New Authority Trucking Insurance: FMCSA Requirements & Filings
What the FMCSA requires for a new trucking authority, which filings activate it, and how to get covered.
What the FMCSA Requires Before Your Authority Goes Active
To operate in interstate commerce, a for-hire motor carrier has to show the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proof of financial responsibility before the FMCSA will activate its authority. For most general freight operations running vehicles at 10,001 pounds GVWR or more, that means at least $750,000 in auto liability, reported to the FMCSA on Form BMC-91 or BMC-91X. Higher minimum levels of financial responsibility apply to hazardous materials and to passenger carriers.
The rest of this page covers those limits in detail, the filings that report them, how state rules differ, and the coverages most new ventures carry alongside the federal minimum.
New Authority Trucking Insurance for Startups and Owner-Operators
Before you can run your first load, you need coverage in place and the paperwork filed. For most new ventures, the filing is what holds up the start date.
Whether you're an owner-operator applying for your own authority or launching a small fleet, we'll help you get commercial trucking insurance that meets FMCSA standards, and we'll work with the insurance companies to help your filings reach the FMCSA promptly.
Milepost Insurance is a licensed agency, and a Berkshire Hathaway company. The insurance companies we represent are rated A++ (Superior) by A.M. Best, the highest financial-strength rating an insurance company can hold*.
Because our agents aren't paid on commission, the coverage we recommend is the coverage that fits your operation.
What Is New Authority Trucking Insurance?
New authority trucking insurance is commercial truck insurance built for a motor carrier in its first year of operating under its own authority. If you've recently received your motor carrier (MC) number and your USDOT registration, insurers will generally classify you as a "new venture" or a "new authority."
New venture premiums are priced differently than experienced trucking businesses because there's no loss history or operating history (such as USDOT inspections) under your own authority yet. That is not the same as being new to trucking. Plenty of new venture operators have years of CDL experience as leased-on owner-operators or company drivers, and that experience counts. What's new is the business, and the business is what's being priced. Milepost has placed commercial trucking insurance for new authorities since 2017, so we can usually tell you early whether a first-year operation like yours is eligible for coverage with the insurance companies we represent.
FMCSA Insurance Requirements for New Ventures
The FMCSA sets minimum levels of financial responsibility: how much public liability coverage you carry for bodily injury, property damage, and environmental restoration. It requires proof of that coverage on file before your operating authority goes active.
Minimum liability limits under 49 CFR Part 387 (as of August 2026)
- For-hire, non-hazardous freight, GVWR 10,001 lbs or more: $750,000
- Oil, hazardous waste, and other hazardous materials, GVWR 10,001 lbs or more: $1,000,000
- Explosives, poison gas, and highway route controlled radioactive materials: $5,000,000
- Explosives and certain radioactive materials, GVWR under 10,001 lbs: $5,000,000
- Passenger carriers, 15 or fewer passengers: $1,500,000
- Passenger carriers, 16 or more passengers: $5,000,000
These are the categories that apply to most operations. Other classes of freight carry their own minimums under 49 CFR Part 387, and the federal property-carrier minimums are written around vehicles at 10,001 pounds GVWR or more. If you run lighter equipment, your state, your brokers, and your contracts generally still set requirements, so it is worth talking to your insurance agent about what requirements apply to you.
One note on the $750,000 figure. Most freight brokers and shippers won't tender you a load at less than $1 million in auto liability, and a serious injury claim can move past a low limit quickly. We generally suggest new ventures carry at least $1 million of commercial auto liability coverage, even when the federal minimum might be lower.
Does the FMCSA require cargo insurance?
Generally, cargo insurance isn't federally required for standard freight. Motor truck cargo insurance isn't mandated for most operations. In practice you'll still need it, because brokers and load boards typically ask for at least $100,000 in cargo coverage before they'll work with you.
There is one exception. A household goods motor carrier must file cargo coverage of $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per occurrence on Form BMC-34 or BMC-83.
Who has to meet FMCSA requirements?
The federal minimums generally apply to for-hire motor carriers operating in interstate commerce. If you run only inside one state, your state's requirements likely apply instead, and those can differ. Freight brokers and freight forwarders fall under a separate rule. They post a $75,000 surety bond or trust fund on Form BMC-84 or BMC-85 rather than filing vehicle liability coverage.
FMCSA Filings: BMC-91, BMC-91X, MCS-90, and BOC-3
Your insurance company must report your insurance filings to the FMCSA on the correct form. Here are the filings new authorities ask about most. Depending on your operation and the states you run in, you may need others.
- BMC-91 and BMC-91X: These are the forms that report your proof of financial responsibility to the FMCSA. Your insurance company makes these filing. The BMC-91 applies when you have a single insurance policy for auto liability coverage, The BMC-91X is the version used when coverage is layered across more than one policy or backed by a surety bond.
- State Form-E and OS-32 filings: Several states require their own proof of coverage for intrastate operations, which is typically handled on a Form-E filing that your insurance company submits to the state(s). If you plan to haul oversized or overweight loads in Ohio, your insurance company will typically file an OS-32 filing.
- BMC-34 or BMC-83: These are the cargo filings that are generally required only for household goods movers.
- MCS-90 endorsement: The MCS-90 is not a filing. It is an endorsement attached to your commercial auto liability policy. It isn't extra coverage for you. It protects the public: if a final judgment is entered against you on a claim that is otherwise not covered under your policy, the insurance company still pays the injured party up to the federal minimum, and it can then seek reimbursement from you. Every for-hire interstate motor carrier generally needs an MCS-90 endorsed onto their commercial auto policy.
- BOC-3: This form names a process agent (someone legally authorized to receive court papers for you) in each state where you operate. The BOC-3 is filed by the process agent. It isn't insurance, so it isn't filed by your insurance company or your agency. Process agents are sometimes referred to as “blanket agent” or “blanket companies”. Many compliance and permitting services, as well as some associations (such as the American Trucking Association) also serve as process agents. Although the BOC-3 is not an insurance filing, it is on this list because a missing or delayed BOC-3 can stall your authority the same way a missing insurance filing can.
Once your policy is approved by underwriting, your insurance company typically submits the federal and state filings within 24 hours. Milepost works closely with the insurance company to help ensure your insurance filings don't become the reason your truck is sitting.
Federal (FMCSA) vs. State Insurance Requirements
The FMCSA minimums apply to interstate operations. If you're hauling only within one state, that state sets your minimum, and a handful of states set their minimums above the federal level. If you cross state lines, even occasionally, plan on meeting the federal requirement.
When federal and state rules both apply, you’ll want to know which one has the higher limit requirements so that you can set up your insurance coverage to at least match the higher limit. It's worth confirming which limits apply to your operation before purchasing a policy, because raising a coverage limit mid-term can be more disruptive than starting with the correct limits.
Coverage Types You'll Need
These are the coverages most new motor carriers look at. Not every operation needs all of them, and our non-commissioned agents will walk you through which ones apply to your business.
- Primary Auto Liability: Covers bodily injury and property damage when you're at fault. This is the coverage the FMCSA requires. Your federal filing reports at least the federal minimum, though your actual policy limit can be higher than the amount posted on the filing.
- Motor Truck Cargo: Covers the freight you haul against things like damage and theft. Limits and exclusions vary by commodity.
- Physical Damage Coverage: Collision and comprehensive coverage pay to repair or replace your tractor and trailer after a covered incident occurs. Lenders and lessors usually require it when equipment is financed or leased.
- Non-Trucking Liability: Covers you when you're driving the truck off dispatch, for personal use. This is generally built for owner-operators leased on to a motor carrier. If you're running under your own authority and you purchase primary auto liability, you probably don't need non-trucking liability, because your primary coverage should apply at all times.
- Trailer Interchange: Covers damage to trailers you don't own but pull under an interchange agreement.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Responds when the at-fault driver has no coverage, or not enough of it.
- Medical Payments: Pays medical costs for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of fault.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Some states require PIP, and it generally covers more than medical payments does.
- General Liability Insurance: Helps cover certain business claims that don't come from ownership, maintenance, or use of the vehicle. It includes things like someone getting hurt at the shop or lot where you keep your truck.
- Workers' Compensation Insurance: Workers' compensation helps pay medical costs and lost wages when an employee is hurt on the job. If you have no employees, you likely don't need it.
- Occupational Accident: Some owner-operators carry occupational accident coverage instead of workers' compensation. It works differently, so it is worth talking through with an agent.
- Downtime Coverage: Reimburses lost income while your truck is out of service on a covered claim.
- Rental Reimbursement: Helps pay for a temporary replacement vehicle during repairs.
Each policy can be built around your commodity, operating radius, number of vehicles, and experience, among other factors. These are among the coverages new ventures ask about most, not a complete list.
Tips for New Ventures Shopping for Insurance
These are among the things new ventures find most useful to sort out early.
- Start getting an insurance quote early and understand the filing sequence. You can get quoted before you purchase a truck and prior to your authority being granted, but insurance companies will almost never make a filing until you've purchased a policy that includes the vehicle(s) you plan to operate. Some insurers may not make a filing until the policy has passed underwriting. Getting an insurance quote early keeps that sequence from stalling your MC number.
- Know your commodity. Hauling hazmat, reefer, or high-value freight often changes both your required limits and the underwriting you'll face.
- Bring your CDL experience. Years behind the wheel, your driving history, and any prior losses are among the factors insurers weigh most on a new venture. A clean, loss-free driving record can help you get a lower rate on your new venture authority.
- Ask which factors move your premium. Deductibles, operating radius, and equipment values are among the factors that affect premium the most. Raising a physical damage deductible is often one of the simpler ways to lower your premium.
- Ask about safety credits. Some insurers offer them for things like dash cams, ELD compliance, and formal driver qualification files. A dash cam can change how a disputed claim gets resolved.
- Prepare for your new entrant safety audit. The FMCSA usually reviews new motor carriers within their first year, and the safety data attached to your DOT number follows you into future renewals.
- Get your certificate of insurance sorted early. If you've ever watched a good load go to someone else while you waited on paperwork, you know what a slow certificate costs. If you buy your policy through Milepost, the insurance companies we represent let you generate a certificate of insurance online, any time of day.
- Ask about filings and claims, not just price. Before you purchase coverage, ask who makes your filings, how quickly they are typically processed, and how claims service works.
Why Choose Milepost Insurance
These are among the reasons new ventures place their coverage with us.
- A Berkshire Hathaway company. Milepost is a licensed insurance agency that places commercial vehicle insurance, along with other coverages your operation may need. The insurance companies we represent are rated A++ (Superior) by A.M. Best, the highest financial-strength rating an insurance company can hold*.
- Non-commissioned agents. Our agents aren't paid on commission, so the advice you get is guided by what fits your operation.
- Timely insurance filings. We work closely with the insurance companies to help make sure your BMC-91, BMC-91X, Form E, and Ohio OS-32 filings get processed on time. Insurance companies typically submit filings within 24 hours of your policy being approved by underwriting.
- Quotes in about 15 minutes. For most businesses we can quote a custom truck policy in about 15 minutes. Get your quote and purchase coverage online 24/7, or call during business hours to get your quote by phone.
- Self-service certificates. The insurance companies we represent let you generate a COI for a broker, shipper, or load board any time, day or night.
- Claims service around the clock. Claims are handled by the insurance companies we represent, which offer service 24 hours a day.
- Zero-interest payment plans. We can set up payment plans that carry no interest, which helps when startup cash flow is tight.
Get your quote online, or call our non-commissioned agents during business hours to talk it through.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About New Venture Trucking Insurance
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How much does insurance cost for a new authority?
There are no set prices for new venture trucking businesses, and premiums vary widely depending on things like where the business is based, your CDL experience, the commodity you haul, your operating radius, and the number of vehicles. Since the price each business pays for insurance is based on its own unique characteristics, we strongly prefer to quote the actual premium of your operation rather than publish a premium estimate.
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What are the FMCSA minimum insurance requirements?
For most for-hire carriers hauling non-hazardous freight in vehicles at 10,001 pounds GVWR or more, the federal minimum is $750,000 in public liability. It rises to $1 million for certain hazardous materials and $5 million for explosives, poison gas, and radioactive materials. Passenger carriers have their own filing limit criteria and amounts.
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What is a BMC-91 filing?
The BMC-91 is the form your insurance company files with the FMCSA to report that you carry the required coverage. The BMC-91X is used when that coverage is spread across more than one policy or backed by a surety bond. Your authority generally won't go active until one of them is on file.
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Is the MCS-90 the same as a BMC-91?
No. The BMC-91 is a filing that reports your coverage to the FMCSA. The MCS-90 is an endorsement attached to your policy. It isn't extra coverage for you: it protects the public by having the insurance company pay a final judgment against you up to the federal minimum, even in situations your policy might not otherwise cover, and the insurance company can then seek reimbursement from you.
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Can I get insurance with less than 2 years of CDL experience?
Yes, in most cases, though rates are usually higher. Many new venture operators come in with several years of CDL experience from running leased-on or as a company driver, and that experience counts in your favor.
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Do I need insurance before my authority is active?
Yes, in most cases. The FMCSA generally requires proof of financial responsibility on file before it grants operating authority. Starting the insurance conversation early is one of the simplest ways to avoid a delay.
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How fast can I get insured?
Often the same day. Many new venture customers get a quote and purchase coverage online in a single session on their first attempt. Filings follow once the insurance company has approved the policy, typically within 24 hours.
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Does the FMCSA require cargo insurance?
Generally, no, not for standard freight. Cargo coverage isn't federally mandated for most operations, but brokers commonly require at least $100,000 before they'll tender a load. Household goods motor carriers are the exception. They must file $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per occurrence.
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What if I haul hazardous materials?
Hazardous materials generally carry higher federal minimum limits. Hazmat and other specialized commodities also often face stricter underwriting. We'll help ensure your policy and filings match the commodities you plan to haul.
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What's the difference between general liability and auto liability?
Auto liability covers accidents arising from the ownership, maintenance, or use of a vehicle on your policy. General liability insurance helps cover certain business claims that don't come from maintaining, operating, or using the vehicle.
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Can I change my coverage later?
Yes, in most cases. As your trucking business grows, we can add vehicles, raise limits, or expand coverage. Keep in mind that rapid growth of vehicles or drivers, or other significant changes in the first year of operating can create more risk for your business, which is why several insurance companies enforce growth restrictions on businesses that are just starting out.
Get a quote today
Get started on a custom commercial auto quote online, or call 1(844)380.6009 to speak with one of our friendly insurance agents during office hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm CT