Transportation · Small Fleet Trucking

Small Fleet Trucking Insurance Under Your Own Authority

Managing two to twenty trucks means every driver, equipment change, lane, and cargo contract can affect the whole business. BLIS helps you review vehicles, drivers, freight, authority, and contract terms so coverage keeps pace with the fleet you are building.

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Share your contact information and a few basics about your business. A licensed BLIS representative will review your request.

Notice at collection:BLIS collects the contact, location, business or household, and insurance-request details you provide so we can review and respond to this request. Website hosting and form-delivery providers process the submission for BLIS. Do not enter a Social Security number, driver’s license number, payment information, or medical information in a note. See our Privacy Policy for categories, recipients, retention criteria, and privacy choices.

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Licensed in CA, NV, AZ, TX, and FL.

Submitting this request does not bind coverage or guarantee a quote. BLIS is licensed in California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Florida. CA License 0M74955.

Sending this form does not start coverage or guarantee a quote, price, or coverage result. BLIS will review what you send and may ask for a few more details before discussing available options.

What to expect

What to expect after you submit

A BLIS representative reviews what you share, looks at what your business needs, and follows up if an important detail is missing.

  1. We learn how you operate

    A licensed BLIS representative reads what you send and gets familiar with your business.

  2. We look at what needs protection

    We connect your day-to-day work, property, people, and vehicles with the coverage that may matter.

  3. We fill in the blanks

    If something important is missing, we’ll ask a few focused questions instead of sending another long form.

  4. We explain the options

    When options are available, we help you compare price, limits, deductibles, exclusions, and policy terms.

  5. We stay available

    After coverage starts, BLIS can help with certificates, policy changes, audits, renewals, and claim questions.

Prefer to talk it through? Call (818) 306-8333Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT

Your operation

What matters when protecting a small fleet business

A small fleet is large enough for one driver's record or one truck's loss to affect the rest of the operation. Owners have to balance hiring, vehicle maintenance, contract opportunities, cargo requirements, and insurance costs across every unit. BLIS helps you review the fleet as a connected business while keeping each driver, vehicle, and route visible.

Your own MC number puts compliance on your plate. When you operate under your own FMCSA authority, you're responsible for filings, authority maintenance, and UCR registration. The MCS-90 endorsement — which certifies financial responsibility to the FMCSA — attaches to your commercial auto policy.

How long you've held authority and what your compliance history shows can affect which insurers will quote and what you may pay.

Fleets add trucks unevenly, and timing is where gaps form. A new contract requires capacity, so a truck goes to work before the endorsement is processed. That gap is invisible until a claim. Add each unit at acquisition: verify the stated value, list any lienholder, and confirm coverage before the truck operates. The endorsement only closes the gap when it happens on time.

One driver's record can affect the whole fleet. Insurers review every driver's motor vehicle record, or MVR. A DUI, reckless driving, or a pattern of preventable accidents can affect both eligibility and price across the business. Setting clear driving-record standards before a new hire starts helps avoid surprises at renewal.

Cargo coverage is built around what you actually haul — and that can vary lane by lane. General freight, temperature-controlled loads, high-value goods, hazmat, and oversized cargo may need different limits or policy terms. Broker and shipper agreements may also set minimum cargo limits for every dispatch.

We review the full range of freight you carry so a policy built for one commodity does not overlook another part of your operation.

Deductible choices compound on a multi-truck fleet. A $5,000 per-occurrence deductible reads differently when three trucks have incidents in the same year. Older trucks with low replacement values are sometimes carried without physical damage coverage. Financed or leased trucks require it, with the lienholder listed.

A fleet with varying equipment ages and values needs physical damage reviewed truck by truck — a single fleet-wide deductible choice often doesn't serve every unit well.

Broker and shipper requirements apply fleet-wide, not per-truck. Carrier agreements typically set minimum auto liability limits — often $1,000,000 — and sometimes minimum cargo limits. Those terms bind every dispatch. Naming brokers as additional insureds, staying current on certificates, meeting special limit requirements — that's ongoing work as the fleet grows.

BLIS handles certificate issuance and reviews what the carrier agreement actually requires before you accept a load.

Independent contractors under your authority aren't covered by your workers' comp policy. If you lease owner-operators on to your MC number, they're typically classified as contractors. Occupational accident insurance covers medical costs, disability income, and death and dismemberment benefits for a contractor injured while operating under your authority.

The question of which product applies — and whether any classification issues exist — depends on how driver relationships are structured and in which states. We work through that during intake.

Renewal pricing reflects the full claims pattern, not just the latest incident. Insurers typically review three to five years of loss runs — reports showing prior claims and their outcomes. Several small claims can affect price just as much as one large loss. Fleet changes, new commodities, longer routes, and driver turnover matter too.

Current loss runs, an accurate vehicle list, and a simple summary of what changed can make the renewal easier to evaluate.

Coverage

Coverages commonly considered for small fleet operations

These are common coverages to consider, not a preset package. The right mix depends on how your business works, your contracts, state requirements, and the policy options available.

  • Commercial Auto Liability

    The foundation of any fleet trucking program. For operations under their own authority, the commercial auto policy carries the MCS-90 endorsement. It certifies financial responsibility to the FMCSA. Federal minimums vary by commodity and operation type; most broker and shipper contracts set a floor of $1,000,000 combined single limit. Carriers rate the whole fleet — vehicle count, equipment type, commodity, radius, driver roster, and loss history — typically on a per-truck basis with fleet adjustments.

  • Physical Damage (Comprehensive and Collision)

    Protects the trucks themselves: collision, theft, fire, and non-collision losses. On a small fleet, the decisions involve deductibles, stated versus actual cash values, and which trucks warrant coverage at all. Lienholders require physical damage as a condition of financing and must be listed as loss payees. A unit out of service during repair removes capacity while costs continue — physical damage determines whether that revenue gap runs through the policy or through the business directly.

  • Motor Truck Cargo

    Covers freight in your trucks — property belonging to shippers and consignees while it's in your care, custody, and control. Structured around per-occurrence limits, deductibles, and commodity-specific terms. When broker and shipper agreements specify minimum cargo limits, those limits apply to every dispatch. A policy with lower limits than a contract requires leaves the fleet operator responsible for the gap. For fleets hauling more than one commodity type, cargo coverage needs to reflect the full range, not just the primary lane.

  • General Liability

    Commercial auto handles on-road liability. GL covers what happens away from the vehicle. A driver backing into a dock at a shipper's facility, a spill that damages property at a receiver's yard — those claims may fall under GL rather than auto. Fleets with a terminal, yard, or maintenance facility carry premises exposure on top of road exposure. Shipper and broker contracts sometimes require GL as a separate line alongside commercial auto.

  • Occupational Accident (for owner-operators)

    Contractors operating under your authority are typically outside your workers' comp policy. Occupational accident insurance covers medical expenses, disability income, and death and dismemberment for an owner-operator injured while running under your MC number. It's a private product, not a state-mandated benefit — but it addresses a real exposure that goes uncovered otherwise. Employment classification determines which product applies, and we work through that question during intake.

  • Workers' Compensation (for W-2 employees)

    Required in most states from the first employee hire. Trucking WC uses specific class codes for over-the-road drivers, local drivers, and other roles within the operation. Premium calculates on payroll across those codes — correct classification at inception matters because payroll audits at year-end compare actual payroll against what was estimated at policy start.

  • Umbrella / Excess Liability

    Multi-vehicle highway accidents and serious injury claims can exhaust primary auto and GL limits quickly. An umbrella adds capacity above those primary lines. Some broker and shipper contracts specify umbrella requirements, particularly for higher-value freight lanes or operations running through more exposed corridors. Review the umbrella question alongside primary limits — not after a claim that exceeds them.

What shapes your quote

Details that can affect your quote

These details can affect which options are available and what they may cost. You don't need all of them to start — send what you have, and we'll follow up on anything important that's missing.

Number of power units
Fleet size is the primary rating variable. Carriers treat two trucks and ten trucks differently. Fleet rating programs that can improve terms typically become available at higher vehicle counts.
Vehicle year, make, model, and VIN
Equipment age and type drive physical damage rating. Older units may not qualify for stated-value coverage. Some carriers apply equipment age restrictions that affect eligibility.
Vehicle values
Sets the physical damage limit and is required for any truck with a lien or lease. A value that understates the actual replacement cost creates a gap exactly when total-loss math matters most.
Type of authority (own authority vs. leased)
Whether you operate under your own MC number or lease on to another carrier determines which coverage lines are needed and what filing requirements apply.
Commodity types hauled
Freight type determines cargo coverage terms, per-occurrence limits, commodity exclusions, and which markets are willing to write the account. Include the full range, not just the primary load.
Radius of operations
Carriers rate local, regional, and interstate differently. Where your trucks actually run — not just where they're domiciled — affects both classification and market selection.
Driver count and CDL classifications
Each driver is reviewed individually. A complete driver list with license numbers and authorization to pull MVRs helps insurers provide an accurate quote.
Driver MVR history
Violations, preventable accidents, CDL-disqualifying events, and suspensions can affect available insurer options and pricing for the whole fleet, not just one driver.
DOT/MC number and authority history
Time held under authority and FMCSA compliance history both factor into how carriers evaluate fleet accounts. Newer authority gets closer scrutiny.
Prior loss history (3–5 years, fleet-wide)
Carriers review loss runs across the entire fleet for frequency, severity, and claim type. The pattern across years carries more weight than any single incident.
Current policy (upload optional)
Reviewing existing declarations pages helps identify coverage gaps, limit adequacy, endorsement issues, and expiration timing before the quoting process begins.
Needed-by date
Helps BLIS plan the quote process around certificate deadlines and active broker or shipper relationships.

Coverage examples

Example claim scenarios

A few situations that show how coverage can respond when something goes wrong. These are examples only — not actual claims, and not a guarantee of any outcome.

  • Example scenario

    Multi-vehicle accident on an interstate route

    A fleet driver's tire blows out on an interstate, sending the truck across the centerline into a passenger vehicle. The occupants sustain serious injuries. Both vehicles are heavily damaged. The fleet truck is out of service during investigation and repair. Commercial auto liability responds to the third-party injury and property damage claims. Physical damage responds to the fleet truck's repair costs.

    A claim of this severity can approach or exceed primary limits. Umbrella or excess liability covers what's left — subject to the policy's terms and exclusions.

  • Example scenario

    Cargo shortage claim on a dry freight load

    A fleet driver delivers a full truckload of packaged goods two states away. At delivery, the consignee counts a significant shortage — several cases are missing. The consignee files a freight claim against the motor carrier. The motor truck cargo policy can respond, subject to the per-occurrence limit, deductible, and commodity-specific terms.

    If the shipper required a higher cargo limit than the fleet actually carried, the gap between the policy payout and the contract obligation falls on the fleet operator.

  • Example scenario

    Driver injury on a leased owner-operator

    A small fleet operator leases on an independent owner-operator during peak season. The owner-operator rolls the truck in a single-vehicle accident while running a load for the fleet. Medical costs and lost income follow. Because the owner-operator is a contractor — not a W-2 employee — workers' comp doesn't apply.

    Occupational accident coverage can respond to medical and disability claims, subject to the policy's terms and benefit limits. Without it, the fleet operator may face a direct claim.

  • Example scenario

    Mid-term truck addition without prompt endorsement

    A fleet operator buys a used semi-truck to handle a new contract and puts it to work immediately, planning to add it to the policy later. Before the endorsement goes through, the truck backs into a loading dock structure at a shipper's facility — damaging the truck's trailer and the dock. The truck isn't on the policy yet.

    The fleet operator's policy may not respond to the physical damage or the third-party property damage claim. Adding equipment to the policy at acquisition — not at a convenient later date — is basic fleet practice. Subject to carrier requirements and policy terms.

The claim scenarios above are illustrative examples only. They do not represent actual clients, actual claims, or guaranteed coverage outcomes. Coverage for any specific situation depends on the policy terms, conditions, exclusions, and the facts of the claim.

After coverage starts

Common certificate and service needs

Once coverage is in place, new contracts or business changes can mean new paperwork. A certificate only summarizes policy information; the policy and its endorsements determine the actual coverage.

Contract and certificate requests

  • Broker and shipper certificates — freight brokers require a current certificate before dispatching loads. Certificates typically name the broker as certificate holder and additional insured on auto liability and cargo coverage. BLIS handles issuance and reviews what the carrier agreement actually requires — the language matters.
  • MCS-90 endorsement — Fleets operating under their own FMCSA authority may need an MCS-90 as proof of financial responsibility. BLIS confirms that the insurer issues the endorsement when coverage begins.
  • Additional insured endorsements for shipper and broker contracts — some carrier agreements require the broker or shipper as an additional insured on the auto liability policy, not just a certificate holder. Those are different. We review the contract language and issue what it actually calls for.
  • Certificates for terminal or maintenance facility leases — landlords on yard and maintenance space leases typically require a certificate naming them as additional insured, referencing the GL policy. A new yard is a new certificate relationship.
  • Certificates for financed or leased trucks — lenders and equipment lessors must be listed as loss payees on physical damage coverage. Certificates confirming the lienholder's position are issued when each truck is added to the schedule.
  • UCR (Unified Carrier Registration) note — UCR is a separate filing requirement from insurance. BLIS is an insurance agency and does not process UCR filings. Confirm your UCR registration is current through the appropriate channel alongside your insurance compliance.

Ongoing service

  • Mid-term vehicle additions — adding each new power unit to the schedule with VIN, stated value, and lienholder information at the time of acquisition, before the truck goes into service.
  • Driver roster changes — adding new drivers and removing departed ones from the list. Some carriers require MVR pulls when a new driver is added mid-term. Staying current on the roster avoids eligibility questions at claim time.
  • Certificate requests for broker and shipper relationships — issuing certificates for new agreements and re-issuing when an existing relationship's requirements change. Fleet growth usually means more certificates to track.
  • Additional insured endorsements for new contracts — endorsing the policy to add required contract parties, reviewed against the actual contract language. Certificate holders and additional insureds require different steps.
  • Renewal preparation review — Fleet size, driver turnover, freight changes, and longer or shorter routes can affect price and available insurer options. We review those changes before asking insurers for renewal terms.
  • Loss run coordination — obtaining current fleet-wide loss runs from the carrier and reviewing claim history before renewal. The account should reflect the full multi-year pattern, not just the most recent year.
  • Coverage structure review for new freight types or territories — new commodities or new operating regions may require updates to cargo terms, limits, or endorsements. We review the existing structure and identify where adjustments may be needed.
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Review Your Fleet Coverage

Coverage availability, pricing, terms, conditions, limits, and eligibility depend on the insurer, state, details of the business, claims history, and policy terms. Nothing on this site guarantees coverage, pricing, approval, or savings.

Examples are hypothetical and illustrative. They show how a coverage can respond, not a promise that any specific claim will be covered. Actual coverage depends on your policy’s terms, conditions, and exclusions.

Blue Lagoon Insurance Services, LLC is an independent insurance agency licensed in California (0M74955), Nevada (3983946), Arizona (3003332484), Texas (2966873), and Florida (L120266). BLIS is not an insurance company; final decisions about coverage, terms, and pricing belong to the insurer.

References to FMCSA requirements, DOT authority, MCS-90 endorsements, UCR registration, and other regulatory matters are general informational context only. Regulatory requirements vary by operation type, commodity, vehicle weight, and jurisdiction. Confirm your specific compliance obligations with a qualified transportation attorney or the relevant regulatory agency. BLIS is an insurance agency, not a regulatory compliance service.