Commercial Trucking Insurance — Florida
Long Haul Trucking Insurance
OTR & Interstate Coverage
Over-the-road (OTR) and long-haul trucking operations face the most complex insurance requirements in the commercial transportation industry. Operating across multiple states means compliance with FMCSA federal regulations, state-specific requirements, and cargo liability that follows the load across thousands of miles. Bright Coast Insurance works with Florida-based long-haul carriers to build comprehensive coverage programs that meet federal requirements and protect against the unique risks of interstate freight.
Estimated Annual Cost
$14,000 – $28,000
per year, per truck
Long-haul OTR insurance in Florida averages $14,000–$28,000/year depending on commodity, radius, and authority age. Hazardous materials and refrigerated cargo cost more. Experienced OTR operators with 5+ years and clean records can find competitive rates around $12,000–$16,000/year.
FMCSA Minimum Liability
$750,000
combined single limit (CSL)
FMCSA minimum is $750,000 for non-hazardous dry freight, $1,000,000 for oil/hazmat, and $5,000,000 for certain hazardous materials. Cargo insurance minimums vary by commodity and shipper requirements — most shippers require $100,000 cargo coverage minimum.
Coverage
What Does Your Policy Cover?
Every policy is tailored to your truck type, operating radius, and cargo requirements.
Florida Market
Florida-based long-haul carriers primarily run the I-95 corridor (Miami to Jacksonville to the Northeast), the I-75 corridor (Miami to Atlanta), and the I-10 corridor (Jacksonville to the Gulf Coast). These are among the highest-freight-volume interstate corridors in the eastern US.
Workers' Comp for Your Drivers
NCCI Class Code 7229
Long-distance hauling employees fall under NCCI Class Code 7229 in Florida. This code covers all employees and drivers engaged in long-distance trucking operations, with a Florida rate of approximately $7.18 per $100 of payroll.
View Class Code 7229 — Florida RatesFAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between long haul and local trucking insurance?
Long-haul trucking insurance covers operations where drivers regularly travel more than 150–200 miles from their home terminal, often crossing state lines. Local trucking insurance covers operations within a defined radius (typically under 100 miles). Long-haul policies are generally more expensive because the exposure is greater — more miles, more states, more time away from home terminal, and higher fatigue-related accident risk. FMCSA Hours of Service rules apply to long-haul operations and are a major underwriting factor.
Do I need separate insurance for each state I operate in?
No. A single interstate motor carrier policy with the proper FMCSA filings covers you in all 48 contiguous states and Canada. The MCS-90 endorsement on your primary liability policy satisfies federal requirements in every state. You do not need separate state-by-state policies. However, some states have specific filing requirements (like California's MCP-65 filing) that your broker should handle as part of your policy setup.
What cargo insurance do I need for long-haul trucking?
Motor truck cargo insurance covers the freight you're hauling against loss or damage. Coverage limits should match the highest-value load you carry — most shippers require $100,000 minimum, and high-value freight (electronics, pharmaceuticals, auto parts) often requires $250,000 or more. Cargo policies can be written on a per-load basis or as an annual policy with a per-load sublimit. Bright Coast Insurance can structure cargo coverage to match your actual freight types and shipper requirements.
Ready to Get a Quote?
Speak with a Florida trucking insurance specialist today. We cover all commercial truck types throughout Florida.