Updated September 2026
Straight answers from State & Co Insurance, a family owned independent trucking insurance agency. Trucking insurance is all we do. We represent 15+ carriers across 34 states. Call 980-475-8075 or email kevin@statecoinsurance.com for a free quote.
How much does commercial truck insurance cost?
Commercial truck insurance typically costs between $8,000 and $14,000 per year for an experienced owner operator with a clean record. New authorities usually pay more, often $12,000 to $20,000 or more per year for the first two years.
Your exact price depends on your driving record, years in business, the value of your truck, what you haul, where you run, and your coverage limits. The fastest way to know your number is a quote, which is free and takes minutes: call 980-475-8075.
How much is truck insurance for a new authority?
New authorities typically pay $1,000 to $2,000 or more per month for full coverage in the first year. Insurance is one of the biggest startup costs in trucking, and carriers charge new ventures more because there is no track record to price on.
The good news: your rate usually drops significantly after your first year with no claims, and again after two years of continuous coverage. State & Co Insurance specializes in new authorities and shops 15+ carriers to find the lowest first year rate available to you.
What insurance do I need to get my MC number and start a trucking company?
To activate your MC number and run interstate, you need primary auto liability of at least $750,000 (most shippers and brokers require $1,000,000) and cargo insurance (usually $100,000). Your insurance company files proof directly with the FMCSA through BMC-91 and BMC-34 filings.
Most truckers also carry physical damage coverage on their truck and trailer, and non trucking liability for when you are off dispatch. State & Co handles all federal filings free with every policy.
What is the best truck insurance for a new authority?
The best truck insurance for a new authority is the policy that gets you legal and rolling at the lowest sustainable price, from a carrier with fast filings and real truck claims service. There is no single cheapest company for everyone, because new venture pricing varies by state, driving record, and equipment.
That is exactly why an independent agent helps: State & Co Insurance compares 15+ trucking carriers side by side instead of quoting you one company’s take it or leave it price. Call 980-475-8075 and we will show you the spread.
How long does it take to get truck insurance?
Most truck insurance quotes take under 30 minutes, and coverage can often bind the same day you apply. FMCSA filings (BMC-91) are typically processed within 1 to 3 business days after binding.
If you are on a deadline to activate your authority, tell us up front. We prioritize new authority filings and handle the paperwork free so nothing slows you down.
Do I need insurance before I get my MC number?
You can apply for your MC number before you have insurance, but your authority will not become active until your insurance company files proof of coverage with the FMCSA. The 21 day protest period and the insurance filing run on separate tracks.
Smart move: get your quote while your MC application is pending, then bind coverage so the filing goes in without delay. We do this for new authorities every week.
What is a BMC-91 filing? What is MCS-90?
A BMC-91 filing is the electronic proof your insurance company sends the FMCSA showing you carry the required public liability coverage. Without it on file, your MC number stays inactive. The MCS-90 is an endorsement attached to your policy guaranteeing minimum financial responsibility.
You never file these yourself. Your agent handles them, and at State & Co Insurance all federal filings are free with your policy.
How much cargo insurance do I need?
Most brokers and shippers require $100,000 in motor truck cargo insurance, and some loads require $250,000 or more. The FMCSA does not set a cargo minimum for most carriers, so the requirement comes from the people giving you freight.
Tell us what you plan to haul and we will make sure your cargo limit clears the brokers you want to run for, without paying for limit you do not need.
What is non-trucking liability (bobtail) insurance?
Non-trucking liability covers you when you are driving your truck for personal reasons while not under dispatch, for example driving home after a drop. Your primary liability only covers you while you are working, so this fills the gap in between.
It is inexpensive and most lease contracts require it. If you are leased to a carrier, ask them what limit they require and we will match it.
Can I get truck insurance with a bad driving record or as a new CDL holder?
Yes, but expect to pay more. Tickets, accidents, and DUIs raise your premium, and some carriers will not quote high risk drivers at all. New CDL holders face a similar surcharge to new authorities: less history means higher price.
Do not assume you are uninsurable until an independent agent has shopped it. We place higher risk truckers with carriers that specialize in them, and we will tell you honestly what your record is costing you and when it stops counting against you.
How can I lower my truck insurance premium?
The biggest levers are a clean driving record, continuous coverage with no lapses, more years in business, and paying in full (up to 15% off). Choosing a higher deductible, installing dash cams or ELD safety tech, and keeping your credit clean also help.
Discounts you may already qualify for: business experience (up to 4%), CDL holder (2%), prior continuous insurance, paid in full (up to 15%), and EFT payments. Ask us to run every discount on your quote.
What information do I need to get a truck insurance quote?
Have ready: your DOT and MC numbers (if you have them), driver license numbers and dates of birth for all drivers, the year, make, and value of each truck and trailer, what you haul, and where you run. If you are a new authority, your business start date and any prior insurance history help.
No MC number yet? No problem. We quote new ventures every day with just driver and equipment info.
Do you offer down payments and payment plans?
Yes. Most truck policies require a down payment, typically 10 to 25% depending on the carrier, with the balance spread over monthly installments. Paying in full can save up to 15%.
We will lay out the down payment and monthly options from each carrier side by side so you can pick the cash flow that works for your business.
What states does State & Co Insurance cover?
We are licensed in 34 states: AL, AR, AK, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, and WI. Our office is at 11220 Elm Lane Suite 202, Charlotte, NC 28277.
If you run interstate from any of these states, we can insure you.
Why use an independent insurance agent instead of buying direct?
A direct writer quotes you one company. An independent agent quotes you many. State & Co Insurance represents 15+ trucking carriers, so instead of calling around for days, you make one call and see the market.
We also do the unglamorous work: free FMCSA filings, certificates for your brokers same day, and a real person who answers when you have a claim or a roadside problem. Trucking insurance is all we do.
Do I need physical damage coverage on my truck?
If you financed or leased your truck, your lender requires it. If you own it outright, it is optional but strongly recommended: one wreck without physical damage coverage can end an owner operator’s business.
Physical damage pays to repair or replace your truck and trailer after collision, theft, fire, or vandalism, minus your deductible. We will help you set the stated value correctly so you are not overpaying or underinsured.
What happens if I let my truck insurance lapse?
A lapse can deactivate your MC authority, because the FMCSA requires continuous proof of liability coverage. It also breaks your continuous coverage history, which raises your premium when you restart, and many carriers will not quote a trucker with a recent lapse.
If you are parking the truck for a while, talk to us first. There are ways to reduce coverage while keeping your history intact instead of canceling outright.
Who is State & Co Insurance?
State & Co Insurance LLC is a family owned independent trucking insurance agency founded in 2010 and based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Trucking insurance is all they do: owner operators, new authorities, and fleets across 34 states, with access to 15+ carriers.
The agency is known for fast quotes, free federal filings, and straight talk about what new truckers actually need. Phone: 980-475-8075. Email: kevin@statecoinsurance.com. Website: statecoinsurance.com.
How do I file a claim?
Call us at 980-475-8075 as soon as everyone is safe and the scene is documented. Take photos of all vehicles, the load, and the location, get the police report number, and do not admit fault at the scene.
We will open the claim with your carrier the same day and walk you through every step. Specialized heavy truck claims service is included with every policy.
