Helping You Meet Your FMCSA Insurance Requirements

If you are planning to operate as a for-hire motor carrier — whether it is transporting passengers or federally regulated freight — you will need more than just a commercial vehicle and a CDL. You will also need to meet the insurance requirements set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to obtain operating authority and to remain compliant.

Fortunately, Drivers Legal Plan® is here to help you meet your FMCSA insurance requirements. Here are some of the essentials that you need to know.

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Primary Liability Insurance Is the Foundation for FMCSA Coverage

Obtaining liability insurance is your first step toward meeting your FMCSA insurance obligations. You must have primary liability insurance before the FMCSA will issue your Motor Carrier (MC) number. This policy covers bodily injury, property damage, and environmental cleanup resulting from accidents involving any of your vehicles.

In order to meet the minimum required coverage for liability insurance, you must have:

$750,000 for general freight haulers
Up to $5 million for vehicles hauling hazardous materials, passengers, or operating under other high-risk conditions

Once your policy is in place, your liability insurance provider must submit proof of coverage to the FMCSA using specific forms (more on that below)

Cargo Insurance: Here’s What You Need to Know

While cargo insurance is not required for all carriers, it is mandatory if you are hauling household goods.

The minimum required coverage for cargo insurance is:

$5,000 per vehicle
$10,000 per occurrence

Even if you are not transporting household goods, carrying cargo insurance is strongly recommended. In fact, it may be vital to your business. Many shippers and brokers will not do business with carriers who do not have it. It also provides protection in the event of damage or cargo loss.

Required Forms for Your Operating Authority

After you have submitted your FMCSA application and the $300 fee, your insurance provider must file several important documents on your behalf. These include:

BMC-91: This is your proof of liability insurance.
BOC-3: Designates a process agent for legal service in each state you operate.
MCS-90: This is a public financial responsibility endorsement for motor carriers.

Please note that your operating authority will not be granted until these forms are received. Without them, you cannot legally cross state lines or haul regulated freight.

More Than Coverage: Why Insurance Matters to Your Business

Meeting the insurance requirements set by the FMCSA is more than just checking your regulatory boxes. Think of it as a key part of your risk management strategy.

Without proper insurance coverage, a single accident or compliance violation can result in:

Lawsuits and liability exposure
Out-of-service orders
Lost business opportunities
Poor CSA scores and higher insurance premiums

Insurance is essential to protect your fleet and your business reputation. Your insurance premiums are an investment in your financial future.

Legal Protection Is Just as Important as Vehicle Protection

While insurance helps you cover your liabilities after a crash, it will not protect you from tickets, violations, or regulatory issues that could impact your CDL or safety score. This is where Drivers Legal Plan® can help.

For a low monthly fee, you get direct access to experienced attorneys who specialize in CDL defense, DOT compliance, and DataQ disputes. If a violation threatens your CSA score or your driver's ability to stay on the road, we are ready to defend you — 24/7 — nationwide.

Keep Your Business Moving by Staying Covered and Compliant

Don't let insurance or legal compliance issues put the brakes on your business. With the right insurance coverage in place and with Drivers Legal Plan® as your partner, you can operate with confidence, knowing you are protected. Stay compliant. Stay covered. And stay in business.