New authority trucking insurance requirements
A new for-hire trucking company needs a liability (BIPD) filing on record with FMCSA before its operating authority is granted: at least $750,000 for general freight in vehicles of 10,001 lbs or more, more for oil and hazardous materials. The insurer files it electronically on Form BMC-91 or BMC-91X, and the carrier also needs a BOC-3 process-agent filing. Until both are on file, FMCSA won't grant the authority.
Minimum liability coverage for new authorities
The minimum depends on what the carrier hauls and the vehicle's weight rating. The last column counts new authority applications and grants in CarrierDaily's FMCSA data over 30 feed days by the minimum FMCSA had on record.
| Minimum | Applies to | New authorities |
|---|---|---|
| $750,000 | Property, for hire, vehicles 10,001 lbs or more, nonhazardous (49 CFR 387.9) | 10,794 |
| $300,000 | Property, for hire, vehicles under 10,001 lbs, nonhazardous (FMCSA minimum on file) | 2,033 |
| $1,000,000 | Oil, hazardous waste and other hazardous materials not in the $5M class (49 CFR 387.9) | 862 |
| $1,500,000 | Passengers, vehicles with 15 or fewer seats including the driver (49 CFR 387.33) | 110 |
| $5,000,000 | Certain hazardous materials in bulk and high-risk loads (49 CFR 387.9) | 81 |
Freight brokers don't file BIPD; they file a $75,000 surety bond (BMC-84) or trust (BMC-85). Cargo insurance filings (BMC-34) are required only for household goods carriers. Many shippers and brokers still require cargo coverage by contract.
The filings, form by form
- BMC-91 and BMC-91X: the insurer's certificate that the carrier carries at least the required BIPD limit. The insurer files it electronically; the carrier doesn't. BMC-91X is used when the limit is built from more than one policy or layer.
- BOC-3: designates a process agent in each state. Usually filed by a process-agent company on the carrier's behalf.
- BMC-34: cargo liability, for household goods carriers.
- BMC-84 / BMC-85: the broker's surety bond or trust fund agreement.
- BMC-35: the insurer's notice that it is cancelling the filing. See BMC-35 cancellations.
Every new FMCSA applicant, scored and flagged by whether insurance is on file, the same morning FMCSA publishes it. $79/month, every state, every business day.
Paid plans add phone and email from FMCSA filings where available.
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From application to grant: the timeline
- The carrier applies for authority and gets a docket number (MC, FF or MX).
- FMCSA publishes the application in its Register, which opens a protest window.
- The insurer files the BMC-91 or BMC-91X and a process agent files the BOC-3.
- FMCSA grants the authority once the filings are on record and the protest window has passed.
Measured, not estimated: across 1,999 new authorities in our data, the median gap between Register publication and grant was 14 days, and half fell between 12 and 14 days. A carrier whose insurer files late waits longer.
When FMCSA published them, 71% of applicants still had no liability filing on file and 55% had a BOC-3.
What it means for agents
The weeks between application and grant are the window. The carrier has to buy a policy to get its authority, and the filing shows up in FMCSA data the day the insurer posts it, so you can see who still needs one. CarrierDaily flags every new applicant by whether a BIPD filing is on file, so you start with the companies that still need one. See how to find new trucking companies and the new authority call playbook.
Questions
What is the minimum insurance for a new trucking authority?
For a for-hire carrier hauling nonhazardous freight in vehicles of 10,001 lbs or more, $750,000 in bodily injury and property damage liability (49 CFR 387.9). Oil and many hazardous materials require $1,000,000, and certain bulk hazardous materials $5,000,000.
Who files the BMC-91X?
The insurance company files it electronically with FMCSA. The carrier can't file it themselves.
Does a new authority need cargo insurance?
FMCSA requires a cargo filing (BMC-34) only for household goods carriers. Most shippers and brokers require cargo coverage by contract anyway.
How long after the insurance filing is authority granted?
In CarrierDaily's data the median gap between FMCSA Register publication and grant was 14 days. Authority isn't granted until the liability filing and the BOC-3 are on record.
Every new FMCSA applicant, scored and flagged by whether insurance is on file, the same morning FMCSA publishes it. $79/month, every state, every business day.
Paid plans add phone and email from FMCSA filings where available.
Start your 7-day free trial Download a free sample (no email)
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Related guides
- How to find new trucking companies before they buy insurance
- BMC-35 trucking insurance cancellations: a guide for agents
- Trucking insurance X-dates from FMCSA filings
Sources and method. CarrierDaily analysis of public FMCSA data, Sep 22 to Oct 22 (30 feed days). Companies, not events: a published application already counted when filed is counted once. Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data published on data.transportation.gov. CarrierDaily is not affiliated with or endorsed by FMCSA or the U.S. Department of Transportation.