Understand Your Coverage Before You Buy It

It depends on whether the owner-operator runs under their own authority or leases to another motor carrier. An owner-operator under their own authority typically needs primary auto liability and may need cargo, physical damage, general liability, and other coverage based on contracts and operations. A leased owner-operator should review the lease and the motor carrier's policy before buying separate coverage.

$750,000 is FMCSA's listed minimum for many non-hazardous for-hire property carriers operating vehicles at 10,001 lbs. GVWR or more. Freight brokers, shippers, states, or contracts may require $1,000,000 or more.

FMCSA's current filing chart lists no federal cargo filing requirement for general for-hire property carriers. It does list cargo requirements for for-hire household-goods carriers and certain freight forwarders. Even when FMCSA does not require it, a broker, shipper, or contract may require motor truck cargo insurance.

Physical damage is generally optional when there is no lender or lease requirement, but going without it means the business may have to absorb the cost of repairing or replacing its own truck after a loss that would otherwise have been covered.

Yes. Some insurance companies write new ventures and others require prior business or insurance history. Availability and price depend on the drivers, equipment, cargo, radius, state, limits, and other underwriting information.

A straightforward submission may receive indications quickly, while fleets, specialized operations, or incomplete applications can take longer. Accurate driver, equipment, loss, and operation information helps prevent delays.

Coverage may still be available, but violations, accidents, or a DUI can reduce the number of insurance companies willing to quote and increase the premium. The result depends on the type, severity, and age of the incident, the driver's experience, and the rest of the account.

It is not federally required for most trucking operations, but it is worth pricing when you run multiple trucks, haul higher-value freight, or have contracts requiring limits above the primary policy. The umbrella or excess policy must be reviewed with the underlying coverage because terms and attachment requirements vary.

Some commercial policies are auditable because the final exposure may depend on actual payroll, revenue, mileage, drivers, or units. The policy and audit basis determine what records are requested and whether additional or return premium is due.

No. The MCS-90 is an endorsement attached to the motor carrier's liability policy. The insurer or authorized filer submits the applicable BMC-91 or BMC-91X proof of coverage electronically to FMCSA.