Four Transportation Trends to Watch in 2026

What's happening: Insurers are increasingly evaluating the financial health of transportation operators as economic pressures persist across the industry.

To offset rising costs, some companies are increasing deductibles and self-insured retentions (SIRs), while others are restructuring insurance programs to reduce premiums. However, those decisions can create unintended consequences.

"What operators don't always realize is that moving away from a package program can leave them with multiple deductibles and significantly higher out-of-pocket costs. In some cases, one or two claims can put them out of business," explains Thomas Ryan, area senior vice president, RPS Transportation.

What it means: Insurers continue to favor companies that maintain strong safety controls, invest in equipment and demonstrate long-term operational stability. Short-term cost-cutting measures that affect maintenance or safety practices can create concerns during underwriting and may contribute to higher claim costs over time.

What's happening: A recent US Supreme Court ruling determined that freight brokers can be sued directly under state-law negligence claims when a carrier they selected is involved in a crash.

As insurers reassess freight broker exposures, pricing and capacity are beginning to shift. At the same time, safety scores, compliance records and operational performance are becoming increasingly important as brokers face greater scrutiny over carrier selection decisions.

What it means: Carrier selection is becoming a more significant liability issue for freight brokers. Brokers that document due diligence and prioritize carrier safety may be better positioned to manage emerging exposures. As broker scrutiny increases, carriers with strong safety records could gain a competitive advantage.

"Freight brokers should take a proactive approach to carrier selection. Evaluating carrier safety records and documenting due diligence can help support sound transportation decisions and reduce potential liability concerns in an evolving legal environment," says Thomas Ryan, area senior vice president, RPS Transportation.

What's happening: Criminal networks continue to evolve their tactics, using driver impersonation, identity theft and double-brokering schemes to infiltrate supply chains and divert freight. The risk remains concentrated in major freight corridors and logistics hubs, with electronics, food and beverage shipments, auto parts and apparel among the most frequently targeted commodities.

Losses reached an estimated $131.58 million during the first quarter of 2026, remaining consistent with valuations reported in recent years.

What it means: Cargo theft remains a significant concern despite ongoing investments in fraud prevention and supply chain security. As theft schemes become more sophisticated, transportation companies, freight brokers and shippers should remain vigilant, particularly when moving high-value cargo through high-risk markets.

What's happening: Large jury awards, social inflation and litigation funding continue to drive claim severity in the transportation sector. Insurers remain cautious in jurisdictions such as Florida, California, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, Illinois and New York, where litigation trends have contributed to elevated loss costs.

At the same time, there are signs of change. North Carolina recently enacted a ban on litigation funding, a measure many industry participants view as a positive step toward reducing excessive jury awards.

What it means: While tort reform may eventually influence claim outcomes, transportation companies should continue investing in loss prevention, telematics and claims-defense capabilities. Underwriters remain focused on safety performance and risk management practices when evaluating liability exposures.