FMCSA won’t grant your operating authority until the required insurance is on file. Transportation Risk Specialists helps new motor carriers get primary liability, cargo, and physical damage coverage placed with A-rated carriers and coordinates the insurance filing so your MC number can go active.
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The insurance side of getting your authority
Here’s how insurance fits into the authority process for a for-hire property carrier:
- Get your USDOT number and apply for operating authority (MC number).
- File your BOC-3 (designation of process agents).
- Get your insurance bound. Your insurance company then files proof of your liability coverage with FMCSA, usually on Form BMC-91X.
- Watch the deadline. FMCSA says that if the required insurance filing isn’t made within 20 days of your application’s publication in the FMCSA Register, it will serve a decision notifying you that your application will be dismissed unless you comply within 60 days.
- Authority granted. Once filings are in place and the process is complete, your authority can be granted.
FMCSA is moving registration into its new Motus system during 2026. The insurance requirements are the same; we’ll help you follow the current process.
Federal minimum liability for new authorities
From FMCSA’s insurance filing requirements for motor carriers of property:
| Operation | Minimum BI/PD liability |
|---|---|
| For-hire, non-hazardous freight, vehicle GVWR under 10,001 lbs | $300,000 |
| For-hire, non-hazardous freight, vehicle 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 liability plus $5,000 cargo (BMC-34) |
These are minimums. Many brokers and shippers require $1,000,000 in liability and their own cargo limits before they’ll tender you a load.
What else a new carrier usually needs
- Motor truck cargo — Not federally required for general freight, but brokers almost always ask for it.
- Physical damage — Required by your lender if the truck is financed.
- General liability, trailer interchange, and occupational accident — Depending on your contracts and setup.
What underwriters look for in a new venture
Fewer insurance companies write brand-new authorities, so a complete, well-prepared submission matters. Expect questions about:
- Driver experience. CDL years and experience in the type of equipment you’ll run. This is often the most important factor for a new carrier.
- Prior trucking experience. Time as a company driver or leased-on owner-operator counts.
- Motor vehicle record. Violations and accidents on your MVR.
- Equipment. Year, make, VIN, and value for each truck and trailer.
- Operations. What you’ll haul, your radius, and the states you’ll run.
Your first 18 months: the new entrant period
New motor carriers enter FMCSA’s New Entrant Safety Assurance Program, an 18-month monitoring period that includes a safety audit. Keeping your insurance filing active, your records organized, and your inspections clean during this period helps you on the safety side and at your first insurance renewal.
New authority FAQ
Can I get insurance before my MC number is issued?
Yes. You can start the quote process once you have your USDOT number and have applied for authority. Starting early gives you time to compare options before the filing deadline.
Why are new-authority quotes higher than what I paid as a leased-on driver?
As a new motor carrier, you’re the one carrying primary liability, and you don’t yet have a loss history as a carrier. Fewer markets write new ventures, and underwriters price for that uncertainty. Your driving record and experience make a real difference.
What happens if my insurance cancels after my authority is active?
Your insurance company notifies FMCSA when a filed policy cancels, and your authority can be revoked if replacement coverage isn’t filed. Keep your payments current and call us right away if anything changes.
Starting your authority? Call 205-221-5466 or start your quote with your DOT number.
Source for federal minimums and filing deadlines: FMCSA, “Insurance Filing Requirements” (fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/insurance-filing-requirements).