Best Trucking Insurance for New Authority (2026)

Great West Casualty has insured trucks exclusively for nearly 70 years, making them the most experienced trucking insurance specialist in the market. They offer structured new authority programs designed to bring new carriers into the industry safely, paired with award-winning claims service and extensive safety training resources. While premiums may run slightly higher than generalist insurers, Great West delivers unmatched industry expertise and loss prevention support that can save new carriers money over time. Their safety seminars, driver training materials, and loss control consultations are especially valuable for operators building their first safety programs.

Progressive Commercial is one of the most accessible options for new authority holders thanks to their online quoting system and willingness to write policies for carriers with zero operating history. As part of the Progressive Corporation with an A+ AM Best rating, they bring serious financial backing and a tech-forward experience. Their Smart Haul telematics program can help new carriers earn discounts of up to 10% by demonstrating safe driving habits from day one. Flexible monthly billing options also help new operators manage cash flow during the critical startup period.

Cover Whale is an insurtech company that uses artificial intelligence, dashcam footage, and ELD data to assess risk in real time. For new authority holders, this is a significant advantage: instead of being penalized solely for lack of operating history, your actual driving behavior influences your premium from the start. Safe drivers can earn discounts of up to 30% compared to their initial quote. The AI-powered approach means Cover Whale can identify low-risk new carriers that traditional insurers would charge blanket high rates. The trade-off is that their best rates require participation in their telematics program.

HDVI (High Definition Vehicle Insurance) stands out for new authority carriers because of their low experience threshold -- they accept CDL holders with as little as 6 months of experience. Their real-time telematics model reviews driving data monthly, so safe new carriers can see premium reductions within their first billing cycle rather than waiting a full year for renewal. The transparent, usage-based pricing model means your premium directly reflects how you drive, not just industry averages for new operators. HDVI integrates with most major ELD providers, making setup straightforward for carriers who already have electronic logging devices installed.

Nirvana Insurance takes an AI-first approach to commercial trucking coverage, using computer vision and advanced data analytics to assess risk more accurately than traditional underwriting models. Founded in 2021, Nirvana analyzes driving behavior, fleet operations data, and real-time risk factors to offer potentially lower rates for carriers who share operational data. Their quick digital quoting process can deliver bindable quotes in minutes, and their proactive safety insights help new carriers identify and correct risky patterns before they become costly claims. For tech-forward operators comfortable with data sharing, Nirvana represents a fundamentally different approach to insurance pricing.

Sentry Insurance combines over a century of insurance experience with more than 30 years of dedicated trucking division expertise. As a mutual company owned by policyholders rather than shareholders, Sentry is incentivized to deliver fair rates and strong claims service. They accept new authority carriers with at least one year of CDL experience and provide comprehensive risk management resources including safety training, DOT compliance guidance, and loss control consultations. In profitable years, Sentry can return money to policyholders through dividends, which can meaningfully reduce the effective cost of coverage over time.

Lancer Insurance has specialized in transportation insurance for nearly 40 years, building deep expertise in the owner-operator segment. With an AM Best A rating and a focus on fleets of 1 to 50 trucks, Lancer understands the specific risks and economics of small trucking operations. They accept CDL holders with as little as 6 months of experience -- the lowest threshold among traditional carriers -- making them particularly accessible for new authority holders. Their underwriting process is more selective than online-first carriers, but qualifying operators benefit from competitive pricing backed by genuine trucking industry knowledge.

OOIDA Insurance is the insurance arm of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, which has advocated for truckers since 1973. OOIDA membership ($45/year) is required to access their insurance programs, but members gain access to competitive rates backed by an organization that genuinely understands owner-operator economics. With an AM Best A rating and specialized occupational accident programs, OOIDA fills a unique niche for operators who want their insurer to also be their industry advocate. Their deep understanding of owner-operator needs translates into coverage options and claims handling that reflect how small trucking businesses actually operate.

Northland Insurance, operating as part of Travelers -- one of the largest property and casualty insurers in the United States -- offers some of the most competitive base rates in the market for standard trucking operations. While they require at least one year of CDL experience, their pricing for qualifying new authority holders can be meaningfully lower than trucking-specialist carriers. This makes Northland a strong budget option for new carriers hauling standard commodities on local or regional routes. The Travelers financial backing (A+ AM Best rated) ensures rock-solid claims payment, even if the trucking-specific expertise is less deep than dedicated specialists.