In 2025, the average workers' comp rate for truckers is $6.33 per $100 of payroll. That’s about $296 per month for a single trucker. This insurance covers job-related injuries or illnesses, protecting both drivers and the businesses they work with.
Your workers' comp premium depends on a few key factors:
Trucking is considered a high-risk industry. Hauling freight over long distances comes with potential accidents, injuries during loading or unloading, and even exposure to hazardous materials. The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) assigns class codes and risk levels to jobs, and truckers fall under some of the riskiest classifications.
For more details, check out our Workers’ Compensation Code for Truckers 2025.
Your premium is tied to your payroll. Higher payroll means higher potential risk for injuries, which leads to a higher premium.
A clean safety record can save you money. Fewer claims over time can lower your rates, while frequent claims can increase premiums.
Here’s the formula:
Determine the total annual payroll for all drivers.
If annual numbers aren’t available, calculate each employee’s hourly rate multiplied by weekly hours and weeks worked per year.
Find the workers' comp rate for your industry and state:
Let’s say you’re a trucking company owner in Louisiana. You have four drivers classified as 1099 contractors, but since they’re uninsured, you need to include them in your trucker’s workers’ comp policy. You’re excluded from coverage as the owner.
Here’s how to calculate your premium:
That’s approximately $1,289 per month for all your employees. .
This is an estimate and could vary based on additional factors like state regulations and discounts.
To give you an idea of what you might pay for workers' comp insurance, here’s an example of average costs per employee for a few states.
If you’re an owner-operator with no employees, you may still need workers' comp. Here are the two common options used to meet these requirements and their costs.
With this option, your premium is often calculated at the onset of the policy based on a minimum payroll amount set by the state. If your actual payroll exceeds this amount, you’ll owe the difference at audit time, which can lead to unexpected expenses. For most truckers, this type of policy typically costs around $300 a month.
A ghost policy is a flat-rate policy designed to meet contract requirements without providing actual coverage. It typically costs around $1,000 annually, which is usually more affordable than a regular policy. However, many ghost policies require the entire premium to be paid upfront, making the initial cost higher than a regular policy.
Kickstand Note:
Always check the specific insurance requirements of the company you’re contracting with. Some contracts stipulate that owners cannot be excluded, which means a ghost policy won’t work.
A workers’ comp policy typically includes:
Want to save money on workers' comp?
Here are a few strategies:
Implement a driver safety training program focusing on accident prevention and cargo handling procedures.
Ensure all workers are correctly classified. Misclassification can inflate your premiums unnecessarily.
Regular inspections and maintenance of trucks reduce accidents caused by faulty equipment.
Some insurance providers offer discounts to businesses with a low claims history or proven safety initiatives.
Want to know how much workers' comp will cost for your trucking business? Use our online calculator to get a customized quote and find out how much you can save!
Note: The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal or insurance advice. Laws and regulations regarding workers' compensation insurance are complex and vary by state and by specific circumstances. Therefore, readers are encouraged to consult with a qualified legal or insurance professional to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem they might have.
Typically, a ghost policy cost is around $1,000, although prices may vary depending on the insurance carrier and coverage options. Some carriers that offer ghost policies also provide pay plans, while others may not.