If you operate a commercial truck in interstate commerce, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets minimum insurance you must carry to keep your authority active and stay legal. Miss a filing or fall below a limit and you can lose your operating authority. Here's what the rules require, in plain English.
Who Has to Comply
FMCSA insurance rules apply to motor carriers operating in interstate commerce — crossing state lines, or hauling freight that's part of an interstate shipment. If you have a USDOT number and an MC (operating authority) number, these requirements apply to you. Carriers running purely intrastate also have to meet their own state's minimums, which can differ.
Minimum Liability Limits
The required minimum public liability (bodily injury and property damage) depends on what you haul and the weight of your vehicle:
| What you haul | Minimum liability required |
|---|---|
| Non-hazardous freight (vehicles over 10,001 lbs) | $750,000 |
| General freight (most carriers carry) | $1,000,000 (common industry standard) |
| Oil / certain hazardous materials | $1,000,000 |
| Other hazardous materials / explosives | $5,000,000 |
| Household goods movers | $300,000 – $750,000 depending on vehicle |
Important: these are legal minimums, not safe limits. Most shippers and brokers require at least $1,000,000 in liability before they'll give you a load, and in today's litigation environment a $750,000 policy can leave you dangerously exposed. See our guide on nuclear verdicts and why limits matter.
The MCS-90 Endorsement
The MCS-90 is a federally mandated endorsement attached to your liability policy. It's a public-protection guarantee: it ensures that injured members of the public are paid up to the required minimum even if your policy would not otherwise cover the loss. If the insurer pays under the MCS-90 for something your policy didn't actually cover, you are obligated to pay them back. In short — the MCS-90 protects the public, not you, so it's not a substitute for carrying proper coverage.
Cargo Insurance
FMCSA historically required $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per occurrence of cargo insurance for household goods carriers. For general freight, cargo coverage usually isn't federally mandated — but your shippers and brokers will almost always require it, commonly $100,000 in cargo coverage. The right amount depends on the value of what you haul; a reefer load of pharmaceuticals needs far more than a flatbed of lumber.
The Federal Filings You Need
Carrying coverage isn't enough — your insurer has to file proof with FMCSA on your behalf:
- BMC-91 or BMC-91X: proof of public liability (bodily injury and property damage) insurance. This is the filing that keeps your operating authority active.
- BMC-34: proof of cargo insurance, required for household goods carriers.
- BMC-84 or BMC-85: the $75,000 surety bond or trust fund required for freight brokers and forwarders (not for asset-based carriers, but worth knowing if you broker loads too).
Your insurance broker coordinates these filings with your carrier. If a filing lapses, FMCSA can revoke your authority — so it's critical they're handled correctly and on time.
What Happens If You Fall Out of Compliance
If your insurance is cancelled or a required filing lapses, FMCSA is notified automatically. You'll get a window to cure the lapse, but if you don't, your operating authority is revoked and you're legally grounded. Re-establishing authority is slow and expensive — which is exactly why you don't want to let coverage lapse, and why we start shopping renewals well before your expiration date.
Bottom Line
FMCSA sets the floor: the right liability limit for your cargo, an MCS-90 endorsement, cargo coverage where required, and active BMC filings. Meeting the minimum keeps you legal — but smart trucking companies carry more than the minimum to protect the business they've built. A trucking-focused broker makes sure your coverage and filings are dialed in so you never get a surprise compliance letter.
Make Sure You're Properly Covered
We make sure your limits meet FMCSA rules and your shippers' requirements. Submit your DOT number and best contact method — Andrew will review your operation and follow up with next steps.