Who Insures Moving Companies? The Major Carriers and What They Cover

Finding insurance is one of the biggest challenges facing moving company operators. The number of carriers willing to write policies for household goods movers has declined steadily since 2020. Claim severity has increased, several insurers have exited the market entirely, and the remaining carriers have raised premiums and tightened underwriting standards.

As of 2026, fewer than 15 insurance carriers actively write new policies for household goods movers in the United States. Several of these only cover larger fleets (10+ trucks) or companies affiliated with major van lines. Small operators with 1 to 5 trucks face the most limited options and the highest premiums relative to revenue.

This guide identifies the major insurers, what they cover, their fleet requirements, and what moving company operators should expect when shopping for coverage.

Progressive Commercial is the largest writer of commercial auto policies for small to mid-sized moving companies. They offer BIPD (bodily injury and property damage), cargo coverage, and general liability. Progressive serves operators with as few as 1 truck and is available in all 50 states. Their annual premiums for a single-truck operation range from $8,000 to $15,000 for BIPD and $2,000 to $5,000 for cargo.

National Interstate Insurance, a subsidiary of Great American Insurance Group, specializes in passenger transportation and household goods movers. They are one of the few carriers that actively seek HHG mover accounts and have underwriters who understand the industry. Fleet minimum is typically 3 trucks. Premiums are competitive for clean operators but they are selective about claims history.

Canal Insurance Company, based in Greenville, SC, has been a fixture in trucking insurance for decades. They write BIPD and cargo for moving companies with 5+ trucks. Their premiums run higher than average but they are known for staying in the market when others exit.

Great West Casualty, headquartered in South Sioux City, NE, is one of the largest trucking insurers in the country. They primarily serve long-haul and regional trucking but also write policies for larger moving operations (15+ trucks). Their HHG book is relatively small but growing.

Sentry Insurance serves moving companies primarily through van line affiliations. Many United Van Lines and Mayflower agents obtain coverage through Sentry-backed programs. Independent operators can access Sentry through select brokers.

Northland Insurance (a Travelers company) writes commercial auto and cargo for mid-sized to large moving companies. Their minimum fleet size is typically 10 trucks, and they prefer companies with $2 million or more in annual revenue.

OOIDA (Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association) offers insurance programs for owner-operators, including those in the moving industry. Coverage is limited to OOIDA members and focuses on single-truck and small-fleet operators.

Lancer Insurance, based in Long Beach, NY, specializes in transportation insurance including moving companies. They serve the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic markets and are known for competitive rates on general liability and cargo.

Beyond these carriers, several surplus lines insurers and specialty programs fill gaps for operators who cannot obtain coverage in the standard market. These include Markel, Kingsway, and various Lloyd's of London syndicates. Surplus lines premiums are typically 20% to 40% higher than standard market rates.

Moving companies require multiple types of insurance coverage, each serving a different purpose. BIPD (bodily injury and property damage) covers injuries to people and damage to property caused by your vehicles. This is mandatory in all states and for FMCSA authority. Minimum limits for interstate movers are $750,000, though most carriers require $1 million.

Cargo insurance covers loss or damage to customer belongings while in your possession. FMCSA requires cargo coverage for interstate movers. Typical limits are $50,000 to $250,000 per shipment, depending on fleet size and average shipment value.

General liability covers non-vehicle-related claims: a mover drops a dresser through a customer's floor, a crew member damages a doorframe, or a customer trips over your equipment. Typical limits are $1 million per occurrence, $2 million aggregate.

Workers compensation covers injuries to your employees. Required in all states except Texas (where it is optional). Rates vary by state, averaging $8 to $25 per $100 of payroll for moving company employees (class code 8293).

Warehouse legal liability covers customer goods stored in your warehouse. Required if you operate storage facilities. Umbrella/excess liability provides additional limits above your primary policies, typically $1 million to $5 million.

Insurance pricing for moving companies is driven by several key factors. Fleet size and age are primary: newer trucks with safety features cost less to insure. Driver records matter significantly. A single at-fault accident can increase commercial auto premiums by 15% to 30%. Multiple violations or accidents can make a company uninsurable in the standard market.

Claims history over the past 3 to 5 years is the strongest predictor of future premiums. Companies with loss ratios above 60% face non-renewal or steep increases. Companies with loss ratios below 40% can negotiate favorable rates.

Geography affects pricing through accident frequency, litigation environment, and state regulations. California, Florida, New York, and New Jersey are the most expensive states for commercial auto insurance. Rural states like Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming are the least expensive.

Revenue and mileage determine exposure. Higher revenue and more miles driven mean more exposure to claims. Carriers use these metrics to calculate base premiums.

Van line affiliation can help or hurt. Affiliated agents may access group insurance programs with better rates, but they may also be limited to a single carrier.