Commercial Auto Insurance Is Changing: What Brokers Must Know About Telematics in 2026

Commercial auto insurance is entering a transformation—one driven not by traditional underwriting, but by real-time driving data, safety analytics, and connected fleet technology. For brokers, 2026 will mark a major turning point as more carriers adopt telematics-based underwriting models and require deeper safety insights from insured fleets.

Brokers who understand these shifts will be equipped to retain accounts, improve placement success, reduce losses, and win new business—especially among small commercial fleets that need help navigating rising premiums.

This guide breaks down what’s changing, what’s trending, and how brokers can use telematics to deliver more value than ever before.

 

Why Commercial Auto Insurance Is Shifting Toward Telematics

Loss ratios in commercial auto have been climbing for years,driven by:

  • Increased distracted driving
  • Higher repair and replacement costs
  • Nuclear verdicts
  • Rising severity of accidents
  • A shortage of experienced drivers

At the same time, telematics and dash camera data have proven to reduce claims frequency and severity by giving fleets tools to improve behavior before losses happen.

Carriers are taking notice. In 2026, we expect:

  • More telematics-required underwriting programs
  • Greater reliance on driver behavior scores
  • Integration of crash detection, AI dash cam data, and claims automation
  • More granular pricing models tied to risk, not averages

For brokers, telematics is no longer optional knowledge—it’s a competitive necessity.

Trend #1: Data-Driven Underwriting Is Becoming Standard

Underwriters increasingly want insights like:

  • Hard braking and rapid acceleration
  • Speeding frequency
  • Distracted driving indicators
  • Cornering stability
  • Seat belt usage (where available)
  • Idling and route behavior
  • AI-detected risky events

These insights allow carriers to price risk more accurately and improve their portfolio performance. Fleets with good driver behavior data often see better pricing, faster approvals, and fewer surprises at renewal.

Brokers who proactively bring telematics data into the renewal process will have a clear advantage.

 

Trend #2: Fleets With No Telematics Will Pay More

In 2026, fleets without telematics or dash cams will increasingly be seen as blind-spot risks.

Carriers know:

  • Fleets with telematics average 20–30% fewer accidents
  • Dash cam fleets settle claims faster and reduce litigation exposure
  • Behavior-based coaching programs decrease long-term loss trends

Without telematics, fleets will struggle to defend themselves after a claim, and insurers will price the uncertainty accordingly.

Brokers who guide clients toward telematics early in the cycle can prevent premium shock later.

 

Trend #3: Dash Cameras Become a Critical Claims Tool

Dash cameras are quickly becoming the new seat belt of fleet insurance.

Why? Because:

  • 70–80% of commercial accidents are not the fleet’s fault
  • Video verifies what really happened
  • Carriers resolve claims faster with video evidence
  • Exoneration reduces loss dollars and prevents nuclear verdict escalation

In 2026, brokers will increasingly see carriers asking: “Does the fleet have dash cameras? If not, why not?”

Brokers who help clients adopt video early will dramatically improve claims outcomes.

 

Trend #4: Carriers Want Actionable Safety Programs—Not Data Dumps

Telematics data alone is not enough. Carriers want to know what fleets do with the data.

This is where programs like Safety IQ, driver score cards, MVR monitoring, and monthly coaching reports become essential.

Carriers increasingly prefer:

  • Consistent coaching documentation
  • Improvement trends over time
  • Driver risk reduction plans
  • High-level safety reporting for underwriting

Brokers who provide these tools, or partner with a platform that does, will help underwriters feel confident about the account.

 

Trend #5: Brokers Become Trusted Advisors Through Safety Analytics

The biggest opportunity in 2026?

Brokers can elevate their role from “policy provider” to strategic risk advisor.

With telematics data, brokers can:

  • Identify high-risk behaviors before they become losses
  • Help fleets implement coaching workflows
  • Provide underwriting-ready reports
  • Support appeals when crashes aren’t the fleet’s fault
  • Show measurable improvements year over year

This transforms the renewal conversation from reactive to proactive.

 

What Brokers Should Do Now to Stay Ahead in 2026

1. Start Asking Clients About Their Telematics Capabilities

What systems are they using?
Do they have dash cams?
Are they reviewing driver behavior?

2. Help Clients Package Their Data for Underwriters

Underwriters want clarity—not spreadsheets full of raw data.

3. Encourage Clients to Adopt Dash Cams Before Renewal

It minimizes claims, protects drivers, and improves underwriting results.

4. Offer a Value-Added Safety Review

Position yourself as a consultant, not just a quote provider.

5. Partner With a Telematics Risk Platform (Like Ensure Analytics)

Ensure Analytics makes this easy by providing:

  • Driver safety scorecards
  • Behavior trend reports
  • Claims-supporting video incidents
  • MVR monitoring
  • Coaching documentation
  • Underwriting-ready fleet safety summaries

This elevates the broker’s ability to advocate for the account and secure better pricing.

 

How Ensure Analytics Helps Brokers Win in 2026

At Ensure Analytics, we specialize in turning complex telematics data into underwriter-ready insights that help brokers:

  • Strengthen submissions
  • Improve renewal outcomes
  • Reduce loss ratios
  • Defend clients during claims
  • Demonstrate proactive risk management

Our programs integrate telematics, safety coaching,scorecards, AI dash cameras, and insurance analytics into one powerful platform designed for brokers and their insureds.

Brokers who leverage Ensure Analytics build stronger relationships, retain more accounts, and differentiate themselves in a crowded market.

 

Final Takeaway: Commercial Auto Insurance Is Entering a New Era

Telematics isn’t the future anymore—it’s the present, and it’s shaping how commercial auto insurance will be priced, underwritten, and serviced in 2026 and beyond.

Brokers who embrace this shift will deliver more value,reduce risk for their clients, and position themselves as leaders in a rapidly changing industry.

 

Ready to Bring Telematics Insights Into Your Insurance Strategy?

Ensure Analytics helps brokers turn driving data into better underwriting outcomes, safer fleets, and stronger renewals.

Schedule a Fleet Insurance Risk Review

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