Commercial Trucking Insurance in Ohio & Pennsylvania
Coverage built for owner-operators, for-hire carriers, and fleets — local and long-haul.
Trucking is one of the most demanding businesses to insure — FMCSA filings, high liability limits, cargo exposure, and rates that swing dramatically between markets. We insure owner-operators, for-hire carriers, and small fleets across Ohio and Pennsylvania: semis, box trucks, hot shot rigs, dump trucks, and more. Because we're independent, we shop specialty trucking markets to find the right combination of coverage, filings, and price for your operation.
What Commercial Trucking Insurance Covers
Core coverage components we'll review and tailor on your quote.
Primary Auto Liability
Required for all for-hire trucking. FMCSA requires $750,000 minimum for general freight; most shippers and brokers demand $1,000,000. We handle your MCS-90 and state filings.
Motor Truck Cargo
Covers the freight you haul against theft, damage, and refrigeration breakdown. Typical limits run $100K–$250K depending on the commodities and shipper contracts.
Physical Damage
Comprehensive and collision for your tractor and trailer, based on agreed or stated value. Essential for financed equipment — and often required by your lender.
Non-Trucking Liability (Bobtail)
Covers you when driving the truck without a trailer or off dispatch — a must for leased-on owner-operators whose motor carrier only covers dispatched loads.
Trailer Interchange
Covers non-owned trailers in your possession under an interchange agreement — common for intermodal and drop-and-hook work.
General Liability
Protects against non-auto claims: loading-dock injuries, delivery mistakes, and premises exposure. Many brokers require $1M per occurrence.
Optional Add-Ons Worth Considering
- Occupational accident coverage for owner-operators
- Workers' compensation for drivers and dock staff
- Reefer breakdown coverage for refrigerated freight
- Rental reimbursement / downtime coverage
- Excess liability above $1M for larger shipper contracts
- New venture programs for first-year authorities
Common Exclusions (What's Usually NOT Covered)
Knowing what your policy doesn't cover is just as important.
- Hauling commodities not declared on your policy (always list what you actually haul)
- Unlisted drivers or drivers who fail carrier eligibility requirements
- Intentional overloading or operating outside your authority
- Wear and tear and mechanical breakdown of the truck itself
Who Really Needs This Coverage
- Owner-operators with their own authority (new ventures welcome)
- Leased-on owner-operators who need bobtail and physical damage
- For-hire carriers running local, regional, or long-haul freight in OH/PA
- Hot shot operators, box truck couriers, dump truck and aggregate haulers
What Drives Your Premium
Driving records & CDL experience
Two or more years of clean CDL experience per driver makes the biggest difference in premium.
Radius of operation
Local (0–100 mi) vs. regional vs. long-haul changes rates substantially — accurate radius classification saves money.
Commodities hauled
General freight vs. refrigerated vs. high-theft cargo (electronics, metal) drives cargo pricing.
Loss history & authority age
New authorities pay more for the first 1–2 years; clean loss runs earn meaningful credits at renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about commercial trucking insurance in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Related Insights from Our Blog
Plain-English guides relevant to commercial trucking insurance.
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