Auto & transportation

Trucking Insurance

Primary liability, physical damage and cargo for for-hire motor carriers and owner-operators running under their own authority, plus the filings that authority needs.

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Trucking insurance is the set of coverages a for-hire motor carrier needs to get on the road and stay compliant: primary auto liability, plus physical damage for tractors and trailers, motor truck cargo and the other coverages brokers and shippers ask for. Your insurance company also makes the federal or state filings that show your authority is insured.

It is built for carriers running under their own USDOT and MC numbers, from a new owner-operator with one tractor to a growing fleet. Owner-operators leased to another motor carrier usually need a different setup, such as non-trucking liability, because the motor carrier typically provides primary liability while the truck is used in its business.

Whether you're applying for new authority or adding trucks to an established fleet, we help you pull together the information for a quote, coordinate the filings your authority needs and keep certificates current for brokers and shippers. Insurance options depend on your operation, location, licensing requirements and insurance company availability.

Filings and endorsements are different

A filing is proof of insurance that your insurance company sends to a regulator. For interstate for-hire carriers, the insurer typically files a BMC-91 or BMC-91X with FMCSA (the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) to show your bodily injury and property damage liability. Household goods carriers also need a cargo filing (BMC-34), and some states require their own filings for intrastate work.

An endorsement changes the policy itself. The MCS-90 is an endorsement attached to the auto liability policy of for-hire interstate carriers and some hazardous materials carriers, and it protects the public. It is not a filing. Which forms apply depends on your operation, cargo, vehicles and authority; we'll help you check yours.

Federal minimum limits

For many for-hire interstate carriers hauling general freight in vehicles of 10,001 pounds or more, the federal minimum liability limit is $750,000. Carriers using only lighter vehicles have a lower minimum, and some hazardous materials require $1,000,000 or $5,000,000. Many brokers and shippers ask for $1,000,000 or more, so the limit you need often comes from your contracts rather than the federal minimum.

What's typically included

Exact coverage depends on the policy form, endorsements and insurance company.

Primary auto liability

Typically pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others while operating, up to the limit. The limit you need depends on federal or state minimums for your operation and on your broker and shipper contracts.

Federal and state filings

Your insurance company files proof of liability coverage with FMCSA, usually on a BMC-91 or BMC-91X, and with states that require their own filings for intrastate work. Requirements vary by operation and state; we'll help you check yours.

MCS-90 endorsement

An endorsement, not a filing. It is attached to the auto liability policy of for-hire interstate carriers and some hazardous materials carriers, and it protects the public when a judgment would not otherwise be paid by the policy. See the caution below.

Physical damage

Collision and comprehensive for tractors, trucks and owned trailers, usually written on a stated-amount basis, meaning you list a value for each unit. Many policies pay the lesser of that amount or actual cash value. Lienholders and lessors are typically listed as loss payees.

Motor truck cargo

Can pay for loss of or damage to the freight you haul, subject to commodity restrictions, limits per load and theft conditions. Cargo terms vary widely between policies.

Trailer interchange and non-owned trailers

Physical damage for trailers you pull but don't own. Trailer interchange typically requires a written interchange agreement; non-owned trailer coverage can address other situations.

General liability

Can respond to claims that don't involve driving, such as injuries at a terminal or loading dock. Shippers, warehouses and port facilities often require it.

Workers' compensation or occupational accident

Employee drivers generally need workers' compensation. Owner-operators may be eligible for occupational accident coverage instead, depending on the state and the contract; it is not the same as workers' compensation.

What to watch for

Unlisted or excluded drivers. A driver who is not on the schedule, or who does not meet the policy's age and experience rules, can create serious problems after a loss.
Scheduled-auto policies where a new tractor or trailer was not added before it went into service.
Radius and lane changes. A policy rated for regional runs that starts carrying long-haul loads, or into states never disclosed, may not match what the insurance company agreed to cover.
Commodities not disclosed to the insurance company. Hauling a commodity the cargo policy excludes can leave a claim without coverage.
The MCS-90 protects the public, not you. If the insurer pays a claim under it that the policy would not otherwise pay, the motor carrier can be required to reimburse the insurer.
Lapses and cancellations. Your insurer notifies FMCSA when a policy is cancelled, and your operating authority can be revoked if new proof of insurance isn't filed in time.

What affects price and eligibility

Years in business and age of the MC authority
Driver experience, years with a CDL and motor vehicle records (MVRs)
Radius of operation, states operated and garaging address
Commodities hauled and type of equipment (dry van, reefer, flatbed, dump)
Loss history and FMCSA safety data, such as inspections, out-of-service rates and CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) scores
Vehicle values, limits and deductibles

Helpful information for a quote

Have what you can — we'll ask for anything else an insurance company needs. Starting a new business? You can begin without prior policies or loss runs.

USDOT and MC numbers, or your application status if authority is pending
Tractor, truck and trailer list with year, make, VIN and stated values
Driver names and years of CDL experience; dates of birth and CDL numbers only if the insurance company needs to check driving records
Loss runs for the last 3–5 years from prior trucking insurers, if you've been insured before
Commodities hauled with approximate percentages, plus radius of operation
Broker, shipper or lease agreements that list insurance requirements
IFTA fuel-tax reports or mileage records, if available

Start with basic business information. If more detailed driver information is needed, we'll arrange an appropriate way to collect it.

Written by ALP Insurance

Who typically needs it

New ventures applying for, or recently granted, their own MC authority
Owner-operators running under their own USDOT and MC numbers
Small and mid-size fleets hauling dry van, flatbed, reefer or intermodal freight
Dump truck, sand and gravel, and aggregate haulers
Box truck and straight truck carriers hauling freight for others
Intrastate for-hire carriers that need state filings

Talk it through with an agent

Not sure what you need? Start a request and choose "Not sure" — a licensed ALP agent will talk through the options with you.

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Industry guides

Trucking FAQs

Can I get insurance before my MC authority is active?

Yes. Coverage is usually put in place, and your liability filing (typically a BMC-91 or BMC-91X) sent to FMCSA, while your application is pending, because FMCSA needs proof of insurance before it activates your authority. Fewer insurance companies consider new ventures, so complete information for a quote matters.

What is the difference between the MCS-90 and a BMC-91 or BMC-91X?

The MCS-90 is an endorsement attached to your auto liability policy that protects the public; it changes the policy. A BMC-91 or BMC-91X is a filing your insurer sends to FMCSA as proof that you carry the required liability. Many for-hire interstate carriers need both.

Do I need a state filing for intrastate work?

It depends on the state. Some states require their own proof of insurance (for example, a Form E for liability or a Form H for cargo) from carriers operating within the state, and others don't. Requirements vary by state and operation; we'll help you check yours.

I'm leased to a carrier. Do I need my own trucking policy?

Usually not for primary liability, since the motor carrier typically provides it while your truck is used in its business. You will often need non-trucking liability, physical damage for your tractor and possibly occupational accident, depending on your lease.

How much cargo coverage do brokers require?

It varies by broker and load. $100,000 is a common requirement, and higher-value loads may call for more, so check your broker-carrier agreement before you book.

Why do insurance companies look at my FMCSA safety data?

Inspection, crash and out-of-service data give insurance companies a view of your safety practices. A poor record can affect both eligibility and price.