Concord vs CTI vs Hallmark — Trucking Insurance Programs Compared

If you have shopped commercial trucking insurance in the last two years, you have probably seen quotes from Concord, CTI, and Hallmark show up on the same spreadsheet. All three are specialty trucking programs — meaning they were built specifically for FMCSA-regulated motor carriers, not bolted onto a general commercial auto book. They look similar on the declaration page. They underwrite very differently. This article compares the three based on placement experience and public program materials, and points you toward the fit that usually makes sense for each carrier profile.

Short version up front: Concord tends to be the strongest option for mid-size fleets with two to twenty-five power units and a stable loss history. CTI Commercial is the program that will most often look at a new authority or a one-truck owner-operator with limited CDL years. Hallmark Financial's specialty trucking unit has the best claims reputation of the three but the tightest underwriting box, so it works best when your MVRs and loss runs are clean.

The three programs at a glance

Before getting into appetite and pricing, here is what each program is and who stands behind it. According to FMCSA insurance filing data, the federally required minimum financial responsibility for general freight is $750,000, and most shippers and brokers contractually require $1,000,000 combined single limit. All three programs write to that limit and higher.

All three write the standard trucking line-up: primary auto liability, physical damage, motor truck cargo, trailer interchange, and non-trucking liability where applicable. All three can issue the MCS-90 endorsement when required for interstate authority — if you need a refresher on what MCS-90 actually covers, see our explainer on the MCS-90 endorsement.

Concord: the mid-size fleet sweet spot

Concord Insurance Services markets itself as a transportation-focused program, and the underwriting behavior matches that. The program tends to be most competitive once a carrier has crossed the 24-month operating threshold and runs somewhere between two and twenty-five trucks. On accounts in that range with under a 50% loss ratio, Concord's primary auto liability quotes have frequently come in 8-15% under the next-best market in recent placements.

According to ATRI's 2024 Operational Costs of Trucking report, insurance premiums for motor carriers averaged $0.099 per mile in 2023, up from $0.087 in 2022. For a fleet running 120,000 miles per truck per year, that is roughly $11,880 per unit before physical damage. Concord's pricing on stable fleets in that ATRI-typical range has been consistent with the upper end of that average — not the cheapest possible number, but stable year over year, which matters more than the first-year quote.

What Concord underwriting looks for

• Two or more power units on the MC authority
• 24 months in business, or strong prior coverage history on the same DOT
• Drivers with three or more years of verifiable CDL experience
• Loss runs showing under one large loss in the last three years
• Operating radius and commodity that match the filed MCS-150

Where Concord pushes back

The program is less interested in new ventures, single-truck owner-operators with under two years on the MC, and certain hard commodities — auto haulers, household goods movers, and high-value targeted cargo. They will quote those classes, but rarely at the front of the spreadsheet. For one-truck or new-authority placements, you are generally better off going to CTI or Progressive Commercial first.

CTI: the new-venture and small-fleet specialist

CTI Commercial has built its book on the segment most standard markets avoid: trucking authorities with under 12 months of operating history. FMCSA registration data shows roughly 40,000 to 50,000 new motor carrier authorities granted per year in the post-2020 period, and the majority of those carriers struggle to find primary auto liability in the standard market during year one. CTI fills that gap.

Their willingness to write a new MC comes with a price. New-venture pricing across the industry runs 30-60% above what the same risk will pay in year three with a clean record — that pattern is documented in MoneyGeek's 2024 commercial auto rate analysis and is consistent with what I see on the placement side. CTI's new-venture quotes generally land within that 30-60% band, sometimes higher for sketchier risk profiles, sometimes lower for an experienced CDL holder starting their own authority.

What CTI underwriting looks for

• CDL experience on the named driver, even when the MC is new
• Clean three-year MVR (no major violations, no more than two minor)
• Garaging state that matches the operating territory
• Realistic radius and commodity declarations
• Down payment readiness — most CTI new-venture binds require 20-25% down

Where CTI struggles

The program is not built for large fleets. Once you cross ten or fifteen power units with a multi-year loss history, the underwriting becomes less competitive than Concord or Hallmark. CTI also tends to non-renew aggressively after a single severe loss, which is worth knowing before you build your insurance program around them long-term. If you are starting fresh and need a primary auto liability home for year one, CTI is often the answer; just plan to re-shop at the 18-month mark when you become attractive to the standard market. For broader new-authority context, see our breakdown of owner-operator truck insurance by state.

Hallmark: tightest box, best claims service

Hallmark Financial Services has been in specialty commercial trucking for years, and their specialty trucking unit (described on the Hallmark specialty commercial trucking page) writes primary auto liability, physical damage, and motor truck cargo. The program's appetite has tightened since 2022, in line with the broader trucking insurance market — Insurance Journal reported throughout 2023 and 2024 that several specialty markets were pulling back on new-venture and high-radius risks as combined ratios climbed.

What Hallmark does well, in my placement experience, is claims. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index data, Hallmark's commercial auto complaint ratios have generally tracked at or below the industry median. On the ground, adjusters typically pick up within the same business day, accident scenes get handled cleanly, and physical damage claims close faster than the program average. For a carrier whose business model cannot survive a six-week repair delay, that matters as much as the premium.

What Hallmark underwriting looks for

• 24 to 36 months minimum in business on the same DOT
• Loss ratio under 60% over the prior three years
• Three or more power units; some appetite up to fifty
• Drivers averaging five-plus years CDL experience
• Operating radius under 500 miles preferred, longer considered case by case

Where Hallmark says no

New ventures, single-unit owner-operators with limited experience, certain hazmat classifications, and carriers with more than one DOT-recordable accident in the past 24 months. The underwriting box is narrow, which is part of why their claims experience is what it is — they are selective on the front end so the loss runs stay manageable.

Side-by-side pricing patterns

Pricing in commercial trucking insurance moves quarterly and varies by state, radius, commodity, and driver. The figures below reflect general patterns observed on placements through 2024 and into 2025; they are not quotes. Your actual numbers will depend on your specific MCS-150, MVRs, and loss history.

The pattern that comes out of this: Hallmark is competitive when the risk is clean, Concord is competitive across the middle of the market including risks with one prior loss, and CTI is the only realistic option for true new-venture placements. For a deeper look at industry pricing trends, see our commercial truck insurance cost outlook for 2026.

Claims service compared

Premium gets you in the door, but claims service determines whether you renew. Here is how the three programs compare on the operational side of a claim.

Concord claims

Adjusters are generally available within 24 hours of FNOL. Physical damage claims tend to move at a normal pace — two to four weeks for a typical tractor repair, depending on parts. Where Concord can lag is on third-party bodily injury claims, which is true of most mid-size programs. They are reasonable, not industry-leading.

CTI claims

CTI's claims operation is smaller and more variable. On straightforward physical damage and cargo claims, response time is typically acceptable. On more complex third-party liability claims, expect the file to move slower than Concord or Hallmark, and budget for more involvement from your broker pushing on the adjuster. This is part of the trade-off for the program writing risks no one else will.

Hallmark claims

The strongest of the three on day-to-day claims handling. Direct-dial adjusters, predictable turnaround on physical damage, and a reasonable approach on cargo and trailer interchange. Hallmark also has stronger panel attorneys in most states, which matters when a claim moves into litigation.

Which program fits which carrier

To make this practical, here is a decision framework. Use it as a starting point; your actual best market depends on the full underwriting picture.

1. You just got your MC number and have under 12 months in business. Start with CTI. Concord and Hallmark will not be competitive. Plan to re-shop at 18 months when more markets open up.
2. You run 2 to 10 trucks, have 2 to 5 years on the MC, and a clean loss run. Get Concord and Hallmark both quoted. Hallmark will win on price if your losses are clean; Concord wins on consistency year over year.
3. You run 10 to 25 trucks with a mixed loss history. Concord is usually the best fit. Hallmark may decline, CTI is not built for this size.
4. You run 25+ trucks with strong controls. Concord and Hallmark are both viable; also look at the larger standard markets (Progressive Fleet, Great West, Nationwide E&S) for comparison. See our fleet insurance overview for context on larger placements.
5. You had a major loss in the last 24 months. CTI or an E&S placement. Concord may consider it; Hallmark will most likely decline.

Filings, endorsements, and certificates

All three programs handle the standard filings required for interstate trucking authority: BMC-91 or BMC-91X for the $750,000 minimum, MCS-90 endorsement on the policy, and state filings where required (notably in Texas, Kansas, and a handful of others). All three issue certificates of insurance to brokers and shippers within the standard turnaround — usually same business day for routine certs, longer for additional insured endorsements that require underwriter sign-off.

One practical difference: Concord's certificate desk has generally been the most responsive of the three, particularly for high-volume carriers running a lot of broker loads. CTI's cert turnaround can stretch to 48 hours during peak periods. Hallmark sits in the middle.

State and radius considerations

Each program has stronger and weaker states. Based on placement data through 2025:

• Concord is generally competitive across the Midwest and Southeast. Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia, and the Carolinas tend to be strong. See our Indiana commercial truck insurance page for state-specific notes.
• CTI has broad geographic appetite but is most active in Texas, Florida, Illinois, and California. Our Texas commercial truck insurance page covers Texas-specific filings.
• Hallmark writes nationwide but pulls back in states with elevated litigation environments — Louisiana, Florida, and parts of New York and New Jersey.

Radius matters too. Hallmark prefers under 500-mile radius. Concord is comfortable up to 1,000 miles. CTI writes long-haul without much push-back, which is part of why they win on long-haul owner-operators starting new authorities.

FAQ

Can I have one truck on Concord and another on CTI?

Generally no. Primary auto liability for an MC authority is written as one policy covering all power units on that DOT. You can have separate policies for separate authorities, but splitting trucks within the same MC across two carriers is not standard and creates filing complications.

What loss ratio do these programs target?

Most specialty trucking programs target a 60-65% loss ratio, with combined ratio targets in the low 90s. When the market hardens, those targets get stricter. Public Insurance Journal reporting through 2024 indicated commercial auto combined ratios remained above 105% industry-wide, which is why all three programs have tightened in recent years.

Does Hallmark write physical damage stand-alone?

Hallmark prefers to write physical damage on the same policy as primary auto liability. Stand-alone physical damage is possible in some cases but not the program's preferred structure.

How quickly can I bind a Concord or Hallmark policy?

For a standard renewal with clean underwriting, same-day binding is realistic if the application is complete. New business with filings and inspections required typically takes three to five business days. CTI new-venture binds can be faster — sometimes 24 to 48 hours if everything is in order. To start a quote across all three programs at once, use our quote request page.

What happens if my program gets non-renewed?

You will get a non-renewal notice 60 days before expiration in most states. That is enough time to re-shop. If the non-renewal came after a loss, expect the next program to price 20-40% higher, and budget accordingly. A broker who works all three of these programs (plus the standard markets) gives you the most options at that point.

Bottom line

Concord, CTI, and Hallmark are three of the more useful specialty trucking programs in the current market, but they are not interchangeable. CTI gets you on the road when no one else will write you. Concord gives you a stable mid-size fleet home with consistent renewals. Hallmark rewards a clean operation with the best claims service of the three, if you can fit inside their underwriting box. Most carriers will rotate through more than one of these programs over a decade of operating, and the right answer depends on where you are in that cycle — not on which name sounds best on the certificate.

Written by Nazar Mamaev, Full Coverage LLC, Indianapolis, IN — published November 2025. Full Coverage LLC is an independent brokerage and is not affiliated with Concord Insurance Services, CTI Commercial, or Hallmark Financial Services. Program appetite, pricing, and availability change frequently; verify current terms before binding.