In a pivotal step for the autonomous freight industry, Bot Auto, a U.S.-based self-driving trucking company, has partnered with global insurance and risk management leader Marsh to design one of the first comprehensive insurance programs built specifically for autonomous vehicle fleets. The collaboration represents a milestone in the commercial deployment of driverless trucks — a sector that demands an entirely new approach to risk management and liability coverage.

The custom policy, underwritten by an A-rated carrier, provides Bot Auto with auto liability, property, general liability, cargo, and inland marine protection, complemented by a dedicated cybersecurity policy. Together, these form a multi-layered coverage framework suited to the unique operational and technological risks of driverless logistics.

Redefining Risk in the Age of Autonomy

Unlike traditional trucking companies, which face escalating legal and financial exposure tied to human error, autonomous fleets offer insurers unprecedented visibility into risk through continuous data streams from onboard sensors — including cameras, radar, and lidar.

“Safety isn’t a feature we layer in — it’s the foundation of how we operate,” said Brian Moore, chief policy officer at Bot Auto. “Our autonomous trucks are engineered to behave predictably, operate within strict parameters, and log everything. That allows us to respond faster, explain outcomes clearly, and continuously improve our systems.”

For insurers, this data transparency marks a fundamental shift in how risk is quantified. Incidents that once relied on eyewitness accounts and post-crash reconstruction — such as determining driver distraction or fatigue — can now be verified instantly through recorded telemetry and AI analytics.

“Risk becomes something measurable, traceable, and actively managed,” Moore added.

Marsh’s Role: From Broker to Innovation Partner

Marsh, one of the world’s largest insurance brokers and risk advisors, has positioned itself at the forefront of the autonomous vehicle (AV) insurance market, developing specialized frameworks that assess both machine reliability and algorithmic performance.

“Qualifying for Marsh’s AV insurance program requires a comprehensive risk mitigation approach that goes beyond standard industry practices,” said Owen Oakley, managing director at Marsh. “The placement of Bot Auto’s insurance program marks another milestone in the advancement of autonomous trucking in the U.S. and underscores the important role the insurance industry plays in its development.”

Industry analysts note that traditional underwriting models — designed for human-operated fleets — are poorly suited to autonomy-native operations. Instead, insurers must evaluate software version histories, fail-safe performance data, and remote operation protocols. Marsh’s involvement thus reflects a shift from traditional coverage to dynamic, data-driven risk management, aligning with trends reshaping mobility and logistics.

Commercial Expansion and Market Implications

With its new insurance program secured, Bot Auto has begun daily commercial freight operations between Houston and San Antonio, running driverless routes that form part of a broader logistics network across Texas. The company plans to expand its lane coverage in early 2026 following successful public road tests earlier this year.

The partnership also signals growing institutional confidence in the commercial viability of autonomous trucking — a sector projected by McKinsey & Co. to reach $125 billion in global market value by 2030, driven by AI advances, driver shortages, and increasing demand for reliable freight capacity.

By securing structured insurance coverage from a global provider like Marsh, Bot Auto not only mitigates operational risk but also clears a critical hurdle to broader fleet scaling, investor participation, and regulatory acceptance.

A New Frontier for Risk Management

The collaboration between Bot Auto and Marsh illustrates how the insurance industry is adapting to the machine-driven future of transportation — one where algorithmic accountability replaces driver liability and where continuous monitoring supplants manual investigation.

As more autonomous fleets transition from pilot projects to full commercial operations, the success of Bot Auto’s insurance model could serve as a blueprint for peers navigating the complex intersection of AI, logistics, and regulatory oversight.