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June 7, 2026
A practical guide to the top trucking insurance companies for 2026 based on Dragon Insurance's quoting experience. Covers FMCSA minimum requirements, BMC-91 filings, cost by truck type, new authority vs. established fleet differences, 5 policy red flags, and carrier-by-carrier breakdown of biBerk, CNA, Attune, and Pathpoint.
Picking the wrong trucking insurance carrier is not just an expensive mistake; it is a compliance risk and a business survival risk. A carrier that sounds legitimate on the phone but lacks the authority to file your BMC-91 leaves your DOT number in violation the moment you leave the yard. A carrier with a weak commercial trucking underwriting team declines your claim for a cargo exclusion you did not know was in your policy. And a new owner-operator who buys the cheapest policy they can find often discovers at first renewal that the rate was a teaser that doubles once the carrier gets a look at their full loss run.
Dragon Insurance writes commercial trucking coverage through four specialist carriers: biBerk, CNA, Attune, and Pathpoint. These are not general business insurers with a trucking product line bolted on. They are carriers whose underwriting teams work commercial motor carriers and freight operations daily. We shop all four for every new trucking client across PA, TX, VA, MD, OH, TN, and KY. This guide explains what each carrier handles well, what the FMCSA minimum requirements actually are, and how to avoid the five red flags that signal a policy will fail you at claim time.
Key Takeaways
Quick Answer
What makes trucking insurance different from regular commercial auto?
Trucking insurance is a specialized commercial lines product built for motor carriers operating under DOT authority. Unlike standard commercial auto, trucking coverage includes primary liability (the FMCSA-mandated coverage filed via BMC-91), cargo insurance (covering the freight you haul), physical damage (collision and comprehensive for the truck), bobtail coverage (liability when the truck is being driven without a trailer), and non-trucking liability (when the truck is used for personal purposes off-dispatch). ELD compliance and driver qualification files are also factors in underwriting. A standard commercial auto policy does not satisfy FMCSA requirements for interstate carriers.
These are the four carriers Dragon writes for commercial trucking clients across our seven-state footprint. All four file BMC-91 forms, underwrite cargo coverage, and have dedicated commercial trucking underwriting teams. None of them wins for every operation type, which is why we quote all four before recommending one.
| Carrier | Specialization | Cost Range (monthly) | Best For | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| biBerk | Small fleets, owner-operators, non-hazmat general freight | $800 to $1,600 | New authorities, single-truck operators, box trucks | A++ Berkshire Hathaway backing, fast digital bind |
| CNA | Established fleets, specialty cargo, complex risks | $1,200 to $2,500+ | Multi-truck fleets, specialty freight, long-haul | Deep commercial appetite, specialty cargo underwriting |
| Attune | Small to mid-size fleets, tech-forward underwriting | $900 to $2,000 | Regional carriers, flatbed, refrigerated, mid-fleet | Data-driven underwriting, competitive for clean fleets |
| Pathpoint | Surplus lines, non-standard risks, harder-to-place fleets | $1,100 to $2,800+ | High-hazard cargo, prior losses, difficult placements | Access to E&S markets for risks standard carriers decline |
Monthly cost ranges reflect 2026 quoting experience from Dragon Insurance, Logrock, and FreightWaves market data. Actual premiums depend on truck type, cargo class, radius, driver MVR, years of authority, and prior loss runs. New DOT authorities typically pay at or above the top of these ranges.
biBerk
biBerk's Berkshire Hathaway backing (A++ AM Best) and fast digital bind process make it an accessible starting point for new owner-operators and small fleets hauling general freight. For a single-truck operation hauling non-hazmat dry van freight on regional routes, biBerk often provides the fastest path to coverage with a clean BMC-91 filing. Where biBerk has limits: high-hazard cargo classes (chemicals, liquid tankers, hazmat), drivers with recent violations, and large multi-truck fleets where CNA or Attune have more flexible fleet rating.
CNA
CNA has one of the deepest commercial trucking underwriting appetites of any carrier in Dragon's panel. For established fleets with two or more trucks, specialty cargo types (refrigerated, flatbed, oversize/overweight loads), or operations with prior loss activity, CNA's underwriting teams have the technical expertise to structure coverage that biBerk's automated platform cannot. CNA also has strong specialty cargo underwriting for higher-value freight, including electronics, pharmaceuticals, and food-grade products, where the cargo policy limits and exclusion language matter enormously.
Attune
Attune uses a data-driven underwriting platform that can produce competitive quotes for regional carriers and mid-size fleets that have clean loss histories and well-maintained driver qualification files. For flatbed operators, refrigerated carriers, and regional dry van fleets with three to fifteen trucks and a documented safety program, Attune frequently comes in below CNA on price with comparable coverage breadth. Attune is a technology-forward carrier that rewards operators who can demonstrate safe operations with ELD data and clean MVRs.
Pathpoint
Pathpoint provides access to surplus lines markets for trucking risks that standard admitted carriers decline or surcharge to the point of being unviable. High-hazard cargo, operations with recent at-fault claims, new authorities with limited track records, and specialty equipment (oversized, flatbed with heavy haul, automotive haulers) often land in Pathpoint's E&S market access. Pathpoint is not the cheapest option for clean standard risks, but it is often the only viable option for non-standard placements.
Trucking insurance is not a single policy; it is a stack of coverage components. Some are required by the FMCSA or your operating authority; others are strongly recommended. Below is the standard coverage stack for a commercial motor carrier.
| Coverage | Required? | Recommended? | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary liability (BMC-91) | Yes (FMCSA) | Yes | Covers bodily injury and property damage to third parties. $750K minimum for general freight; $5M for hazmat. |
| Cargo insurance | Broker-required (typically) | Yes | Covers freight you are hauling if lost, damaged, or stolen. Most brokers require $100K minimum. |
| Physical damage | Lender-required (if financed) | Yes | Collision and comprehensive coverage for your truck and trailer. Without it, a total loss comes out of your pocket. |
| Bobtail (non-trucking liability) | No | Yes (for owner-operators) | Covers liability when you are driving the truck without a trailer (after delivery, before pickup). Often excluded from primary trucking policies. |
| Trailer interchange | Contractual (if required by shipper) | Situational | Physical damage coverage for non-owned trailers in your care, custody, or control under a trailer interchange agreement. |
| Occupational accident | No (for owner-operators) | Yes (owner-operators) | Workers comp substitute for independent owner-operators who are not eligible for employer WC. Pays medical and disability benefits after on-the-job injury. |
Truck type, cargo class, and operation radius are the three biggest premium drivers in commercial trucking underwriting. The table below shows typical monthly insurance cost ranges for common commercial truck categories in Dragon's service states.
| Truck Type | Monthly Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Box truck (under 26,000 GVWR) | $800 to $1,400/mo | Local delivery, moving, courier. Lower hazard, lower radius typically. |
| Semi / 18-wheeler (dry van) | $1,000 to $2,000/mo | General freight, OTR or regional. Range widens significantly for new authority vs. 3+ years. |
| Flatbed | $1,100 to $2,200/mo | Construction materials, steel, machinery. Higher cargo risk than dry van. |
| Refrigerated (reefer) | $1,200 to $2,400/mo | Temperature-sensitive cargo (food, pharma) carries higher cargo liability if load is rejected. |
| Dump truck | $900 to $2,000/mo | Local or regional typically. Construction site exposure adds complexity. |
Ranges reflect 2026 quoting experience from Dragon Insurance, FreightWaves rate surveys, and Logrock market data. New DOT authorities (less than 24 months of operating history) typically pay at or near the top of each range. Premiums for hazmat, oversized loads, and high-value cargo will exceed these ranges.
The insurance market treats new motor carrier authorities very differently from established fleets, and the price difference is significant. A carrier with three or more years of operating history, a clean loss run, and documented safety programs will pay meaningfully less per truck than a new authority with no track record, even with the same driver and the same truck.
For new authorities, the practical reality is: expect to pay at the top of the market for the first 12 to 24 months, shop aggressively at renewal as your loss run builds, and make sure every driver in your operation has a clean MVR and a completed driver qualification file before you quote. A single driver with a recent DUI or major violation can push an otherwise clean account into the surplus lines market, where Pathpoint is often the only path to coverage.
For established fleets with three or more years of authority and a documented safety program, both CNA and Attune have competitive fleet rating programs that reward clean operations. Dragon re-shops these accounts annually and moves them to the most favorable market as their loss run history develops.
Wrong carrier at the wrong price costs you more than you think
Get all 4 trucking carriers quoted in one call.
Tell us your DOT number, truck type, cargo, radius, and driver history once. We pull biBerk, CNA, Attune, and Pathpoint side by side with identical coverage so you see the real market.
Broad cargo exclusions
If your cargo policy excludes electronics, refrigerated goods, or high-value freight without you asking, that exclusion will deny a claim exactly when you need it most. Read the cargo exclusion list before you bind, not after.
Radius limits in the policy form
Some policies specify an operating radius (e.g., within 500 miles of your home terminal) and exclude claims that occur outside that radius. If you occasionally run OTR or cross your stated radius, a claim outside that boundary may be denied entirely.
Driver age and experience restrictions
Many trucking policies include underwriting conditions that void coverage for drivers under 25 or with less than two years of CDL experience. Adding a younger driver without notifying your carrier mid-term can invalidate your policy for any claim involving that driver.
Lapse provisions and cancellation speed
A missed payment on a trucking policy can trigger cancellation within 10 days in most states. A lapse in coverage also triggers the BMC-91 filing to go inactive with the FMCSA, which puts your operating authority in violation. Automatic payment is not optional in trucking.
BMC-91 filing gaps
If your carrier switches or if you change policies, there must be no gap between the old BMC-91 filing going inactive and the new one going active. Even a 24-hour filing gap creates a violation record on your DOT number that affects future underwriting. Dragon manages the transition.
Immigrant owner-operators: navigating new authority and FMCSA compliance
Many of our trucking clients in the Nepali and Bhutanese community are first-time owner-operators who have recently obtained their CDL and are starting their own trucking authority. The paperwork involved in starting a new trucking operation is substantial: DOT registration, MC authority, BOC-3 filing, UCR registration, and the BMC-91 insurance filing are all required before you can legally dispatch a single load. Missing any one of them creates a violation that can shut down your authority.
Dragon works with new owner-operators through the compliance checklist, makes sure the BMC-91 is filed correctly and on time, and helps you understand the ongoing requirements so you are not caught off guard at renewal. For a full overview of commercial trucking insurance in Pennsylvania, see our commercial trucking insurance Pennsylvania guide.
हामी नेपाली बोल्छौं. We speak Nepali.
What is the best trucking insurance for owner-operators?
For new owner-operators with a single truck and limited operating history, biBerk is often the fastest and most accessible starting point. For owner-operators with two or more years of authority and a clean loss run, Attune frequently produces competitive rates. For owner-operators hauling specialty cargo or with prior loss activity, CNA's broader underwriting appetite or Pathpoint's E&S market access may be necessary. The right carrier depends on your specific operation, cargo, and history.
How much does trucking insurance cost per month?
Commercial trucking insurance typically costs $800 to $2,500 or more per month, depending on truck type, cargo class, operation radius, driver history, and years of operating authority. New DOT authorities pay at or near the top of this range. Established fleets with clean loss histories and documented safety programs pay meaningfully less. Box trucks for local delivery operations may fall below $1,000 per month; long-haul OTR operations with large trucks and specialty cargo often exceed $2,500 per month per truck.
What insurance do I need for a commercial truck?
At minimum, an interstate commercial motor carrier needs: primary liability coverage filed via BMC-91 (at least $750,000 for general freight), cargo insurance (typically $100,000 minimum required by freight brokers), and physical damage coverage if the truck is financed. Owner-operators leased to a motor carrier need bobtail and non-trucking liability coverage when operating off-dispatch. Occupational accident coverage is strongly recommended for owner-operators who are not covered by an employer's workers comp policy.
Is biBerk good for trucking insurance?
biBerk is a solid option for single-truck owner-operators and small fleets hauling non-hazmat general freight on regional routes. Its Berkshire Hathaway backing means financial strength is not a concern (A++ AM Best). Its digital platform provides fast quoting and BMC-91 filing. It is not the best fit for large multi-truck fleets, hazmat operations, specialty cargo, or operations with prior significant loss activity. For those, CNA, Attune, or Pathpoint typically provide better coverage and more flexible underwriting.
What is non-trucking liability (bobtail) insurance?
Non-trucking liability (NTL), often called bobtail insurance, provides liability coverage when a commercial truck is being operated for non-business purposes, meaning when it is not under dispatch and not hauling a load. Your primary trucking policy covers you while on dispatch with a load. Bobtail covers the gap when you are driving the truck without a trailer (after delivery, heading home, or between jobs). It is typically required when an owner-operator is leased to a motor carrier whose primary policy does not cover the truck off-dispatch.
What does cargo insurance cover for truckers?
Cargo insurance covers physical loss or damage to the freight you are hauling while it is in your care, custody, and control. It typically covers theft, collision damage, fire, and overturning. It does not cover cargo damage from improper loading by the shipper, temperature-sensitive cargo unless you have a reefer breakdown endorsement, or cargo excluded by name in the policy (often electronics, jewelry, pharmaceuticals, or alcohol without specific endorsements). Always read the cargo exclusion list before you bind.
How do I get trucking insurance for a new DOT authority?
New DOT authorities need primary liability coverage filed via BMC-91 before the FMCSA will activate the operating authority. The process with Dragon: provide your MC number, DOT number, truck details (year, make, model, VIN), driver information (CDL, MVR, experience), cargo description, and operating radius. We quote biBerk, CNA, Attune, and Pathpoint and file the BMC-91 for the carrier you select. The filing typically takes 24 to 48 hours to appear in the FMCSA system. Do not dispatch before confirming the filing is active.
What is the FMCSA minimum liability for trucking?
The FMCSA currently requires a minimum of $750,000 in primary liability for interstate commercial vehicles over 10,001 lbs hauling general freight. Hazardous materials shipments require $5,000,000. Non-hazardous cargo in smaller vehicles may qualify for a $300,000 minimum. Most freight brokers and shippers require $1,000,000 regardless of the federal minimum, which is effectively the market standard. The FMCSA has proposed increasing the general freight minimum to $2 million or more; a final rule could take effect in 2026 or 2027, though the timeline is not yet confirmed.
Have your DOT number, MC number, truck details, driver MVRs, cargo description, and operating radius ready. We quote biBerk, CNA, Attune, and Pathpoint side by side, file your BMC-91, and make sure you are compliant before the first dispatch. Quotes for standard single-truck operations typically take one to two business days. Complex fleets and specialty cargo may take longer for full underwriting review.
Visit us: 1525 Cedar Cliff Dr STE 202, Camp Hill, PA 17011
Serving PA, TX, VA, MD, OH, TN, and KY. English, Nepali, and Hindi spoken.
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Dragon Insurance Services LLC is a licensed independent insurance agency. Cost figures in this article reflect 2026 third-party rate data and our agency's quoting experience across PA, TX, VA, MD, OH, TN, and KY; they are estimates, not guaranteed rates. FMCSA minimum liability requirements are subject to change pending proposed rulemaking. Actual premiums vary by carrier, truck type, cargo class, driver history, operating radius, and underwriting review. Contact us for a personalized quote.
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