Long-haul carriers need coverage that follows the truck across every state on the route: primary auto liability that meets FMCSA requirements, motor truck cargo that satisfies your brokers, and physical damage for the equipment you depend on. Transportation Risk Specialists places long-haul trucking insurance with A-rated carriers for owner-operators and fleets based in Alabama, the Southeast, and the other states where we’re licensed.

Who this page is for

Over-the-road carriers running regional, multi-state, or coast-to-coast lanes
Owner-operators with their own authority who run long distances
Small and mid-size fleets with drivers out for days or weeks at a time
Carriers moving from local or regional work into longer lanes

Coverage long-haul carriers typically carry

Primary auto liability

Covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to others while operating your trucks. For-hire interstate carriers of non-hazardous freight in vehicles of 10,001 pounds GVWR or more must carry at least $750,000, and many brokers and shippers require $1,000,000 by contract. More on primary auto liability.

Motor truck cargo

Covers the freight in your care while it’s on your truck. Federal rules don’t require cargo coverage for general freight, but almost every broker and shipper does. Limits, commodity restrictions, and exclusions matter a great deal on long runs. More on motor truck cargo.

Physical damage

Covers your own tractors and trailers for collision, fire, theft, and other damage. On long-haul routes, towing distances and downtime away from home are real costs, so we look at towing and related options with you. More on physical damage.

Other coverage to consider

Trailer interchange, if you pull trailers you don’t own under a written interchange agreement
General liability, for exposures off the road, and because some shippers ask for it
Occupational accident or workers’ compensation, depending on whether your drivers are employees or contractors and the state rules that apply
Umbrella or excess liability, when a contract requires limits above your primary policy
Reefer breakdown, on cargo policies for temperature-controlled freight

What underwriters look at for long-haul operations

Long-haul quotes depend on more than the number of trucks. Expect underwriters to look at:

Radius and states operated. Where your trucks actually run, not just where they’re garaged.
Commodities hauled. Some freight types are harder to place or need specific cargo endorsements.
Driver experience and records. CDL years, motor vehicle records, and the driver’s experience in the class of equipment.
Safety record. Your FMCSA inspection history, out-of-service rates, and any crashes on file.
Loss history. Usually three years of loss runs from your current and prior insurers.
Equipment. Year, make, value, and type of each power unit and trailer, and any safety technology you use.

The more complete your submission, the more markets will quote it and the faster you’ll have answers.

How TRS helps long-haul carriers

One submission, multiple markets. We shop your account with A-rated carriers that write long-haul trucking and present options side by side.
Filings and certificates. We coordinate your FMCSA filing with the insurance company and issue certificates to brokers and shippers, including additional insured and loss payee wording when a contract or lender requires it.
Changes on the road. Adding a truck, a trailer, or a driver shouldn’t wait until you’re back home. Call the office and we’ll process the change with the carrier.
Renewal reviews. We review your coverage ahead of renewal, so you have time to compare instead of scrambling.