Insurance costs are rising. That’s equally true for the trucking industry. Whether we’re talking about fleets or independent drivers, insurance is up. However, lower premiums can be achieved. It might just be based on where your trucks are parked.

Secure, well-managed parking doesn’t just protect your assets; it actively reduces the risk profile insurers use to set rates. In an environment where even safe, experienced operators are seeing steep increases, strategic parking has become a big part of controlling costs.

Why Are Insurance Costs Rising for Carriers and Owner-Operators?

According to experts at TrueNorth Companies, the cost of commercial trucking insurance continues to climb year after year.

“When it comes time to renew insurance each year, truck drivers have become used to seeing 5% to 15% premium increases, while motor carriers have seen as high as 35% to 40% premium increases,” says Chris Gulker, Practice Leader at TrueNorth Companies.

These hikes aren’t limited to high-risk carriers. Fleets and drivers with excellent safety records are also being affected. The reasons are complex but interconnected:

• A rise in “nuclear verdicts” and large claims, often in the tens of millions of dollars.
• Several insurance carriers are leaving the commercial auto market, reducing competition which raises costs.
• Proposed legislation that could raise minimum liability coverage from $750,000 to $2 million, which the American Trucking Association warns would make coverage even more expensive.

While rates are unlikely to drop anytime soon, the good news is that fleets and drivers can take steps to make themselves more attractive to insurers. It all starts with something as simple as where your trucks sit between hauls.

The Hidden Factor in Risk: Where Trucks Park

Insurers assess risk based on exposure. A truck parked in an unsecured lot or along a roadside is more likely to experience theft, vandalism, or damage than one in a secured facility. Every incident adds to a carrier’s claims history and ultimately raises insurance premiums. That is why secure, monitored parking locations dramatically reduce those risks. 

Some secure parking lot features like gated entry, video surveillance, controlled access, and lighting all demonstrate to insurers that your operation prioritizes safety and asset protection. And as a result, it will lower insurance costs for the carriers and owner-operators. After all, fewer claims mean lower perceived risks and that’s reflected in better rates over time.

The ROI of Strategic Parking for Fleets and Owner-Operators

For Fleets:

Strategic parking near major freight corridors allows fleets to keep assets centralized and secure. This not only reduces exposure but also strengthens compliance and data reporting. Fleets that can demonstrate lower incident rates and proactive safety investments can negotiate lower renewals.

Better parking also supports operational efficiency, helping drivers meet HOS limits safely, minimizing deadhead miles, and reducing late deliveries. Every one of those benefits reinforces the fleet’s reputation as a low-risk, high-performance operation to insurance companies.

For Owner-Operators:

Independent drivers face some of the steepest insurance costs. Independent drivers can spend $15,000 to $30,000 per year. By parking in insured, monitored facilities, they can help protect against theft or vandalism claims that might otherwise increase premiums.

Secure parking also safeguards personal safety and cargo, prevents downtime, and minimizes avoidable out-of-pocket costs. It’s a simple but powerful way to control the variables that insurers track most closely.

Additional Ways to Reduce Trucking Insurance Costs

While strategic parking can make a measurable difference, it’s just one part of a larger insurance-saving strategy. Owner-operators and fleets can take several other steps to manage costs responsibly:

• Maintain a clean driving record: Violations and accidents directly increase premium rates.
• Stay on top of truck maintenance: A well-maintained vehicle is safer, more reliable, and looked upon favorably by insurers.
• Avoid over-insuring new equipment: New trucks are more expensive to repair and replace. Consider whether a used truck might better fit your financial model.
• Increase deductibles: If cash flow allows, a higher deductible can significantly lower monthly premiums.
• Strengthen financial stability: Building credit and maintaining solid cash reserves helps insurers view you as a lower financial risk.
• Shop multiple quotes: Insurance companies weigh risks differently; comparing several options ensures you’re getting fair coverage for your profile.
• Consider leasing options: Leasing may provide access to fleet discounts and shared coverage benefits.

Combined with secure, risk-limiting parking, these strategies give carriers and drivers the leverage to keep insurance costs as predictable as possible.

Turning Insurance Costs into An Advantage with National Truck Parking

The cost of insurance is likely to rise again, but that doesn’t mean carriers and drivers are powerless. By addressing risk at every level. From driving habits to parking location, trucking businesses can reduce claims, strengthen renewals, and keep premiums under control.

Strategic parking isn’t just about convenience. It’s a proven way to protect assets, lower exposure, and demonstrate responsibility to insurers, all of which pay off at renewal time.

At National Truck Parking, our mission is to help fleets and drivers operate more efficiently and safely. Through secure, strategically located facilities across the country, we make it easier to protect your equipment, reduce downtime, and take control of rising insurance costs.

Stop letting unsafe parking drive up your insurance costs. [Find a Spot Near You]