Commercial auto premiums rose 9.1% in Q3 — what to do at renewal

Commercial auto premiums for small and mid-size fleets rose 9.1% in Q3 2025 compared to Q3 2024, according to broker data compiled across markets in 22 states. The increase was broad-based but not uniform: fleets with clean loss runs and documented safety programs saw increases averaging 4–5%, while fleets with one or more large claims in the prior 36 months saw increases of 12–18% or were declined outright by their current carriers.

The underwriting environment is tightening for a specific reason. Nuclear verdicts — jury awards exceeding $10M in commercial auto liability cases — have risen 35% over the past three years. Carriers have responded by repricing the tail risk in trucking liability policies, and the increase is flowing through to renewal pricing regardless of individual fleet performance.

What underwriters are looking for

The gap between 5% increases and 18% increases comes down to documentation. Underwriters at renewal are asking for more than a loss run; they want evidence of an active safety program. The specific items that move the needle:

Telematics data. Carriers that accept telematics-based underwriting are offering credits of 3–7% for fleets that share 12 months of driver safety scores, idle patterns, and hard-braking events. The credit requires submitting data, not just having a telematics platform. Ask your broker which carriers in your state offer telematics credits and what data format they accept.

Driver MVR policies. A documented policy for running MVRs on new hires and annually on current drivers signals to underwriters that your fleet is not accumulating hidden risk in your driver pool. Several carriers are now requiring proof of annual MVR reviews for fleets over 10 power units as a condition of coverage.

Dashcam footage. Carriers with dashcam-favorable underwriting are reducing premiums for fleets with AI-assisted dashcams that flag risky driving events. Some carriers are also using dashcam footage to quickly dispose of fraudulent third-party claims — which reduces their loss ratio and ultimately benefits your fleet’s pricing.

What to bring to your renewal meeting

Start preparing 90 days out, not 30. The two documents that matter most are your full 5-year loss run (request it from your current carrier immediately) and a written summary of any safety program changes you’ve made in the past 12 months.

If you’ve added telematics, updated your driver monitoring policy, or retrained dispatch in the past year, put that on paper before your broker goes to market. Underwriters respond to documented improvement even when the loss history shows a claim; what they’re underwriting is future risk, not past events alone.

Shop at least three carriers at every renewal. The commercial auto market for trucking is competitive at the top but narrow — there are roughly 15 carriers actively writing small fleet business nationally, and their pricing varies more than most operators realize. A broker who places your coverage with the same carrier every year may not be working the market hard enough.