South Carolina’s port, manufacturing, and automotive freight have made it a growing trucking state. Transportation Risk Specialists works with South Carolina owner-operators and fleets from our Alabama office.
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Where South Carolina carriers run
- I-26 runs from the Port of Charleston through Columbia to Spartanburg.
- I-85 crosses the Upstate through Greenville and Spartanburg.
- I-95 runs through the eastern part of the state.
- I-20 and I-77 connect Columbia with Georgia and Charlotte.
- The Port of Charleston generates container and drayage freight moving inland.
Your lanes affect your insurance. Underwriters look at where your trucks are garaged, your radius, and the states you run, so tell us how you actually operate, not just where you’re based.
What South Carolina carriers haul
South Carolina freight includes container drayage out of Charleston, automotive and manufacturing freight in the Upstate, tires and industrial goods, and agricultural and timber products.
What you haul drives your cargo coverage. Some commodities are excluded or limited on many cargo policies, and refrigerated freight usually needs reefer breakdown coverage. We match the policy to your freight.
Coverage for South Carolina trucking operations
- Primary auto liability — Meets FMCSA requirements and your contract limits.
- Motor truck cargo — Written for the freight you haul and the limits your brokers require.
- Physical damage — For your tractors and trailers, with lender requirements met.
- Non-trucking liability and bobtail — For leased-on owner-operators.
- Also available: general liability, trailer interchange, occupational accident, workers’ compensation, and umbrella or excess.
We work with owner-operators, leased owner-operators, small fleets, long-haul carriers, and new authorities in South Carolina.
Federal and South Carolina requirements
Interstate carriers: For-hire interstate carriers hauling non-hazardous freight in vehicles of 10,001 pounds GVWR or more must carry at least $750,000 in liability, filed by the insurer with FMCSA. Carriers of certain hazardous materials need $1,000,000, and carriers of explosives, poison gas, or radioactive materials need $5,000,000. Many brokers and shippers require $1,000,000 regardless.
Intrastate carriers: If you run only within South Carolina, state rules decide whether you need a USDOT number and what insurance must be on file with the state. Tell us you’re intrastate-only and we’ll confirm the current South Carolina requirements before you bind.
South Carolina trucking insurance FAQ
Do you insure Charleston drayage carriers?
Yes. Port drayage is underwritten differently from long-haul, and trailer interchange coverage usually applies when you pull containers and chassis you don’t own. Tell us about your interchange agreements.
Can a South Carolina fleet get one policy for trucks in two states?
Usually, yes. Fleets commonly schedule all units on one commercial auto policy even when trucks are garaged in more than one state. We’ll structure it based on where your trucks are kept.
Are you licensed in South Carolina?
Yes. Old National Insurance Inc. is licensed in South Carolina, and we serve trucking operations across the Southeast. See all states we serve.
South Carolina carrier? Call 205-221-5466 or start your quote with your DOT number.
Also serving: Alabama · Georgia · Tennessee · Mississippi