidents, bodily injury, and property damage. Primary liability insurance is a federal requirement for all commercial trucks operating on public roadways, with specific minimum coverages depending on your cargo and truck size.
As the #1 truck insurer in America,Δ Progressive Commercial gives you the flexible coverage options and expert support you need to protect your trucking business.
Primary liability insurance minimums
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates that most trucks have at least $750,000 in liability insurance, but hazardous materials and larger loads can require a minimum of $5 million in coverage. Some states and brokers may set higher minimums. See an in-depth explanation of the FMCSA requirements for more information.
What does primary liability insurance cover?
Whether your business has one truck or several, a primary liability insurance policy protects you if you're at fault for an accident that causes bodily injury or property damage to third parties.
Primary liability is a core coverage of commercial auto insurance, which can be customized with additional protections, including:
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
This coverage protects you and your passengers if an at-fault motorist doesn't have liability insurance. It also applies when the motorist's insurance isn't enough to cover the expenses resulting from injuries or damage to your truck.
Learn more about uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance.
Collision coverage
Collision insurance will help repair or replace your truck if you're in an accident with another vehicle or collide with a stationary object. Keep in mind that if you lease or finance your vehicle, many lenders require this coverage.
Comprehensive coverage
If your truck gets damaged by something other than a collision, comprehensive insurance can help. It includes protection for incidents like theft, vandalism, and fire.
Medical payments
MedPay insurance covers medical expenses for you and your passengers if you're injured in an accident, even if you're at fault. It helps pay for emergency services, hospital stays, rehabilitation therapy, and doctor visits.
Primary vs. general liability
Primary liability insurance often gets confused with general liability insurance, but they aren't the same. General liability covers your business operations off the road, while primary liability protects you on the road. Suppose somebody trips over a truck ramp or damages goods unloading at your business or a job site. Primary liability won't cover you, but a general liability policy may.
Additional truck insurance coverages
On average, truck drivers have a lower accident rate than passenger vehicle drivers. But because you're on the road more often than the average driver, you face more potential risks, making added protection worth considering. The following are common coverages:
Cargo insurance
Motor truck cargo insurance protects the goods you're transporting if they're lost or damaged due to covered events like theft, fire, or collision.
Non-trucking liability
If you or an employee uses your commercial truck for personal errands and gets in an accident, non-trucking liability insurance can protect you while you're off the clock.
Heavy truck roadside assistance
Roadside assistance for trucks provides emergency breakdown services such as towing, tire changes, and jump-starts.
Rental reimbursement with downtime
If you need a temporary replacement truck while yours is in the shop for repairs, rental reimbursement insurance can pay for your rental. And if you can't find a suitable substitute, the downtime coverage can pay a portion of your lost income while your truck is being fixed.
Trailer interchange
If you exchange or haul a trailer owned by a third party and it gets damaged, trailer interchange insurance can cover it.
How much does primary liability insurance cost?
The average monthly cost of truck insurance from Progressive Commercial ranges from $746 for specialty trucks to $954 for transport truckers.‡‡ Your exact rate will depend on numerous factors, including:
- Truck type
- Cargo
- Driving history
- Location
- Drivers
- Number of trucks
- Coverage limits
- Deductibles
Save with discounts on truck insurance
Progressive Commercial offers various commercial auto insurance discounts. If you have a clean driving record, add safety features to your vehicles, or pay your policy in full, you may qualify for savings.
New customers can save an average of $1,261** on their commercial truck premium when they elect to enroll in our Smart Haul® program, which uses your electronic logging device (ELD) data. You can also get instant savings of at least 5% with Snapshot ProView®,†† a tracking tool that records driving habits.
When you start a free quote with Progressive Commercial, we'll help you find the right coverage that works for your trucking business.
