New Jersey truck insurance from people who only insure trucks
State & Co Insurance LLC is a family-owned independent agency, and trucking insurance is all we do. Since 2010 we have helped owner-operators and small fleets get the right coverage at a fair price, with access to 15+ A-rated carriers and licenses in 34 states. When you call, you talk to someone who knows the difference between a BMC-91 and a UCR filing.
New Jersey is one of the densest freight markets in the country. The Port of New York and New Jersey in Newark and Elizabeth is one of the busiest container ports on the East Coast, feeding warehouses and distribution centers across the whole state. The New Jersey Turnpike and I-95 carry freight up and down the Northeast corridor, I-78 runs west to Pennsylvania, and I-80 and I-287 complete the web. Nearly every mile here is congested, high value freight, and that combination shapes both the work and the insurance.
Coverage built for New Jersey truckers
- Primary liability. The FMCSA requires at least $750,000 for general freight, and most New Jersey shippers and brokers will not load you without $1,000,000. We write the limit your contracts demand, not just the legal floor.
- Cargo. Container freight, retail goods, and food products move in huge volume here, and cargo theft and claims are a real exposure in the metro corridor. We match cargo limits to what your customers require, usually $100,000, and higher for high value loads.
- Physical damage. Tight docks, crowded terminals, and stop and go Turnpike traffic mean fender benders and worse are common. We write stated value or actual cash value coverage with deductibles you can live with.
- Non-trucking liability (bobtail). For leased-on drivers running personal miles between loads, this covers you when you are not under dispatch.
- Trailer interchange. If you pull someone else’s trailer, including port drayage and chassis work around Newark and Elizabeth, this covers physical damage to the trailer while it is in your care.
- Workers comp / occupational accident. New Jersey requires workers compensation insurance for employers with employees. Solo owner-operators with no employees can carry occupational accident instead, which most contracts accept.
- General liability. Covers what happens off the truck, like a slip at a shipper’s dock or an incident at a port terminal.
New authority in New Jersey
- BMC-91 filing. We handle your FMCSA liability insurance filing, which is required before your new MC number can go active. We submit it directly so there is no delay on your end.
- UCR registration. New Jersey participates in the Unified Carrier Registration program, so interstate carriers pay their annual UCR fee based on fleet size. We remind new carriers about it because missing it leads to roadside fines.
- Minimum limits warning. The federal minimum is $750,000 liability for general freight and $300,000 for household goods movers, but almost no broker or shipper will accept those minimums. Expect to carry $1,000,000 liability and $100,000 cargo to get loaded, and price your first year accordingly.
What truck insurance costs in New Jersey
A typical experienced owner-operator running general freight pays roughly $12,000 to $18,000 per year for a full package of liability, cargo, and physical damage. New authority usually runs $18,000 to $30,000 or more in the first year because carriers price new ventures higher. One New Jersey-specific note: this is one of the most expensive states in the country to insure a truck in, because dense congestion, high traffic accident frequency, and cargo theft exposure all push liability and cargo pricing up. Port drayage and metro-heavy routes price at the top of the range. The only way to know your number is a real quote, and ours are free.
Cities we serve across New Jersey
- Newark. Home to the container port terminals and Newark Liberty airport freight, the densest truck market in the state.
- Elizabeth. Port-adjacent city with terminals, warehouses, and heavy drayage traffic on the Turnpike.
- Edison. Central New Jersey distribution hub where the Turnpike, I-287, and Route 1 meet.
- Camden. Southern New Jersey port and industrial city on the Delaware River, with freight flowing to Philadelphia.
- Jersey City. Hudson River waterfront with intermodal and warehouse freight tied to the port complex.
Why truckers use an independent agent
We are independent, which means we shop your policy across 15+ A-rated carriers instead of selling you the one company we work for. At renewal, we re-shop it again, so your price stays honest year after year. One phone call handles additions, deletions, filings, and certificates. And when there is a claim, you call us, not a 1-800 number that puts you on hold.
Frequently asked questions
How much does truck insurance cost in New Jersey?
An experienced owner-operator with a clean record usually sees $12,000 to $18,000 a year for a full package, though metro-heavy and port routes often run higher. New authority starts around $18,000 to $30,000 or more in the first year. Congestion and theft exposure make New Jersey one of the pricier states to insure in.
What are the minimum truck insurance limits in New Jersey?
Federal minimums are $750,000 in liability for general freight and $300,000 for household goods movers. In practice, shippers and brokers almost always require $1,000,000 in liability and $100,000 in cargo before they will load you.
Can I get insurance with a brand new MC number?
Yes. We insure new authorities every week, file your BMC-91 with the FMCSA, and help you meet shipper requirements from day one. Expect first-year rates to be higher while you build a track record.
Do I need workers comp in New Jersey as a one-truck owner-operator?
Workers comp requirements depend on your situation. Solo owner-operators with no employees typically carry occupational accident coverage instead. Contact us at (980) 475-8075 and we will tell you exactly what your operation needs.
I do port drayage at the Port of New York and New Jersey. What coverage do I need?
Trailer interchange coverage is essential because you are pulling equipment you do not own, and many terminals and steamship lines require it at specific limits. You will also need a TWIC card for port access, and your cargo limits should reflect the value of containerized freight. We write drayage policies regularly.
How fast can I get covered and rolling?
For a straightforward owner-operator policy we can usually quote the same day and bind coverage within 24 to 48 hours once we have your driver information, truck details, and MC authority status. New authority filings take longer because the FMCSA has its own timeline.
State & Co Insurance LLC
11220 Elm Lane Suite 202, Charlotte, NC 28277
(980) 475-8075 | kevin@statecoinsurance.com
