Insurance Requirements for New Trucking Authority
What you need to know after you get your MC number
Congratulations on receiving your FMCSA motor carrier authority. Before you can activate your MC number and begin hauling freight, you must secure the right insurance coverage and file proof with the FMCSA. This page walks you through every requirement — federal and state — so you know exactly what to expect.
East Texas Insurance Agency has helped hundreds of new owner-operators and fleet carriers get properly insured since 1974. We know the requirements, we know the carriers, and we move fast so you can start operating sooner.
FMCSA Minimum Insurance Requirements
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires specific coverage minimums before a carrier can operate under its own authority.
Every motor carrier operating in interstate commerce must carry primary liability insurance that meets or exceeds the FMCSA minimums for their cargo type. These are combined single limit (CSL) amounts — meaning the policy covers both bodily injury and property damage under one limit.
| Cargo Type | Minimum Coverage (CSL) | Filing Type |
|---|---|---|
| General Freight (non-hazmat) | $750,000 | Form BMC-91 |
| Household Goods | $750,000 | Form BMC-91 |
| Oil (petroleum products) | $1,000,000 | Form BMC-91X |
| Other Hazardous Materials | $5,000,000 | Form BMC-91X |
Texas-Specific Requirements
In addition to federal FMCSA requirements, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) imposes its own insurance rules for commercial vehicles.
If your trucking operation includes intrastate routes within Texas, you must meet TxDOT's insurance requirements in addition to federal minimums. Texas requires a $500,000 combined single limit (CSL) for commercial vehicles operating intrastate — lower than the FMCSA minimum for interstate carriers, but still a mandatory threshold for intrastate-only operations.
$500,000 CSL for intrastate carriers — Commercial vehicles operating only within Texas must carry at least $500,000 in combined single limit liability coverage.
Form E filing — Your insurer files Form E with TxDOT as proof of insurance. This is separate from the federal Form E filed with the FMCSA — both may be required depending on your operating authority.
Interstate carriers still comply with FMCSA — If you hold both intrastate and interstate authority, the higher FMCSA minimums apply. Texas requirements do not override federal requirements — they supplement them.
We handle both federal and state filing requirements when we bind your coverage, so you don't have to manage separate filing processes on your own.
Coverage Types New Carriers Often Overlook
Beyond the FMCSA minimum, these coverages protect your equipment, cargo, and income.
Physical Damage
Covers repair or replacement of your truck and trailer after a collision, fire, theft, or weather event. Not required by the FMCSA, but most lenders require it if you finance your equipment.
Learn more about Physical DamageMotor Truck Cargo
Protects the freight you haul against loss or damage while in your possession. Many shippers and brokers require cargo coverage before they will tender loads to your authority.
Learn more about Motor Truck CargoBobtail Liability
Covers liability when you drive your truck without a trailer — for example, heading home after dropping a load or driving to pick up a trailer. Your primary liability policy typically only covers you while under dispatch.
Learn more about Bobtail LiabilityOccupational/Accident Coverage
Provides medical, disability, and death benefits for owner-operators and independent contractors who are not eligible for traditional workers compensation coverage.
Learn more about Occupational/Accident CoverageA Note on Filings
Activating your operating authority requires specific insurance filings with the FMCSA and, if you operate intrastate, with the Texas Department of Transportation. These include the Form E, MCS-90 endorsement, and — for freight brokers — the BMC-91 surety bond.
We provide guidance and referrals for all ICC, TxDOT, and BMC-91 filings. When you bind your policy through us, we coordinate directly with your insurer to get your filings submitted so your authority activates as quickly as possible. If you have questions about your specific filing requirements, give us a call.
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We've helped hundreds of new carriers get the right coverage at the right price. Call us or request a quote — we'll walk you through everything.