Ohio 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.
Ohio is arguably the freight capital of the Midwest. Columbus sits at the crossing of I-70 and I-71 and anchors one of the biggest distribution markets in the country, I-75 runs north to south through Dayton and Cincinnati, I-80 and the Ohio Turnpike carry freight across the north through Cleveland and Toledo, and I-77 connects Cleveland to the south. Manufacturing, auto plants and parts suppliers, and food distribution keep Ohio trucks loaded in every direction, and nearly every major carrier has a terminal somewhere in the state.
Coverage built for Ohio truckers
- Primary liability. The FMCSA requires at least $750,000 for general freight, and most Ohio shippers and brokers will not load you without $1,000,000. We write the limit your contracts demand, not just the legal floor.
- Cargo. Automotive parts, manufactured goods, and food products move in huge volume here, and just-in-time parts hauling leaves no room for a cargo claim to go sideways. We match cargo limits to what your customers require, usually $100,000, and higher for auto freight.
- Physical damage. Lake effect snow in the north, ice across the whole state, and crowded metro corridors are hard on equipment. 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 drop-and-hook work out of the Columbus distribution centers, this covers physical damage to the trailer while it is in your care.
- Workers comp / occupational accident. Ohio workers compensation is handled through the state fund, and employers with employees must carry it. 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 an auto plant.
New authority in Ohio
- 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. Ohio 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 Ohio
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 Ohio-specific note: heavy metro running around Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, plus winter weather across the northern counties, tends to push liability and physical damage pricing toward the middle to upper end of the range, while clean long-haul records price well. The only way to know your number is a real quote, and ours are free.
Cities we serve across Ohio
- Columbus. One of the biggest distribution markets in the country, at the crossing of I-70 and I-71.
- Cleveland. Northern industrial and port city on Lake Erie, with I-80, I-90, and I-77 freight.
- Cincinnati. Southern hub on the Ohio River at the end of I-75, with manufacturing and distribution freight.
- Dayton. I-75 corridor manufacturing and logistics city between Cincinnati and the northern markets.
- Toledo. Northwest Ohio glass and auto parts hub on I-80 and I-75, near the Michigan line.
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 Ohio?
An experienced owner-operator with a clean record usually sees $12,000 to $18,000 a year for a full package. New authority starts around $18,000 to $30,000 or more in the first year. Your record, cargo type, and operating radius drive the final number.
What are the minimum truck insurance limits in Ohio?
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.
How does Ohio workers comp work for 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 haul auto parts. Does that change my insurance?
Often, yes. Auto plants and parts suppliers sometimes require higher cargo limits and strict on-time delivery terms, which raises your cargo exposure. We make sure your cargo limit and any special endorsements match what your customers require before you take the load.
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
