Primary auto liability pays for bodily injury and property damage your truck causes to other people. It’s the coverage FMCSA requires before your operating authority goes active, and the coverage your brokers and shippers check first. Transportation Risk Specialists places primary liability for owner-operators and fleets with A-rated carriers and coordinates the federal filing.
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FMCSA minimum liability limits
Federal minimums depend on what you haul and the size of the vehicle. From FMCSA’s insurance filing requirements for motor carriers of property:
| Operation | Minimum BI/PD liability |
|---|---|
| For-hire, non-hazardous freight, GVWR under 10,001 lbs | $300,000 |
| For-hire, non-hazardous freight, GVWR 10,001 lbs or more | $750,000 |
| For-hire carriers of certain hazardous materials | $1,000,000 |
| For-hire and private carriers of explosives, poison gas, or radioactive materials | $5,000,000 |
| For-hire carriers of household goods, GVWR 10,001 lbs or more | $750,000 |
For most general-freight tractor-trailer operations, the federal minimum is $750,000.
Why brokers and shippers ask for $1,000,000
The federal minimum is what keeps your authority active. Your customers set their own requirements, and many broker-carrier agreements and shipper contracts call for $1,000,000 in auto liability. Some contracts require more, which is usually handled with umbrella or excess coverage. Before you bind, check your agreements. We’ll match the limit to the contracts you need to keep.
How the filing works: BMC-91X and MCS-90
- BMC-91X (or BMC-91). Your insurance company files this form with FMCSA as proof that you carry the required liability. You don’t file it yourself. We coordinate with the carrier to make sure the filing goes in under the exact legal name and DOT/MC numbers FMCSA has for you.
- MCS-90 endorsement. Attached to the liability policy for for-hire and interstate carriers. It guarantees the public is protected up to the federal minimum even in some situations the policy itself might not cover. If the insurer pays a claim under the MCS-90 that the policy wouldn’t otherwise cover, the insurer can seek reimbursement from the motor carrier, so it’s not a substitute for the right coverage.
If a filed policy cancels, the insurer notifies FMCSA and your authority is at risk. Keep payments current and call us before any change.
What primary liability covers and doesn’t
Generally covers:
- Injuries to other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians caused by your covered trucks
- Damage to other people’s vehicles and property
- Legal defense costs for covered claims, according to the policy terms
Generally doesn’t cover:
- Damage to your own truck or trailer (that’s physical damage)
- The freight you’re hauling (that’s motor truck cargo)
- Injuries to your own employees (that’s workers’ compensation)
- Use of the truck outside the policy’s covered operations, such as a leased-on owner-operator off dispatch (that’s non-trucking liability or bobtail)
Common gaps we look for
- Unscheduled units or drivers. Many truck policies cover only listed vehicles and approved drivers. A truck or driver that isn’t on the policy can mean a denied claim.
- Radius or territory limits. A policy rated for a short radius may not fit a truck that now runs long-haul.
- Contract mismatches. Additional insured, waiver of subrogation, or primary and noncontributory wording that a contract requires but the policy doesn’t include.
- Name mismatches. The insured name on the policy should match your FMCSA registration exactly.
Primary auto liability FAQ
Is $750,000 enough?
It meets the federal minimum for most general-freight carriers. Whether it’s enough depends on your contracts and your own risk tolerance. Many brokers require $1,000,000, and serious crashes can produce claims above either amount.
Do I need liability if I’m leased on to another carrier?
The motor carrier you’re leased to typically provides primary liability while you’re under its dispatch. You’ll usually need non-trucking liability or bobtail for other times. See owner-operator insurance.
How long does it take for my filing to show on FMCSA’s site?
After the policy is bound, the insurance company files electronically. How quickly it shows depends on the carrier’s processing and FMCSA’s system, so bind early if you have a deadline.
Need liability or a new filing? Call 205-221-5466 or start your quote with your DOT number.
Federal minimums source: FMCSA, “Insurance Filing Requirements” (fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/insurance-filing-requirements). Coverage descriptions are general; actual coverage depends on the policy issued.