What they need before they can run
FMCSA grants operating authority only once the carrier’s liability insurance filing (form BMC-91 or BMC-91X, sent by the insurer) and its process agent filing (BOC-3) are on record.
- The federal minimum liability for general freight in trucks over 10,001 lbs is $750,000. Hazardous materials need more.
- Most brokers and shippers ask for $1,000,000 in liability, and many loads require cargo coverage too, often $100,000.
Coverages to quote
- Primary auto liability, with the FMCSA filing
- Motor truck cargo
- Physical damage, required if the truck is financed
- Non-trucking liability (bobtail), for owner-operators leased to another carrier
- Trailer interchange, if they pull trailers they don’t own
- General liability and occupational accident, when asked
The info checklist
Legal name and DBA USDOT and MC numbers Garaging address Owner date of birth, CDL number, state and years licensed Other drivers: same details Trucks: year, make, VIN, value Trailers: type, year, VIN, value What they haul, radius, and states Prior insurance and claims (if any) Lienholder on any equipment Which coverages and limits brokers require
Where to place it
Many standard insurers decline carriers with under one or two years in business. Work with insurers and MGAs that run new-venture programs, and with a wholesaler who places trucking. Expect higher premiums and larger down payments than for established fleets, and set that expectation on the first call.
The fast path
- Collect the full checklist in one call.
- Submit to two or three new-venture markets the same day.
- Bind on the down payment.
- Have the insurer file the BMC-91X with FMCSA, and remind the carrier to file its BOC-3.
- Watch FMCSA’s Licensing & Insurance system until the filing shows. Filings often take a few business days.
- Book the renewal, and offer cargo or physical damage if you didn’t write them.
TruckMorning’s “Applied, no insurance yet” list is these carriers, every morning.