National (Long-Haul Interstate) Premiums by State + DC
Below is the table of average annual national premiums for for‑hire interstate trucking hauling general freight across all 50 states based on the 2024 DAT and CoverWallet data:
| State | Avg. Annual National Premium | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $4,664 | 🏆 Lowest |
| Wyoming | $7,149 | |
| Nebraska | $8,664 | |
| Iowa | $8,866 | |
| Montana | $9,492 | |
| North Dakota | $9,206 | |
| Ohio | $9,933 | |
| Wisconsin | $9,231 | |
| Idaho | $9,008 | |
| Vermont | $9,643 | |
| New Mexico | $9,738 | |
| Kansas | $10,160 | |
| North Carolina | $10,630 | |
| Indiana | $11,141 | |
| Utah | $11,110 | |
| Colorado | $12,110 | |
| Minnesota | $12,820 | |
| Washington | $12,706 | |
| Oklahoma | $13,383 | |
| Pennsylvania | $12,470 | |
| South Carolina | $13,376 | |
| Massachusetts | $17,017 | |
| Maine | $13,763 | |
| Michigan | $13,793 | |
| Virginia | $13,119 | |
| Maryland | $16,056 | |
| Rhode Island | $17,220 | |
| Connecticut | $17,004 | |
| California | $14,041 | |
| Nevada | $16,912 | |
| Georgia | $20,641 | |
| Florida | $19,480 | |
| Louisiana | $20,255 | |
| New Jersey | $20,255 | 🏛 Highest |
| New York | $17,585 | |
| DC | (Estimate similar to Maryland) |
Understanding Premium Pricing for Interstate Truckers
Interstate truckers generally pay $ 1 million Combined Single Limit (CSL) liability at minimum (due to freight broker requirements). Your premiums reflect risk exposure, cargo, geography, and regulatory environments.
Key Rating Factors
- Liability Limits & Legal Requirements
- Federal minimum is $750K, but most brokers and shippers demand $1M CSL.
- New Jersey mandates $1.5M for any truck entering or operating in the state, effectively doubling insurer exposure and raising premiums significantly.
- Crash Statistics & Loss Frequency
- States with higher truck-involved crash rates and more fatality-prone highways (e.g., Florida, Georgia, Louisiana) drive up loss costs and push premiums higher.
- Congestion & Traffic Conditions
- Dense interstate corridors like I‑95 (NJ, NY, MD, CT), I‑35 (TX, GA), and I‑10 (FL, LA) have elevated accident frequency—boosting insurer loss projections and rates.
- State Regulation & Litigious Environments
- States with high jury verdicts or mandates for higher coverage (e.g. NJ’s $1.5M) generate elevated premiums. States like New York and California also trend higher due to litigation environments and severity of claims.
- Fleet Structure & Authority Type
- Owner-operators under their own authority generally pay more than contracted or leased operators.
- Cargo Type & Haul Distance
- Interstate freight is riskier than local trips because of more miles driven, unfamiliar routes, and cross-state exposure to multiple insurance jurisdictions.
- Safety Controls & CSA Scores
- Telematics programs, clean CSA history, safety training, and loss prevention measures can reduce premiums by 10–20% in many cases.
Why Certain States Are More Expensive
- New Jersey: mandates $1.5M liability, significantly above federal or broker norms, raising premiums across national operations.
- Florida, Georgia, Louisiana: high traffic volumes, frequent severe crashes, aggressive nuclear verdicts, and weather risks (hurricanes, flooding) boost loss costs and rates.
- California, Connecticut, New York: urban density, high cost of claims, and regulatory burdens keep premiums elevated.
- Mississippi, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota: low traffic, few urban hotspots, strong driver safety records, lower claim frequency = much lower premiums.
Final Analysis
Top-tier (most expensive) states for national long-haul trucking insurance:
- New Jersey, Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, New York, Connecticut (~$17K–$21K/year).
Mid-tier states:
- California, Massachusetts, Nevada, Maryland ($14K–$17K).
Lower-cost states:
- Mississippi (<$5K), plus Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho—ranging ~$9K–$10K/year.
National average:
- Roughly $15K–20K/year depending on cargo type, authority structure, and states of operation .
Practical Advice for Carrier Operators
- Understand state-specific liability limits: New Jersey’s $1.5M mandate requires either high primary limits or umbrella policies to ensure coverage compliance.
- Improve driver safety and CSA performance: reduce claims frequency.
- Use telematics and safety programs: often yield measurable premium discounts.
- Structure your authority wisely: carriers working under dispatch or lease programs may access lower rates.
- Plan routes strategically: avoid lanes through NJ or high-accident highways if possible—or account for rate increases.
Bottom Line
For national interstate, long-haul for-hire trucking, expect annual auto-liability premiums ranging from about $9K in low-risk states (e.g. Mississippi, Nebraska) to $20K+ in high-cost states like New Jersey, Georgia, and Louisiana. Key drivers of cost include state liability mandates, accident frequency, congestion, litigation climate, and safety controls. Contact Cogo Insurance to get you the best quote for your trucking operations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General Insurance Questions
What is commercial truck insurance and why is it required?
Commercial truck insurance is specialized coverage for vehicles used in business operations to transport goods for hire. It’s required by federal law (FMCSA regulations) for interstate operations and by most states for intrastate trucking. The coverage protects against liability for injuries and property damage, covers cargo loss, and provides physical damage protection for your truck.
What’s the difference between local and national trucking insurance rates?
Local trucking insurance rates apply to operations within a single state or limited regional radius (typically under 200 miles). National or interstate rates apply to long-haul operations crossing multiple states. National rates are typically 30-50% higher because of increased mileage, unfamiliar routes, exposure to multiple legal jurisdictions, and higher risk factors.
How much does commercial truck insurance cost on average in 2025?
For national interstate operations with $1 million liability coverage, owner-operators typically pay between $11,000-$17,000 annually ($917-$1,417/month). Rates vary significantly based on state, driver record, authority age, cargo type, and safety profile. New authorities often pay 25-40% more than established operators.
Which state has the cheapest commercial truck insurance?
Mississippi has the lowest average national trucking insurance premiums at approximately $4,664 annually, followed by Wyoming ($7,149), Iowa and Nebraska (both $8,664). These states benefit from low traffic density, fewer urban areas, strong safety records, and lower claim frequencies.
Which state has the most expensive commercial truck insurance?
New Jersey and Georgia tie for the highest premiums at approximately $20,255-$20,641 annually. New Jersey requires $1.5 million liability coverage (versus the standard $1 million), while Georgia, Louisiana, and Florida face high premiums due to traffic congestion, nuclear verdicts, and severe weather risks.
Why is New Jersey truck insurance so expensive?
New Jersey mandates $1.5 million in liability coverage for any truck entering or operating in the state—50% higher than the standard $1 million required elsewhere. This state-specific mandate, combined with dense traffic, high litigation costs, and urban congestion along the I-95 corridor, makes NJ the most expensive state for trucking insurance.
Coverage & Requirements
What is the federal minimum insurance requirement for commercial trucks?
The FMCSA requires minimum liability coverage of $750,000 for trucks over 10,001 pounds transporting non-hazardous general freight interstate. However, most freight brokers and shippers require $1 million Combined Single Limit (CSL) as a practical minimum. HAZMAT cargo requires $5 million in coverage.
What does $1 million CSL liability coverage mean?
CSL stands for Combined Single Limit. A $1 million CSL policy provides up to $1 million total coverage per accident for all bodily injuries and property damage combined, rather than separate limits for each category. This is the most common liability structure for commercial trucking and meets most broker requirements.
What types of coverage do I need as an owner-operator?
Essential coverages for owner-operators include: (1) Auto liability ($1M minimum), (2) Motor truck cargo ($100K-$250K typical), (3) Physical damage (collision and comprehensive for your truck), (4) Non-trucking liability/bobtail (covers deadhead/personal use), and (5) Occupational accident coverage if you don’t have workers’ comp.
Does truck insurance cover cargo damage?
Not automatically. Auto liability insurance covers damage to others in accidents you cause. Motor Truck Cargo (MTC) insurance is a separate coverage that protects the freight you’re hauling against loss or damage. Most shippers require $100,000 minimum cargo coverage, though many owner-operators carry $250,000 or more.
What is non-trucking liability or bobtail insurance?
Non-trucking liability (NTL) or bobtail insurance covers your truck when you’re operating under your own authority but not under dispatch—for example, driving home after delivering a load, going to maintenance appointments, or personal use. It’s essential if you’re not always under a load or dispatch.
Rate Factors & Pricing
What factors most affect my truck insurance rate?
The biggest rate factors are: (1) State of operation and routes (40-60% variance), (2) Your driving record and experience (clean vs. accidents = 40-80% difference), (3) Type of cargo hauled (HAZMAT can double premiums), (4) Age of your authority (new vs. 3+ years = 25-40% difference), (5) CSA scores and DOT compliance, and (6) Safety technology usage (telematics can save 10-30%).
How much more expensive is insurance for new trucking authorities?
New authorities (0-2 years in business) typically pay 25-40% more than established operators with 3+ years of experience. A new authority might pay $12,000-$22,000 annually while an established operator with similar operations and clean record would pay $9,000-$15,000. This “new venture” premium decreases as you build a positive track record.
How do accidents affect my truck insurance rates?
Even one at-fault accident can increase your premiums by 20-40% at renewal. Multiple accidents or severe accidents can make you uninsurable in the standard market, forcing you to non-standard or surplus lines carriers that charge 50-100% more. Some insurers will cancel policies mid-term after serious accidents.
Does my credit score affect commercial truck insurance rates?
Yes, both business and personal credit scores significantly impact commercial truck insurance pricing. Insurers use credit as a predictor of risk and claims likelihood. Poor credit can increase premiums by 20-50% or make coverage harder to obtain. Some states restrict or prohibit credit-based insurance pricing.
How does cargo type affect insurance costs?
Different cargo types carry different risk levels and insurance costs:
- General dry freight: Baseline rates
- Refrigerated: +15-25% (equipment failure risk)
- Flatbed/oversized: +10-20% (securement and clearance risks)
- High-value goods (electronics, pharmaceuticals): +30-50%
- HAZMAT: +95-107% (requires $5 million liability vs. standard $1 million)
Discounts & Savings
What discounts are available for commercial truck insurance?
Common discounts include: (1) Safety technology (telematics/ELD/dash cams): 10-30%, (2) Clean driving record (3+ years claim-free): 20-40%, (3) Multiple trucks/policy bundling: 10-20%, (4) Annual payment vs. monthly: 5-10%, (5) Increased deductibles: 15-25% on physical damage and MTC.
How much can I save with telematics or ELD systems?
Telematics and Electronic Logging Device (ELD) programs can reduce premiums by 10-30% depending on the insurer and your safety performance. These systems monitor speed, harsh braking, idling, and hours of service compliance. Some insurers offer immediate discounts; others provide rebates based on demonstrated safe driving over time.
Should I increase my deductible to save money?
Increasing your physical damage deductible from $1,000 to $2,500 typically saves up to 15% on that portion of your premium, and going from $2,500 to $5,000 can save another 10-15%. However, ensure you have cash reserves to cover the higher deductible if a claim occurs. Liability insurance from most carriers doesn’t have deductibles.
Is it cheaper to pay truck insurance annually or monthly?
Paying annually upfront can save 5-10% compared to monthly installments. Many insurers charge financing fees or administrative costs for monthly payments. For a $12,000 annual premium, paying upfront could save $600-$1,200. However, this requires significant cash flow, which can be challenging for new authorities.
Get Personalized Quotes
The rates in this guide provide general market trends and state-by-state comparisons, but every trucking operation is unique. For the most accurate quote tailored to your specific circumstances, contact specialized commercial truck insurance brokers who can:
✓ Compare quotes from 20+ A-rated carriers
✓ Evaluate your specific risk profile and find optimal pricing
✓ Identify all available discounts (potentially saving 10-30%)
✓ Structure coverage to meet your operational needs
✓ Provide ongoing support for COIs, endorsements, and claims
Contact Cogo Insurance or other specialized truck insurance brokers to get competitive quotes for your specific trucking operations.