Truck Writers, Inc.

What Truck Writers, Inc. does

Truck Writers, Inc. is a family-owned independent insurance agency founded on September 1, 1983, in Roseville, Minnesota, and currently headquartered in Blaine, Minnesota, with a second office in Welcome, Minnesota. The company specializes exclusively in commercial trucking insurance, serving motor carriers across owner-operator, mid-size fleet, and large enterprise segments, as well as freight brokers and forwarders. It is licensed to provide trucking insurance in 38 states with primary coverage writing concentrated in 13 Midwestern and Mountain states, and has grown to a support staff of over 30 professionals.

The firm's product suite spans the full commercial trucking insurance stack: Fleet Insurance and Owner Operator Insurance bundles (primary liability, physical damage, cargo, bobtail/non-trucking liability, workers' compensation, occupational accident), Freight Broker Bonds (BMC-84 and motor vehicle dealer bonds), Per-Trip Excess Coverage, and alternative risk programs including the Transportation Alternative Risk Plan (TARP) group captive and the Midwest Safety Group (MSG) Minnesota workers' compensation self-insurance program. Truck Writers operates an independent agency model representing multiple carriers — including Progressive, Travelers, Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies, Great West Casualty, Canal Insurance, Acuity, AmTrust, Auto Owners, IAT, National Indemnity, Northland, Secura, West Bend, Amerisafe, EMC, and Great American — giving clients competing rate options. Self-service digital channels for bonds and per-trip excess coverage are delivered through third-party platforms (Propeller Insure/Axelerator and TripExcess), while the agency technology backbone runs on Applied Systems CSR24 for client portal, policy management, and certificate issuance. The proprietary Mile Markers™ program provides a structured risk management framework for motor carriers.

Truck Writers generates revenue through carrier commissions on placed policies and as a licensed Third-Party Administrator for its captive and self-insurance programs. Distribution is sales-led with dedicated account teams assigned to each client, supplemented by 24/7 self-service portals for commodity products. The firm is family-owned with no disclosed external institutional investment; leadership includes Shawn Sullivan (CEO), John Penton (VP), Kevin O'Neil (VP Sales), Leah Busack (CFO), and Mackenzie (Sullivan) Thompson (COO), with third-generation family members now involved in operations. Truck Writers was selected as one of 10 founding agencies of the Highway Certified Insurance Agency network launched June 1, 2026, and previously acquired Yoder Insurance Inc in June 2021 and Ringnell Insurance in 1996.

Name

Truck Writers, Inc.

Legal name

Truck Writers, Inc.

Website

https://truckwriters.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Truck Writers, Inc. is a family-owned independent insurance agency founded in 1983 that exclusively places commercial trucking insurance for motor carriers, owner operators, and freight brokers across 38 U.S. states through multi-carrier representation and captive programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Trucking Insurance

akta.pro primary industry

Non-Owned Auto Liability (Employee/Contractor Use) (TLABANAC)

Keywords

• Commercial truck insurance
• Fleet insurance coverage
• Freight broker bonds
• Owner operator insurance
• Transportation insurance agency

Headquarters

HQ city

Blaine

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Insurance Agency Commissions: Truck Writers operates as an independent insurance agency representing multiple insurance carriers. Revenue is generated through commissions paid by insurance carriers on policies placed. The agency does not charge clients directly for its advisory and placement services; compensation comes from carrier commissions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Truck Writers, Inc. is a family-owned independent insurance agency that places commercial trucking insurance policies on behalf of multiple insurance carriers. The agency provides trucking-specific coverage including primary auto liability, physical damage, cargo, workers' compensation, non-trucking/bobtail liability, freight broker bonds, per-trip excess coverage, and captive/self-insurance programs for motor carriers, owner operators, fleet operators, and freight brokers nationwide.

Product overview

Truck Writers is a family-owned independent insurance agency offering a comprehensive suite of trucking insurance products exclusively for the transportation industry. The core offering is Trucking Insurance, which bundles coverage across multiple carriers including Fleet Insurance (for 10+ truck motor carriers), Owner Operator Insurance (for single-unit operators), Freight Broker Bonds (BMC-84 and motor vehicle dealer bonds), and Per Trip Excess Coverage (through TripExcess platform). Alternative risk solutions include Captive and Self-Insurance Programs featuring the Transportation Alternative Risk Plan (TARP) group captive and Midwest Safety Group (MSG) workers' compensation program. Safety & Compliance resources include CSA support, safety documents, policies & procedures, and the Mile Markers risk management program. The agency operates with multiple insurance carrier relationships to provide competitive pricing options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Trucking Insurance Comprehensive trucking insurance program offering multiple coverage lines including auto liability, physical damage, cargo insurance, workers' compensation, freight broker insurance, per-trip excess coverage, and captive/self-insurance programs. Represents multiple insurance carriers to provide competing rates.
• Fleet Insurance Commercial trucking coverage designed for motor carriers operating 10 or more trucks. Bundles Primary Liability, Cargo Insurance, Physical Damage, General Liability, Workers' Compensation, Non-Trucking Liability/Bobtail, and Trailer Interchange into one coordinated policy.
• Owner Operator Insurance Specialized commercial trucking coverage for drivers who own their truck and operate under their own authority or lease onto a motor carrier. Covers Primary Liability, Cargo Insurance, Physical Damage, Bobtail Insurance, Non-Trucking Liability, and Occupational Accident coverage.
• Freight Broker Bonds Self-service surety bonds for transportation professionals available 24/7. Includes BMC-84 Freight Broker Bond ($75,000 surety bond required by FMCSA) and Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond, purchasable through a digital self-service portal.
• Per Trip Excess Coverage Self-service single trip excess Liability and Cargo coverage available 24/7/365 through TripExcess platform. Cargo coverage up to $1,000,000 over underlying coverage. Liability coverage up to $2,000,000 over underlying limits.
• Captive and Self-Insurance Programs Alternative risk programs administered by Truck Writers as licensed Third-Party Administrator. Includes Transportation Alternative Risk Plan (TARP) group captive for motor carriers and Midwest Safety Group (MSG) Minnesota workers' compensation group self-insurance program.
• Freight Broker Insurance Coverage solutions for licensed freight brokers and freight forwarders, including contingent auto liability, cargo legal liability defense, excess liability, and professional liability/E&O, addressing complex broker exposures in interstate commerce.

Quantifiable outcome

• Most fleet quotes delivered within 48 to 72 hours
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Highway (Highway Certified Network)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 June 2026Highway launched the Highway Certified Insurance Agency program as the first phase of its Highway Certified Network on June 1, 2026. Truck Writers was selected as one of 10 founding agencies. The certification establishes standards for accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of insurance data. Certified agencies commit to providing verifiable COIs, VIN-level vehicle coverage transparency, and timely policy updates on the Highway platform, used by freight brokers for compliance-based load assignment.
• TripExcesscoreTechnology or IntegrationTripExcess provides the technology platform for Truck Writers' self-service per-trip excess liability and cargo coverage. Coverage is available 24/7/365 through the TripExcess portal. Truck Writers white-labels or resells TripExcess coverage to its trucking clients.
• Insurance Company Partners (Multiple Carriers)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTruck Writers represents multiple insurance carriers as an independent agency, including Acuity Insurance, Amerisafe, AmTrust Financial, Auto Owners, Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies, Canal Insurance, EMC Insurance, Great American Insurance Group, Great West Casualty, IAT Insurance Group, National Indemnity Company, Northland Insurance, Progressive, Secura, Travelers, and West Bend Insurance. These carriers provide the underlying insurance products that Truck Writers places for its trucking clients.
• American Trucking Association (ATA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTruck Writers staff are active members of the American Trucking Association, often serving as board and committee members. ATA is the largest trade association for the trucking industry in the US.
• State Trucking AssociationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTruck Writers maintains active membership and board/committee participation in Iowa Motor Truck Association, Minnesota Trucking Association, South Dakota Trucking Association, Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association, Minnesota Transport Services Association, and Illinois Trucking Association. Staff are active in these Midwest-focused industry organizations.
• Women in TruckingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTruck Writers supports the Women in Trucking organization, which is dedicated to encouraging the employment of women in the trucking industry.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Canal Insurance Company: Specialty commercial insurance carrier with strong concentration in trucking, public auto, and commercial auto. Comparable as a carrier partner of Truck Writers serving the same specialty truck insurance niche.
• Northland Insurance: Commercial trucking carrier affiliated with Travelers, offering fleet and owner-operator trucking insurance. Comparable as one of Truck Writers' carrier partners and a direct-issuance competitor for the same specialty lines.
• Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies: Major workers' compensation carrier with strong commercial trucking book. Comparable as one of Truck Writers' carrier partners and a large incumbent in the same specialty lines (trucking WC, commercial auto).
• Great West Casualty Company: Specialty commercial truck insurance carrier focused exclusively on trucking and related commercial auto. Comparable as a key carrier partner of Truck Writers and a major direct-issuance competitor in the specialty trucking insurance market.
• Progressive Commercial: Direct division of Progressive offering commercial truck insurance online and through agents. Comparable as a major carrier partner of Truck Writers that also competes for direct-to-customer trucking accounts at national scale.

Emerging players

• CoverWallet: Digital commercial insurance platform serving small and mid-size businesses including trucking. Comparable as a technology-driven emerging player targeting the same SMB trucking customer with streamlined digital UX that competes for owner-operator and small-fleet accounts.

Others

• JB Hunt 360 Insurance Services: Insurance offerings extended through JB Hunt's carrier network platform. Comparable as an adjacent trucking-industry participant offering insurance-adjacent services to motor carriers through a different ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Western Truck Insurance Services: Independent commercial truck insurance agency placing coverage with multiple carriers for owner operators and fleets. Directly comparable as a specialty truck-only agency competing on multi-carrier access and trucking expertise.
• Smartway Insurance Services: Independent insurance agency specializing exclusively in commercial trucking insurance for owner operators and small fleets. Directly comparable as a truck-only specialty agency competing in the same customer segment with multi-carrier placement model.
• Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA): Member-owned trucker association providing truck insurance products exclusively to owner operators and small fleets. Directly comparable as a truck-only specialty insurance provider serving the same primary customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/truckwriters
• Facebookfacebook.com/truck-writers-138968592818278
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/truck-writers-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/truckwriters

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Truck Writers, Inc.