Unlike commercial auto insurance—which covers a wide range of vehicles used for business purposes—commercial truck insurance applies to large commercial vehicles used in construction, road maintenance, sanitation, transport of goods, and agriculture—such as semi-trucks, tractor trailers, tow trucks, car carriers or rollbacks, flatbed trucks, dump trucks, bucket trucks, garbage trucks, box trucks, front loaders, street sweepers, refrigerated trucks, and cement mixers.

These vehicles may be owned by:

• Motor carriers—for-hire trucking companies that own a fleet of vehicles;

• Owner-operators—individuals who operate their own trucking business, whether the vehicle is owned by the operator or leased by the operator;

• Private carriers—individuals who use their personal vehicle to transport goods on behalf of their employer.

For example, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) requires commercial truck drivers to have a minimum amount of insurance. See the United States Code of Federal Regulations at 49 CFR §387. Minimum liability coverages vary depending on the amount and type of freight being transported—including, for example, whether the freight is hazardous material or explosives, non-hazardous freight, or oil.

In Colorado, commercial truck insurance is a specialized form of insurance tailored to cover large commercial vehicles used in various industries such as construction, road maintenance, and transportation of goods. The insurance requirements for these vehicles are influenced by both federal and state regulations. Federally, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates that commercial truck drivers carry a minimum amount of insurance, with specific coverage levels depending on the type of freight being transported, as outlined in 49 CFR §387. This includes higher liability coverages for hazardous materials or explosives. In Colorado, motor carriers, owner-operators, and private carriers must comply with these federal requirements as well as any state-specific regulations that apply to commercial vehicle insurance. It's important for entities operating commercial trucks in Colorado to ensure they meet both federal and state insurance requirements to maintain compliance and protect their business interests.