For-Hire Trucking Liability Insurance Requirements
For-hire motor carriers must maintain specific levels of liability insurance on file with the FMCSA to operate legally. These requirements vary based on the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle and the nature of the cargo being transported. An MC number, also known as a docket number, is the operating authority granted by FMCSA to a for-hire motor carrier. A USDOT number identifies a carrier for safety and registration records.
Minimum Liability Coverage by Cargo and Vehicle Type
According to FMCSA's insurance requirements page (49 CFR 387.303), the minimum bodily injury and property damage (BIPD) liability coverage is as follows:
- Non-hazardous property (GVWR under 10,001 pounds): A for-hire carrier of non-hazardous property in a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating under 10,001 pounds must carry $300,000 of BIPD liability coverage.
- Non-hazardous property (GVWR 10,001 pounds or more): A for-hire carrier of non-hazardous property in a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more must carry $750,000 of BIPD coverage.
- Certain hazardous materials: For-hire carriers of certain hazardous materials must carry $1,000,000 of BIPD coverage.
- Explosives, poison gas, or radioactive materials: For-hire and private carriers of explosives, poison gas, or radioactive materials must carry $5,000,000 of BIPD coverage.
- Household goods (GVWR 10,001 pounds or more): For-hire carriers of household goods in vehicles of 10,001 pounds or more must carry $750,000 of BIPD coverage and $5,000 of cargo coverage.
Required Filing Forms
To demonstrate compliance with these insurance requirements, carriers must file specific forms with FMCSA:
- The filing forms for BIPD coverage are BMC-91, BMC-91X, or BMC-82.
- For-hire carriers of household goods in vehicles of 10,001 pounds or more use forms BMC-91, BMC-91X, or BMC-82, plus BMC-34 or BMC-83 for cargo coverage.
- All for-hire and interstate motor carriers need an MCS-90 endorsement on their policy, or an MCS-82 if they use a surety bond.
Maintaining Operating Authority
A for-hire carrier must keep required liability insurance on file with FMCSA. When an insurer cancels coverage or the filing lapses, FMCSA can initiate a suspension of the carrier's operating authority. A carrier that receives a suspension notice typically has until the stated deadline to get a valid insurance filing recorded. If the filing is not updated by the deadline, FMCSA will suspend or revoke the operating authority.
Insurance agents, brokers, and shippers can check a carrier's authority and insurance-filing status for free in FMCSA public records. TruckMorning processes FMCSA public records into a daily list of carriers that have undergone changes (such as new registrations, cancellations, renewals, or suspension warnings) for insurance agents, as of 2026-11-04.
Source: FMCSA insurance requirements