Commercial Auto Insurance

High Risk Carrier Insurance

As a Commercial Truck Insurance Provider, we can help any company involved in the transportation industry that is considered high risk. We have an insurance solution to assist you no matter what your risk level is.

REQUEST QUICK QUOTE

What is High Risk Carrier Insurance?

Trucking companies that have bad SAFER scores, high losses, accidents, driver issues, conditional ratings could be considered High Risk. High Risk means higher premiums and less flexibility in writing those policies. Culture is key to implement changes needed to pull yourself out of this category but that can take time to see the changes reflect in your SAFER scores and over the road performance. CNS Insurance has markets to shop the high-risk policy and a partner in CNS to assist with Risk mitigation.

Who needs it?

  • Long-Haul Carriers
  • Short-Haul Carriers
  • Construction and Excavators
  • Tow Truckers
  • Any high risk carrier
High Risk Carrier Insurance | Commercial Truck Insurance | CNS Insurance
Learn more about coverages

Why do you need High Risk Carrier Insurance?

Risk assessments can help point out where the issues may lie. Improving hiring standards for drivers through DQ File services as well as ongoing driver training. Implementing new systems and processes for vehicle maintenance to ensure vehicles do not get sited for foreseeable maintenance issues. Updated policies and procedures in an updated company handbook to hold drivers accountable for their roadside performance.

CNS Insurance and CNS together have many success stories from turning clients from High Risk Trucking Carriers into Profitable and sustainable trucking carriers that only attract the best drivers.

Learn more about coverages

High Risk Carrier Insurance Coverages

What Commercial Coverages do you need?

It is important to keep in mind legal requirements when obtaining trucking insurance. Commercial Truck Insurance is mandatory in all 50 states and failure to obtain coverage could cost you a lot of money in fines or even worse, your license. By law, you must have a minimum of 750,000 in auto liability and cargo coverage (coverage depends on what your trucks are hauling). 

Basic High-Risk Insurance Coverages:

There are many coverages and terms to consider when choosing insurance, especially if you are considered a High Risk Carrier.

It is best to fill out a quote and we can provide the best policy for you.

Some instances when companies may need different types of coverage include:

Bob Tail Insurance

If you are an independent owner-operator looking for coverage on your business travel without a trailer attached, this would be a good option to cover your potential risk between loads and terminals.

Non-Trucking Liability

These policies provide you coverage while you are taking care of personal business aside from your company business.

Insurance Trailer Interchange Insurance

These policies provide coverage for a trailer used by multiple drivers when transporting a load to a destination. The coverage is directly related to the time the trailer and load is in your driver’s possession. Trailer Interchange insurance covers only damages to the trailer and not the goods that are part of the load.

Physical Damage Insurance

This includes your collision and comprehensive coverages. Collision pays on damage caused by impact with your truck being driven. Comprehensive covers damages to your truck for instance theft, storms, fires, falling objects, and more depending on the policy.

REQUEST QUICK QUOTE

Recommended and Required Minimum Coverages

Below are some of the minimum coverage requirements and recommendations, however, we recommend talking to one of our Commercial Insurance Specialists to get specific recommendations on the coverage you need based on what you are hauling.

Liability Coverage
1 K

Auto Liability, also known as Bodily Injury Physical Damage (BIPD), is required by the FMCSA at a minimum coverage of $750,000 to obtain your MC authority.

1K-200K

Physical Damage Coverage

Physical Damage is not required for Commercial Truck Insurance, but we do recommend it. Coverage depends on what you are driving and can range from $1000 to $200K.

Truck Cargo Coverage
1 K

Truck Cargo Coverage is required by law, however the amount of coverage depends on what your trucks are hauling. Call one of our Trucking Insurance Specialists for a recommendation on minimum cargo coverage.

Specialty Commercial Auto Coverage

VIEW ALL SPECIALTY COMMERCIAL AUTO COVERAGES

Diminished Value Insurance Coverage

Diminished Value Coverage accounts for the actual or perceived loss in market value or resale value of a car that was in an accident.

Learn more

Truck Cargo

In many cases, the most valuable asset in your business is the cargo you haul. Truck Cargo coverage insures the contents of the trailer and much more so you are not liable for damages.

Learn more

On-Hook Towing Insurance Coverage

On-Hook Towing Insurance Coverage pays for damages to a vehicle, such as fire or collision, while the car is in tow.

Learn more

Garagekeepers Insurance Coverage

Garagekeeper coverage protects tow truck drivers against things like fire, theft, vandalism, or a collision with a vehicle they are towing.

Learn more

Customers Reviews

The guys over at CNS Insurance have the best prices compared to everyone else. Thank you guys.
Robert NievesOwner
Great insurance company! They are friendly and work with you in anyway and they get you on the road within hours.
Gustavo MendozaOwner
While shopping for insurance, Kiel was friendly & knowledgeable every step of the way in choosing a commercial insurance policy for my freight company. His communication was stellar and getting set up was easy as pie. Rates were awesome and competitive. Holly processes all of our COI requests and answers our questions in a very timely fashion. She is always helpful, prompt and attentive. We appreciate this in our industry more than words can describe because it’s so fast pace, having someone who can get you what you need expeditiously really matters. We are very pleased!
Marie AllenOwner
Miss Holly is an amazing account manager .. I just wanna say thank you for your help for the last 4yrs you guys been there for me .. I can name everybody from account to insurance and tax everyone they are very helpful team .. if you own a trucking company I will recommend CNS Insurance.
Truck AmarOwner
I was in a desperate time in my business and I really needed a breakthrough to continued to make money. Tony along with the team not only got me a great price to get my insurance they fought for me as if it was there own business. You do not find real people like that anymore and I will always remember the effort they put in to make sure I succeeded. If you want someone to get the job done these are the people you need guaranteed.
Kevin AntoineOwner
Excellent place, excellent staff, excellent communication, These guys help you out immediately when you call them. I work with Holly Turner númerouse of times and she”s been helpful and does everything immediately, I recommend CNS Insurance to anyone who needs help with insurance.
Myrian BedoyaOwner
Only started doing business with them six weeks ago but looking forward for us to have a great long term relationship. Thanks for all you do.
Miguel McKenzieOwner

Steps to get Commercial Truck Insurance

01

Request a quote

Before we can get you an estimate, we are going to need some information. Fill out a complete quote or quick quote to get started.

02

Get coverage

After we gather all of your information we will get back to you with a detailed breakdown of your coverage and how much it will cost.

03

Start saving

Our Commercial Truck Insurance specialists are constantly working to get you the best rates, whether you are a new or existing client.

Get Started

CASE STUDY

Company A, a 9-truck carrier, approached CNS due to a problem in their operations. Their surplus lines carrier who was charging $190,000 annually for 9 trucks was canceling their liability insurance. The trucking company called CNS to see what could be done.

CNS reviewed carrier’s roadside safety, performance, driver files, loss ratio history, systems, and process. CNS analyzed the company had no losses but high BASIC SMS scores. Upon further investigation there were only two drivers that had bad records.

CNS developed hiring and qualification standards and implemented these standards within the company. The company also engaged CNS to manage their divers through drivers qualifications, monitoring drivers and training drivers.

As shown in the graph, the clients safety scores improved year after year.

As a result of the improved safety scores CNS Insurance was able to secure insurance which saved the company $100,000.00 in annual premium. The client has been a loyal CNS and CNS Insurance customer for 6 years.

We Are Your Insurance Family

We are always a phone call away.

Our customer service is unmatched and we take pride in the fact that we build lasting relationships with everyone we talk to whether you are a client or not.

Contact Us

DOT Problems? We've got you covered

Risk assessment

Our DOT compliance partner, Compliance Navigation Specialist, are available with trucking compliance advice and DOT Compliance Programs that keep your company on the right track by keeping your risk low and even your insurance rates even lower.

Risk mitigating services:

Want more information?

Driver Training

Driver training and education is a very valuable resource to ensure a healthy fleet, and compliant safety practices. Our trainers can tailor our training to your specific operation.
Learn more >>>

DOT Mock Audits

The CNS Specialists assist with all types of audits, including performing a Mock DOT Audit which analyzes your company and ensures you are prepared for a real audit when it happens.
Learn more >>>

Driver File Management

Driver File Management is a service to manage your Driver Qualification Files (DQFs) and reduce your risk by establishing and keeping your driver files accurate, organized and diligent.
Learn more >>>

DOT Compliance Programs

Our programs promote proactive safety, which means regularly maintaining the safety and compliance of your company, keeping you ahead of the FMCSA.
Learn more >>>
REQUEST QUICK QUOTE

Quick Commercial High Risk Carrier Insurance Quote

Do you have an Insurance Submission Packet? (upload any relevant information about vehicles, drivers, etc.)

Other Industry Policies

Frequently Asked Questions

If your questions are not answered below, you can contact one of our Commercial Trucking Insurance Specialists and we are happy to help with anything you may need.

High-risk commercial truck insurance is specialized coverage designed for fleets and carriers with elevated risk factors such as poor SAFER scores, high CSA violations, frequent claims, accidents, driver turnover, or conditional safety ratings. These policies are structured to keep carriers legally operating while they work to reduce risk.

A fleet may be classified as high risk due to bad SAFER scores, multiple accidents, high claim frequency, driver qualification issues, conditional or unsatisfactory FMCSA ratings, poor maintenance records, or rapid growth without proper controls.

Premiums are higher because insurers view high-risk fleets as more likely to generate claims. Poor loss history, unsafe driving behavior, regulatory violations, and weak safety management all increase underwriting risk and limit carrier options.

Yes. New ventures often lack operating history, which insurers treat as higher risk. New DOT numbers, inexperienced drivers, limited safety programs, or rapid fleet expansion can all place a new carrier into a high-risk category.

Yes. While options may be limited, specialized insurance markets exist for high-risk carriers. Working with an insurance provider experienced in transportation risk is critical to accessing these programs.

Yes. Improved hiring standards, driver training programs, preventative maintenance systems, and updated safety policies can gradually improve loss history and SAFER scores, leading to better insurance options over time.

Yes. High-risk fleets should review coverage multiple times per year, especially after accidents, fleet changes, cargo changes, or regulatory events, to avoid gaps or denied claims.

Common mistakes include underinsuring cargo, ignoring trailer interchange needs, failing to update policies after operational changes, poor driver classification, and skipping annual insurance and safety reviews.

The most effective strategy combines risk mitigation and insurance strategy—improving safety culture, compliance, driver accountability, and maintenance practices while working with an insurance partner who understands high-risk transportation markets.