Find Your Starting Point

Select your operation profile

Select one to highlight the providers most relevant to your situation. Click again to clear.

Recommended Starting Points


Quick Reference

If you are… start with…

A starting point, not a final answer. Always compare matched-limits quotes before deciding.

Your situation
Start with
Also consider
Brand new authority
Progressive, Cover Whale
OOIDA RRG if a member
One truck, own authority
Progressive, OOIDA RRG
Cover Whale
Small fleet, 2–10 trucks
Great West, Sentry
Reliance Partners
Reefer / temperature-controlled
Great West, Lancer
Sentry
High-value cargo
Lancer, Great West
Sentry
Hazmat / chemicals
Great West, Lancer
Sentry
Flatbed / heavy haul
Great West, Sentry
Progressive

Provider Comparison

Seven providers across six factors

Fit labels reflect general suitability. Your specific profile may differ. Verify all information directly with the provider.

Provider New Authority Owner-Operator Small Fleet High-Value Cargo A.M. Best Quote Access
Progressive Commercial Strong Fit Strong Fit Good Fit Possible Fit A+ Superior Direct online
Cover Whale Strong Fit Strong Fit Good Fit Limited Fit Not rated (MGA) Agent / broker
Great West Casualty Limited Fit Good Fit Strong Fit Strong Fit A Excellent Agent required
Sentry Insurance Limited Fit Good Fit Strong Fit Good Fit A+ Superior Agent required
OOIDA RRG Good Fit Strong Fit Possible Fit Limited Fit Not rated (RRG) OOIDA membership
Lancer Insurance Possible Fit Good Fit Good Fit Strong Fit A- Excellent Agent / broker
Reliance Partners Good Fit Good Fit Strong Fit Possible Fit Varies by carrier Broker / multi-carrier

Provider Profiles

What to know before contacting each provider

Select a provider to expand its profile. One expanded at a time.

About

One of the largest commercial truck insurers in the United States and one of the few that commonly works with new authorities and operators with less-than-perfect driving records.

New authority friendly Direct online quote A+ A.M. Best
What to watch

Will write new authorities and imperfect MVR records.

Direct online quote access.

Higher premiums for new authorities versus established operators.

Less suited for high-value or specialty cargo.

Visit Progressive Commercial →
About

Technology-driven MGA focused on commercial trucking for smaller operators and new authorities. It may use telematics data as a pricing factor.

Telematics pricing New authority specialist Agent / broker access
What to watch

Telematics may help safe operators.

Strong fit for owner-operator and new authority markets.

Confirm which carrier underwrites the actual policy.

Not suited for high-value or specialty cargo.

Visit Cover Whale →
About

Trucking-focused carrier with deep industry specialization and strong fit for established operators, small fleets, and more complex cargo profiles.

Trucking specialist A A.M. Best High-value cargo Agent required
What to watch

Deep trucking specialization.

Covers specialty and high-value cargo.

Generally not the easiest fit for new authorities.

Agent or broker required.

Visit Great West Casualty →
About

Mutual company with strong commercial trucking presence, especially for established operators and small fleets with cleaner records.

Mutual company A+ A.M. Best Established operators
What to watch

Strong financial rating.

Good fit for established fleets.

Limited availability for new authorities.

May be less competitive with recent claims history.

Visit Sentry Insurance →
About

OOIDA’s member-owned risk retention group focused on primary liability for owner-operators and small carriers.

Member-owned RRG Membership required Not A.M. Best rated
What to watch

Designed for owner-operators.

OOIDA membership provides additional resources.

Some shippers may require a rated carrier.

Limited fit for high-value or specialty cargo.

Visit OOIDA Insurance →
About

Specialty carrier with strength in high-value cargo and freight types that generalist carriers may decline or price differently.

Specialty carrier A- A.M. Best High-value cargo
What to watch

Covers specialty freight categories.

Transportation-focused underwriting.

May not be competitive for standard general freight.

Agent or broker required.

Visit Lancer Insurance →
About

Trucking-specialized brokerage with access to multiple carrier markets. They do not underwrite directly; they place coverage through carrier partners.

Trucking broker Multi-carrier access Carrier varies by policy
What to watch

Access to multiple carrier markets.

Trucking-specialized brokerage.

A.M. Best rating varies by carrier.

Ask which carrier backs the policy.

Visit Reliance Partners →

Before You Decide

Four factors that matter more than premium

Evaluate every quote against these before acting.

Factor 1

Coverage match — not just premium

Compare identical limits, deductibles, and endorsements. A lower premium with reduced limits is a different policy, not a cheaper one.

Factor 2

Carrier financial strength

Look up the underwriting carrier’s A.M. Best rating before accepting any quote. Minimum acceptable for many operations is A- or better.

Factor 3

Claims handling reputation

Ask directly how the carrier handles cargo claims, what the emergency process is, and how settlement typically works.

Factor 4

Stay is a valid outcome

If your current provider is competitive on coverage, price, claims, and service, staying is a complete outcome.

Provider Call Checklist

Questions to ask every insurance provider

Use these before you bind coverage. The answer matters as much as the premium.

01

Who is the underwriting carrier?

Confirm the actual carrier behind the policy, not just the broker, MGA, or brand presenting the quote.

02

What is excluded from cargo coverage?

Ask about reefer breakdown, unattended vehicle theft, high-value commodities, loading and unloading, and commodity-specific exclusions.

03

Are defense costs inside or outside the policy limit?

This affects how much protection remains after legal expenses in a serious claim.

04

How are claims handled after hours?

Truck claims do not wait for office hours. Confirm the claim process, emergency contact method, and expected response time.

05

What documents do you need before binding?

Ask for the exact list: loss runs, driver list, MVRs, equipment schedule, declarations page, certificates, contracts, and DOT/MC details.

06

How long is the quote valid?

Rates, underwriting appetite, and required documents can change. Confirm expiration before making a decision.

Need to revisit your recommendation?

Return to the Insurance Decision Center

If your operation profile, coverage gaps, or renewal situation changed, revisit the Decision Center before contacting providers.

Open Decision Center →
Insurance Department

Ray “Show Me the Contract” Kowalski

Insurance & Contracts — HaulSmarterHQ

RK

Ray Kowalski

Insurance & Contracts Desk

A cheaper quote is not automatically a better insurance decision. Before you compare providers, compare the policy structure: limits, exclusions, deductibles, endorsements, underwriting carrier, claims handling, and certificate speed.

If your current provider comes back competitive on the factors above, staying is a complete outcome.