Small trucking fleets seeking insurance from Progressive Commercial may be required to switch their existing electronic logging device (ELD) provider to Motive devices as a condition of obtaining coverage, according to documentation reviewed by FreightWaves and confirmed by the insurer.
The issue emerged after FreightWaves reviewed screenshots from Progressive’s commercial quoting platform showing an applicant who selected Samsara as the fleet’s ELD provider. The system then displayed a message stating that the customer would be required to purchase and install Motive telematics devices and agree to share telematics data in order to proceed. The system advised that the applicant would not be able to receive a quote without agreeing to install Motive devices within 30 days.
The Mandatory Switch
Progressive’s Smart Haul program has long allowed eligible motor carriers to share telematics data with the insurer in exchange for potential premium savings. However, FreightWaves reported that for some trucking applicants, participation in Smart Haul is no longer simply an opportunity to earn a discount — it has become part of the underwriting process itself. Progressive confirmed that a “small subset of trucking risks are required to participate in the Smart Haul program as part of the underwriting process.” The documentation further states that, in certain situations, customers are specifically required to install Motive telematics devices, while other applicants may qualify using different approved telematics providers depending on their underwriting profile.
How It Works
Progressive’s response established a distinction between voluntary and mandatory participation. The table below summarizes the key differences:
| Aspect | Voluntary Smart Haul | Mandatory Smart Haul (Underwriting) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Premium discount | Condition for coverage |
| Device choice | Customer may select from approved providers | Must install Motive devices (in certain cases) |
| Discount | Receive discount during initial policy term | No discount during initial policy term |
| Deadline for installation | N/A | 30 days |
| Consequence of non-installation | Loss of discount | Possible cancellation of coverage |
FreightWaves reported that applicants subject to mandatory participation are expected to install qualifying telematics devices within 30 days. If the requirement applies and the devices are not installed within that time frame, coverage may be subject to cancellation.
Implications for Small Fleets
For many trucking companies, particularly those that have already invested heavily in an existing fleet management platform, this requirement represents more than a simple underwriting question. According to FreightWaves, the language from the quoting system suggests that, under certain circumstances, the choice of telematics provider may become a condition of obtaining commercial insurance coverage. Modern ELD systems have become the operational backbone of many trucking companies, integrating dispatch software, maintenance scheduling, GPS tracking, fuel management, payroll, routing, driver scorecards, and safety systems. Being forced to switch providers could disrupt operations and require new hardware and training.
The evolution of telematics from a safety initiative into a tool that may influence eligibility for insurance coverage itself underscores how data-driven underwriting is reshaping the trucking industry. Small fleets should be aware that while many customers continue to have the option of enrolling in Smart Haul voluntarily for a discount, applicants who are required to participate as part of underwriting do not receive the standard Smart Haul participation discount during their initial policy term. For fleets that are already using a different ELD provider, this policy could mean additional costs and operational adjustments to secure insurance.
Sources:
