Progressive Commercial truck insurance

Hotshot coverage for pickups and trailers from Progressive

In 2025, its truckers who haul for hire paid an average of $734 to $926 a month, depending on the kind of hauling they do. That range covers every for-hire truck Progressive insures, big rigs included, so a hotshot quote can land outside it. Agencies that write hotshots see $665 to $1,165 a month for an established rig with a clean record (Trucking Insurance Services) and $1,000 to $1,800 in the first two years of a new MC number (Trucker Path Insurance). Interstate trucks over 10,000 pounds must carry at least $750,000 in liability. Coverage isn't offered in every state or for every vehicle and coverage choice. Getting a quote online is quick, often as little as 7 minutes.

Most hotshot setups are Class 3, 4, or 5 trucks (think duallys or fifth-wheel pickups) pulling a trailer, with the whole rig rated below 26,001 pounds GVWR. GVWR means the maximum weight a loaded truck can safely handle, according to the manufacturer. Progressive builds hotshot policies around these trucks, with liability, cargo, physical damage, and more.

Which rules you follow depends on your weight and whether you haul across state lines. Stay in one state, and some states use the federal insurance rules while others write their own.

Liability limits from 49 CFR 387.9, the CDL rule from 49 CFR 383.91 and the ELD rule from 49 CFR 395.8.

An ELD is a device that logs your hours behind the wheel. Progressive's hotshot page notes that hotshot drivers typically don't need one, thanks to smaller rigs and shorter hauls. Some freight companies still ask for a CDL even when the law doesn't require one.

Coverages Progressive offers for trucks

Every commercial vehicle has to carry liability; it's the foundation of any policy. It's known as primary liability and must meet the federal minimum across state lines: $300,000 for a for-hire rig rated under 10,001 pounds, $750,000 from 10,001 pounds. Most brokers ask for $1,000,000. When you're at fault in a road accident, it covers injuries, property damage, and cleaning up spilled cargo.

Cargo insurance is often something clients demand in their contracts. You can layer on more coverage as your jobs call for it:

• Motor truck cargo: pays when freight is lost or damaged on the road, plus the customer's shipping costs when a load never shows up. Cargo Plus builds in automatic protection against rust, corrosion, and water damage.
• Physical damage: covers harm to your own vehicles, whether from striking an object, theft, or vandalism.
• Trailer interchange: protects non-owned trailers while they're with you, even if not hooked to your truck. A formal interchange agreement is required.
• Rental reimbursement with downtime: covers a rental truck, or replaces lost income, while yours is being repaired.
• Heavy truck roadside assistance: helps with towing, winching, jump-starts, fuel delivery, locksmith help, and flat tire replacement, for both the truck and an attached trailer.
• General liability: covers injuries or damage tied to business activity that isn't driving.
• Bobtail: protects the truck when it's driven for business with no trailer.

Progressive trucking insurance cost and savings

What shapes your price: the kind and size of truck, your cargo, how far you drive, and your record behind the wheel. Progressive skips outside premium financing, so monthly payments don't rack up interest.

You can get discounts for carrying multiple policies, paying the full amount up front, and covering your personal vehicles with Progressive too.

• Smart Haul: new customers who sign up save an average of $1,261 by running an ELD.
• Snapshot ProView: new customers who don't have an ELD save an average of 6%. If your business runs 3 or more vehicles, you get fleet management tools at no cost.

Not every state offers these programs, and savings aren't promised. When your policy renews, your driving data could push the premium up or down.

Filings after you buy

Once you apply for your operating authority, which is your federal permission to haul for hire, Progressive sends the required insurance paperwork to the government for you. Here are the forms you might hear about:

• BMC-91: shows the FMCSA, the federal agency that oversees trucking, that you carry the liability insurance interstate hauling needs.
• BMC-91X: the same proof of liability, on the form used when more than one company provides your insurance.
• MCS-90: an endorsement, or add-on to your liability policy, that guarantees the insurer pays for injuries or damage your business causes. It stays attached to your policy and isn't filed with the FMCSA.
• BOC-3: names your process agents for work across state lines; a process agent company files it for you, not Progressive.
• Form E: certifies that your liability coverage satisfies the financial responsibility rules of your state.

New authority checklist and fees

Common questions