Get a quoteGet a quoteCasey places commercial insurance for regional flatbed operations — open-deck, step-deck, RGN, and conestoga. From one truck running 300-mile lanes to mid-size fleets hauling steel coils, structural lumber, machinery, and over-dimensional loads. We work with carriers that understand cargo securement risk and tarping exposure.
Send your DOT and a few details. A broker will reach out within 1 business hour.
Casey places commercial insurance for regional flatbed operations — open-deck, step-deck, RGN, and conestoga. From one truck running 300-mile lanes to mid-size fleets hauling steel coils, structural lumber, machinery, and over-dimensional loads. We work with carriers that understand cargo securement risk and tarping exposure.
Overview
Regional flatbed is its own animal. Most loads run 200–500 miles, but the cargo is anything but standard — steel coils, lumber bundles, prefab structures, generators, equipment, building materials. The cargo securement rules (FMCSA 393.100–393.136) are different from dry van, and the loss patterns are different too.
Tarping injuries, fall-from-load, load shift, and over-dimensional permit issues are where flatbed claims come from. A broker who doesn’t know the class will quote you on dry van rates and you’ll have a coverage gap the first time a coil rolls off the deck.
“Flatbed cargo claims look different than dry van. If your broker can’t explain why, find another broker.”
Coverage you’ll typically need
Flatbed policies share the same core lines as dry van but lean harder on cargo and general liability — both because of how loads are secured and because of injury exposure at the deck.
Why flatbed is harder than it looks
Even good operations get declined for reasons specific to open-deck work. Knowing why saves a month of submission ping-pong.
Tarping injury claims
Worker comp and GL claims from drivers falling off flatbeds while tarping are common. Two recent claims pushes most carriers off.
Oversize / overweight loads
Loads requiring state permits get rated differently. Frequent OS/OW work narrows your carrier panel sharply.
Steel coil exposure
Coil-haul has higher severity claims. Some carriers won’t write coil at all; others surcharge it 15–25%.
New ventures (under 12 months)
Most flatbed carriers want 12+ months under the same MC#. There’s a small panel that writes new authority, but pricing is rated up.
Load shift / fall-from-load claims
These run higher severity than typical cargo claims. Two in 36 months and standard markets decline.
MVR issues
Major violations matter more on open-deck because of the cargo-control exposure. We know which carriers still bind.
What drives your premium
Flatbed rates moved up alongside dry van, with extra pressure from cargo severity and the trend toward higher minimum limits required by industrial shippers.
Quote in 24–48 hours
We pull your DOT and MC data automatically. The rest is paperwork most operations have on hand.
Federal & state compliance
Flatbed operators face the same FMCSA limits as other for-hire carriers, plus state-by-state permit and escort requirements for oversize loads.
Federal minimums (FMCSA). $750,000 combined single limit auto liability for non-hazardous freight on a vehicle over 10,001 lbs. The MCS-90 endorsement is required on your auto liability policy.
Practical shipper minimums. Industrial and construction shippers commonly require $1M CSL auto liability and $250K cargo. Some pipe and structural haulers require $2M and $500K cargo.
Cargo securement (FMCSA 393). Open-deck operators are responsible for compliance with the cargo securement rules. Securement failures are both a CSA violation source and a frequent cargo claim driver.
Common questions