Progressive Commercial wins our top commercial truck insurer spot for flatbed operators with competitive rates and a digital experience built for flatbed owner-operators. The Hartford follows with superior claims support for high-value cargo like steel coils and machinery. Nationwide, biBERK and GEICO round out the list depending on your hauling needs.
Best Flatbed Truck Insurance
Updated: September 8, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Best Flatbed Truck Insurance Companies
| Progressive Commercial | 4.59 | $523 | 4.27 | 4.88 |
| The Hartford | 4.56 | $565 | 4.6 | 5 |
| Nationwide | 4.43 | $575 | 4.47 | 4.7 |
| biBERK | 4.36 | $659 | 4.34 | 4.78 |
| GEICO | 4.2 | $586 | 4.13 | 4.4 |
MoneyGeek scored commercial flatbed truck insurance providers across three weighted factors: Affordability (40%), Customer Experience (30%) and Coverage & Terms (30%). We analyzed $1,000,000 CSL (Combined Single Limit) Liability quotes from five major insurers across all 50 states. Affordability scores compare each provider's rates against market averages. Customer experience reflects claims handling, agent support and policyholder satisfaction. Coverage scores evaluate policy terms, endorsement options and flexibility for flatbed operations.
Read more in our methodology.
Progressive
Cheapest Overall
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.7/5Affordability
4.3/5Customer Experience
4.9/5Coverage Points
Average Cost
$523/monthlyOur Survey: Claims Process
3.9/5Our Survey: Likely to Recommend
4.8/5
The Hartford
Best Value for Comprehensive Coverage
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.4/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
5/5Coverage Points
Average Cost
$565/monthly ($6,783 annually)Our Survey: Claims Process
4.5/5Our Survey: Likely to Recommend
4.5/5
About These Reviews
Our provider evaluations are based on rate analysis, customer surveys, coverage options and financial stability. Rates shown are national averages. Contact each insurer directly for personalized quotes.
Cheapest Flatbed Truck Insurance Companies
Progressive Commercial offers the cheapest commercial truck coverage in 30+ states for flatbeds, starting at $319/month in Maine. The Hartford leads 11 states, Nationwide is first in Midwestern markets and GEICO is first in Maryland and New Jersey. Check your state in the table:
Data filtered by:
Select
| Alabama | The Hartford | $407 |
| Alaska | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $478 |
| Arizona | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $504 |
| Arkansas | The Hartford | $432 |
| California | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $595 |
| Colorado | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $548 |
| Connecticut | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $569 |
| Delaware | The Hartford | $493 |
| Florida | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $670 |
| Georgia | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $451 |
| Hawaii | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $375 |
| Idaho | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $352 |
| Illinois | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $572 |
| Indiana | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $440 |
| Iowa | Nationwide | $379 |
| Kansas | Nationwide | $413 |
| Kentucky | The Hartford | $453 |
| Louisiana | The Hartford | $735 |
| Maine | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $319 |
| Maryland | GEICO | $576 |
| Massachusetts | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $584 |
| Michigan | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $618 |
| Minnesota | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $509 |
| Mississippi | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $448 |
| Missouri | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $554 |
| Montana | The Hartford | $406 |
| Nebraska | Nationwide | $393 |
| Nevada | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $512 |
| New Hampshire | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $337 |
| New Jersey | GEICO | $602 |
| New Mexico | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $459 |
| New York | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $782 |
| North Carolina | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $422 |
| North Dakota | The Hartford | $353 |
| Ohio | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $458 |
| Oklahoma | The Hartford | $426 |
| Oregon | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $487 |
| Pennsylvania | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $518 |
| Rhode Island | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $612 |
| South Carolina | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $474 |
| South Dakota | Nationwide | $540 |
| Tennessee | The Hartford | $494 |
| Texas | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $564 |
| Utah | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $398 |
| Vermont | Nationwide | $330 |
| Virginia | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $471 |
| Washington | NEXT Insurance (Progressive Commercial) | $561 |
| West Virginia | The Hartford | $465 |
| Wisconsin | Nationwide | $431 |
| Wyoming | The Hartford | $417 |
How Much Does Flatbed Truck Insurance Cost on Average?
Commercial truck insurance costs for flatbeds sit around $569/month ($6,828 annually) on average for $1,000,000 CSL coverage. Maine operators pay $370/month while New York businesses pay $907/month. Flatbeds cost more to insure than enclosed vehicles due to exposed cargo and load securement liability.
Average Monthly Premium | $569 |
Average Annual Premium | $6,828 |
Lowest State (Maine) | $370/month |
Highest State (New York) | $907/month |
Monthly Range | $370 - $907 |
Data Source
Rates for $1,000,000 CSL (Combined Single Limit) Liability coverage. Averages based on five major providers. MoneyGeek analysis, November 2025.
Factors That Affect Flatbed Truck Insurance Costs
Your flatbed premium depends on cargo type, vehicle configuration, driving history and operating territory. Knowing these factors helps you control costs.
Coverage LimitsIncreasing from $500,000 to $1,000,000 CSL adds 10-20% to your premium. Most brokers require $1,000,000 minimum because flatbed accidents involving steel or machinery cause severe damage.
DeductiblesRaising your deductible from $1,000 to $2,500 cuts premiums 10-15%. A $5,000 deductible saves 15-25%. Choose based on cash reserves since flatbed repairs average $15,000-$60,000.
Vehicle ConfigurationStandard flatbeds cost less than specialized trailers. Step-decks, stretch flatbeds and double-drop lowboys carry higher premiums due to cargo complexity. Conestogas may qualify for lower rates since retractable covers reduce weather claims.
Cargo TypeSteel coil haulers pay more than lumber transporters due to higher cargo values and securement complexity. Hazmat loads require $1,000,000-$5,000,000 limits. Clean freight like pipe and building materials costs less than manufacturing equipment.
Driving HistoryNew York operators pay $907/month while Maine pays $370/month for identical coverage. High-litigation states charge premium rates. Long-haul operations encounter different exposures than regional haulers.
Fleet SizeInsuring 2-5 trucks saves 5-10% per vehicle. Fleets of 10+ can negotiate 10-20% reductions. Single-truck operators pay the highest per-vehicle rates.
Driver ExperienceCDL holders with 5+ years get better rates than newer drivers. Claims-free operations qualify for 10-15% discounts. Adding inexperienced drivers increases rates 15-25%.
Load Securement HistoryInsurers review CSA scores for securement violations. Load shift incidents, improper tarping or tie-down failures increase premiums 15-30%. Load monitoring systems and training records can offset these increases.
Operating TerritoryNew York operators pay $907/month while Maine pays $370/month for identical coverage. High-litigation states charge premium rates. Long-haul operations encounter different exposures than regional haulers.
Flatbed Truck Insurance Requirements
FMCSA requires $750,000 CSL commercial auto minimum for interstate flatbed carriers. Most brokers require $1,000,000 regardless of federal minimums.
General Freight (lumber, steel, pipe) | $750,000 CSL | Class A |
Heavy Machinery/Equipment | $1,000,000 CSL | Class A |
Oversized Loads (permitted) | $1,000,000+ CSL | Class A |
Hazardous Materials | $1,000,000-$5,000,000 CSL | Class A + HazMat |
Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
Federal Filings | Interstate operators need MC number, USDOT number, BMC-91, MCS-90 and BOC-3. Your insurer files BMC-91 and MCS-90; file BOC-3 separately. |
State Requirements | California requires $750,000 for trucks over 10,000 lbs GVWR. Texas requires $500,000. Check your state DOT for exact minimums. |
Broker Standards | CH Robinson, Landstar and TQL require $1,000,000 auto liability and $100,000 cargo minimum. Steel mills often require $2,000,000+ limits. |
Cargo Insurance | Shippers typically require $100,000-$250,000 cargo coverage for steel, lumber and machinery loads. Verify requirements before each haul. |
How to Get the Best Cheap Flatbed Truck Insurance
Follow these five steps to find affordable flatbed coverage without sacrificing protection.
- 1Compare Quotes From Multiple Insurers
Request quotes from Progressive Commercial, The Hartford and at least one other provider. Provide identical coverage limits and deductibles to each insurer. Progressive Commercial delivers quotes in minutes; traditional carriers take 24-48 hours.
- 2Verify Coverage Meets Requirements
Confirm your policy satisfies broker contracts before accepting loads. Most require $1,000,000 liability and $100,000 cargo minimum. FMCSA mandates $750,000 for interstate carriers.
- 3Improve Your Risk Profile
Remove drivers with DUIs or poor CSA scores. Install dash cams, GPS and load monitoring systems. Maintain DOT inspections and securement training records.
- 4Stack Available Discounts
Combine paid-in-full (5% to 10%), multi-vehicle (5% to 15%), bundling (10% to 20%) and safety equipment (5% to 15%) discounts to save 15% to 30%.
- 5Review Coverage Annually
Request competing quotes 45 to 60 days before renewal. The cheapest insurer last year may not offer the best rate this year.
Commercial Flatbed Truck Insurance: Bottom Line
Progressive Commercial delivers the best value at $523 monthly with a 4.88 coverage score. The Hartford costs $42 more but provides superior support for complex claims involving load shifts or cargo damage. Maine operators pay less than half what New York businesses pay, so compare quotes from at least three providers to find your best rate.
Flatbed Truck Insurance: FAQ
We've answered the most common questions about affordable commercial flatbed truck insurance:
You need $1 million CSL liability minimum to satisfy most broker contracts. Add physical damage if you finance your flatbed. Cargo insurance protects loads during transit; steel haulers typically need $100,000 to $250,000 coverage.
Maintain clean driving records, raise your deductible to $2,500 to $5,000 and pay annually. Bundle with general liability and workers' comp for 10% to 20% savings. Dash cams and GPS qualify you for 5% to 15% safety discounts.
Cargo rides exposed to weather, theft and road hazards. Load securement creates unique risks since improperly secured steel or lumber can cause highway accidents. Oversized loads carry additional exposures.
Cargo insurance isn't federally required but most brokers mandate it contractually. Steel mills and lumber yards typically require $100,000 to $250,000 coverage before allowing flatbed subhaulers on loads.
Progressive Commercial and GEICO offer same-day coverage if you complete applications during business hours. The Hartford and Nationwide typically need 24 to 48 hours.
About Mark Flores
Mark Flores is a Business Insurance Content Writer at MoneyGeek, where he focuses on commercial auto, commercial property, cyber and specialty business insurance coverage. His work simplifies coverage terms, gives business owners a strong baseline for expected costs, and narrows down policies and providers tailored to your operation, regardless of complexity.
Before joining MoneyGeekâs business insurance team, Mark worked as a Senior Content Writer at Clutch.co, where he produced structured B2B reviews and provider analyses based on client interviews, company research and service evaluation. That experience shaped his approach to business insurance content, especially when comparing insurers, explaining coverage differences and translating complex policy features into practical guidance for small business owners.
Mark also spent nearly 4 years as a digital marketing specialist serving small-business clients across industries such as home services, manufacturing and education. That background gives him practical context for how businesses evaluate vendors, manage operational needs and make purchasing decisions.
At MoneyGeek, he applies this research and evaluation experience to build guides that help transportation sectors, those with complex property-related risks (such as hotels and retail stores), and those most at risk of a cyberattack get the coverage they need at a reasonable price.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-jason-flores-7844634a/
Contact Email: mark.flores@moneygeek.com