)
Written byNick Dauk
)
Nick Dauk is a content writer specializing in business, entrepreneurship, personal finance, and travel who's been writing for Compare.com since 2023. His work has been featured in The New York Post, BBC, Business Insider, Fox Business, and Bisnow.
Nick’s global adventures have also been featured on Inside Hook, Houston Chronicle, Chicago Magazine, and The Telegraph.
)
Edited bySara Getman
)
Sara Getman is an insurance editor for Compare.com. With several years of insurance experience, Sara is passionate about helping readers better manage their money by breaking down complex topics into simple, clear, and easy-to-understand language.
Sara earned a Bachelor of Arts in Literature from Simmons University, where she served as editor-in-chief for the school’s literary and art magazine, Sidelines. She has been editing for Compare.com since 2025.
Updated
Why You Can Trust Compare.com: At Compare.com, it’s our mission to find simple ways to help our customers save money on the things they need. While we partner with some of the companies and brands we talk about in our articles, all of our content is written and reviewed by our independent editorial team and never influenced by our partnerships. Learn about how we make money, review our editorial standards, and reference our data methodology to learn more about why you can trust Compare.com.
Advertiser Disclosure
At Compare.com, it’s our mission to give you the tools to find the best (and most affordable) insurance for your unique needs and budget. We strive to provide information that’s helpful, clear, and unbiased, and we believe that comparing insurance companies should never put you at risk of spam. Our editorial team — which is made up of experienced writers, editors, insurance agents, and data analysts — has spent thousands of hours researching and creating the coverage overviews, side-by-side comparisons, and detailed reviews you see across our site.
While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.
In This Article
All business vehicles need commercial auto insurance, but many dump truck owner-operators need additional coverage. From cargo protection to pollution hazards, specialized insurance protects dump truck operators facing liability risks, property damage claims, and regulatory compliance requirements.
This guide will discuss basic dump truck insurance policies and the essential coverages they provide. You’ll also learn how dump truck insurance rates are set, tips for how to save, and how to select the right commercial vehicle policy for your company.
Key Takeaways
Your insurance rates and coverage needs may vary if you use your dump truck across state or country borders.
Bobtail and deadhead coverages aren’t standard and require separate policy add-ons.
Dump truck insurance alone doesn’t cover injuries or damages you cause when using your dump truck for personal, nonbusiness activities.
Dump Truck Insurance Explained
All commercial car insurance policies for dump trucks must meet the minimum levels and limits required by state law. Most states require liability insurance, which typically includes bodily injury insurance and property damage coverage.
For example, Texas requires dump truck owners to have $500,000 of liability insurance, while Minnesota requires $100,000/$300,000 of public liability insurance and $50,000 of property damage coverage.[1] [2]
And some states may require uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or medical payments coverage. Florida, for instance, requires personal injury protection (PIP).[3]
If your dump truck strikes a pedestrian or another vehicle, your bodily injury insurance would help pay for that person’s medical bills. If your dump truck accidentally hits a car, the property damage coverage would help pay for the repairs.
Find a Commercial Auto Insurance Policy
Check rates from a top business insurance company.
What dump truck insurance covers
Dump truck insurance typically covers the injuries or damages your dump truck causes to another driver, passenger, vehicle, or property. These basic liability coverages don’t cover damages or injuries to you, your driver, or your dump truck.[3]
What dump truck insurance doesn’t cover
Commercial car insurance won’t cover every risk that comes with owning, using, and storing a heavy-duty vehicle. Consider these common scenarios where additional coverage could come in handy.
Vandalism, theft, or weather damage: Basic commercial car insurance doesn’t cover vandalism and weather damage. It might be helpful to have comprehensive coverage. Damages to your dump truck when you’re at fault require collision coverage. Physical damage coverage typically includes collision, comprehensive, and named perils coverage.[3]
Owner-operators: Dump truck owners who operate independently usually need to carry financial responsibility filings. This includes offering for-hire motor truck cargo transportation and disposal services.
Personal use: If you own a dump truck and plan on using it for personal, nonbusiness-related activities, you’ll need separate non-trucking liability coverage.
Towing: Driving a dump truck with a trailer behind it normally requires bobtail liability insurance. Deadhead insurance is another liability policy that commercial car insurance doesn’t typically include. It insures the vehicle when driving an empty trailer.
Cost of Dump Truck Insurance
)
Two major factors affect dump truck insurance quotes: the overall coverage in the policy and the profile of the business purchasing the dump truck insurance coverage. Adding cargo insurance to an auto liability policy can affect rates just as significantly as increasing or decreasing deductibles can.[4]
Insurance rates can also be different between two dump truck businesses with the same exact types of insurance.
Here’s what insurance companies consider when pricing your dump truck policy:
Federal requirements: Dump truck business must comply with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements.
State insurance minimums: This includes the types of coverage and limits your state requires.
Driving history: Truckers with clean driving records may receive lower rates than haulers with a history of accidents or traffic violations.
Radius of operation: If you operate across state or international borders, you may need higher coverage levels.
Type and age of truck: The dump truck’s make, model, age, and repair costs can influence your rates.
Claims history: Businesses without a history of filing claims may receive more competitive rates.
Remember, comparing costs and inquiring about discounts with multiple insurance companies can help you get the right coverage for the best price.
Protect Your Business Vehicles
Cover cargo vans, pickups, food trucks, and more.
Important Insurance Coverages for Dump Truck Owners
)
All states require a minimum level of commercial truck insurance, and most dump truck operators need a combination of liability, property, and business insurance. Although dump truck insurance costs increase when you purchase additional protection, many of these coverage options are relevant to owner-operators both on and off the job site.
Consider if these insurance options and coverage limits align with your business needs and state laws.
General liability insurance
Commercial general liability insurance covers non-vehicle-related bodily injury and property damage that your employees may cause on a jobsite. This includes any accidental injuries or damages that happen while loading or unloading a dump truck, and most job contracts require it.
This insurance coverage also includes medical payments for any injuries and protection against issues like slander and copyright infringement. General liability insurance doesn’t cover injuries or damages to your employees and their property.[5]
Business owners policy
A business owners policy (BOP) combines property insurance, business interruption insurance, and general liability coverage. A BOP doesn’t include workers’ compensation, disability insurance, professional liability insurance, or commercial dump truck insurance.
This optional type of coverage is ideal for businesses that have garages, office space, or additional on-site equipment in addition to their commercial trucks.[6]
Workers’ compensation insurance
Workers’ compensation insurance is a requirement for businesses that employ drivers or crew working with dump trucks. This coverage protects the business from lawsuits resulting from a workplace injury. Workers’ compensation requirements vary by state law, but it typically covers medical bills and any lost wages an employee or contractor incurs after an injury on the job.[7]
Customize Your Commercial Auto Policy
Protect your business vehicles today
Other coverages dump truck owners should consider
Your state’s minimum insurance requirements don’t protect your dump trucks from all business interruptions and risks. Business owners should consider these optional dump truck insurance policies that offer additional coverage.
Inland marine insurance: This covers the materials, equipment, and products you’re transporting, as well as when they’re temporarily placed in third-party storage. Cargo theft and collision coverage apply to inland marine insurance.[8]
Trailer interchange insurance: This is useful for businesses that transfer loads between trucking companies. This agreement covers physical damage to the shipment when other truck drivers haul the load in a vehicle that isn’t insured by your business.[9]
Pollution liability insurance: This is a type of environmental liability coverage for a commercial vehicle hauling materials that, if spilled, would pollute an area.[10]
Dump Truck Insurance FAQs
Dump truck insurance requirements vary by state, and while it’s usually more expensive than personal auto insurance, you still have ways to save. Here are some common questions you may have about dump truck insurance.
What are the dump truck insurance requirements for each state?
States set individual insurance requirements for dump trucks, both for usage within the state and across state lines. States may require a minimum level of liability, property, and business insurance depending on the materials hauled and vehicle weight.
You can find your state’s requirements on its DOT or DMV website.
How can you find cheap dump truck insurance?
Compare quotes from multiple insurance companies to find the most affordable dump truck insurance. Ask about bundling discounts if your company has multiple vehicles or has other business insurance needs. It’s also helpful to hire drivers with clean records. This can help keep your rates low.
What insurance do you need for a dump truck?
Dump trucks must meet your state-mandated commercial auto insurance laws. The minimum typically includes some form of personal liability and property damage. Minnesota, for instance, requires public liability and property damage liability insurance.
Do commercial trucks cost more to insure?
Yes. Commercial trucks typically cost more to insure than private vehicles. The type of vehicle, its specialized usage, the number of people allowed to drive it, and higher liability limits contribute to higher premiums.
Sources
- Texas DMV. "Tips for Compliant Operations as a Texas Intrastate Motor Carrier."
- Minnesota DOT. "Insurance Requirements - Intrastate For-Hire Operating Authority."
- III. "Business Vehicle Insurance."
- III. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- III. "Commercial general liability insurance."
- III. "What does a business owners policy (BOP) cover?."
- III. "Workers Compensation Insurance."
- III. "Understanding inland marine insurance."
- Oregon Department of Administration Services. "Insurance Clauses - Truckers Coverage."
- III. "Environmental liability insurance."
)
Nick DaukInsurance Writer
Nick Dauk is a content writer specializing in business, entrepreneurship, personal finance, and travel who's been writing for Compare.com since 2023. His work has been featured in The New York Post, BBC, Business Insider, Fox Business, and Bisnow.
Nick’s global adventures have also been featured on Inside Hook, Houston Chronicle, Chicago Magazine, and The Telegraph.
Sara Getman is an insurance editor for Compare.com. With several years of insurance experience, Sara is passionate about helping readers better manage their money by breaking down complex topics into simple, clear, and easy-to-understand language.
Sara earned a Bachelor of Arts in Literature from Simmons University, where she served as editor-in-chief for the school’s literary and art magazine, Sidelines. She has been editing for Compare.com since 2025.
