Protect your truck and fleet with confidence

Under FMCSA regulations (49 CFR Part 387), for-hire carriers transporting non-hazardous general freight weighing 10,001 lbs GVWR or more must carry a minimum of $750,000 in primary liability insurance. All interstate carriers must meet this federal minimum. Carriers transporting hazardous materials face higher minimums: $1,000,000 for oil and certain hazardous materials, and $5,000,000 for explosives and poison gases. Most freight brokers and shippers require $1,000,000 minimum as a condition of dispatch, regardless of the federal floor.

The MCS-90 is a mandatory endorsement to your primary liability policy required by the FMCSA (49 CFR Part 387.15) for all for-hire interstate carriers. It is not additional coverage — it is a guarantee to the public that minimum FMCSA liability requirements are met. Your insurance carrier files the MCS-90 with FMCSA as part of your operating authority. If your operating authority requires an MCS-90 and your policy lapses, FMCSA can suspend your operating authority.

To receive and maintain FMCSA operating authority, you must file proof of insurance meeting the minimum requirements for your operation type: $750,000 primary liability for general freight (Form BMC-91 or MCS-90 endorsement). You must also file cargo insurance if you are a property broker or freight forwarder. The insurance must be active at the time of filing and remain active to keep your operating authority in good standing. Polaris Insurance Group can issue the required filings and certificates same-day in most cases.

Non-trucking liability (often called bobtail insurance) covers you when you are driving your truck for personal use or when not under dispatch. If you operate under a permanent lease to a motor carrier, their primary liability covers you while under dispatch — but not when you are driving for personal reasons or between loads without a dispatch. Bobtail insurance fills this gap. Premiums are typically $30–$60/month and it is essential for leased owner-operators.

Annual premiums vary significantly based on operation type, driving history, equipment value, and cargo. Rough national ranges: owner-operator dry van $8,000–$16,000/year; small fleet (3–5 trucks) $25,000–$60,000/year; mid-size fleet (10–20 trucks) $90,000–$200,000+/year. Hazmat operations typically run 20–40% above standard rates. Working with an independent agency like Polaris Insurance Group — appointed with AIG, Northland, Progressive, Travelers, Zurich, and Berkley Prime — allows you to compare rates across the market annually.