Key takeaways
- Insurance does not move with the company. In a TruckBiz deal, the seller’s policy is cancelled at handover. You put your own policy and FMCSA filing in place, with no gap.
- The federal minimum for most general freight is $750,000 in liability coverage. This applies to for-hire, interstate, non-hazardous freight in vehicles of 10,001 lbs or more. It is a legal minimum, not a recommendation.
- Your insurer files the proof with FMCSA (Form BMC-91 or BMC-91X). You do not file it yourself.
- A filing cannot be cancelled until 30 days after FMCSA gets written notice.
- If coverage lapses, FMCSA can revoke the authority. Plan the start of your own filing so there is no gap.
Words to know
- Filing — the insurer’s proof of coverage, sent to FMCSA.
- BMC-91 / BMC-91X — the forms an insurer uses to file liability coverage.
- BMC-35 — the insurer’s notice to FMCSA that it is cancelling a filing.
- MCS-90 — a federal endorsement (add-on) to the policy that serves as proof of coverage.
- Lapse — a gap when no accepted filing is on file.
The federal minimums
FMCSA sets minimum levels of liability insurance (coverage for damage or injury you cause to others).
| What you haul | Federal minimum |
|---|---|
| General freight (non-hazardous), for hire, interstate, vehicles 10,001 lbs or more | $750,000 |
| General freight, for hire, fleet with only vehicles under 10,001 lbs | $300,000 |
| Listed oil and hazardous materials | $1,000,000 |
| Listed bulk hazardous materials | $5,000,000 |
These are the least the law allows. Your real needs, and what shippers or brokers ask for, are a question for your own insurance agent. No carrier may operate until the required insurance is in effect. Proof of coverage — usually the MCS-90 endorsement (a federal add-on to the policy) — must be kept at the company’s principal place of business.
Who files the insurance with FMCSA
Your insurer files it, not you.
- Form BMC-91 or BMC-91X is the insurer’s proof of liability coverage.
- Form BMC-34 is filed for cargo coverage where it is required.
- Insurers can file these forms electronically.
Authority depends on the filing. A carrier’s authority does not stay in force unless the insurance filing is on file with FMCSA and accepted.
The 30-day cancellation notice
An insurer cannot cancel its FMCSA filing right away. The filing stays in place until 30 days after FMCSA gets written notice. For insurance, the notice is Form BMC-35. If a new insurer files a replacement, the old insurer’s duty ends on the date the new filing starts.
What happens if coverage lapses
By law, FMCSA may suspend a carrier’s registration if it does not keep the required insurance. FMCSA has described this as a “33 day process.”
How FMCSA described it (March 2026):
- The insurer sends FMCSA its 30-day cancellation notice.
- About 3 days after that notice arrives, FMCSA sends the carrier a first notice.
- If the carrier is still not covered after 30 days, FMCSA moves to revoke the authority.
This is FMCSA’s stated procedure from before Motus, not a rule in the CFR. Check the current steps with FMCSA.
What a TruckBiz listing shows about insurance
- The insurance filing record. From Motus (FMCSA’s registration system), a listing shows the authority and filing history and the insurance filings, including the liability amount on file.
- No insurer name. Public listings do not show the company’s insurer.
- Fresh data, with a caveat. Federal data on listings is refreshed nightly from FMCSA records, which can lag. Always check the live L&I record yourself before you pay.
A clean history does not mean your own price will be the same. Your own insurance quote depends on your drivers and your operation.
What you do as the new owner
- Talk to an insurance agent early. Start before the deal closes.
- Get your own policy for the company. The seller’s policy does not come with it.
- Have your insurer file BMC-91 or BMC-91X for the company. The filing must be for the company you bought, under its USDOT and MC.
- Plan the dates so there is no gap. A lapse can start FMCSA’s revocation process.
- Do not run until your coverage is in effect.
- Check the filing yourself in FMCSA’s Licensing & Insurance search.
Watch for fakes. FMCSA warns that even insurance certificates can be fraudulent. Check the filing in FMCSA’s own records, not only on paper.
FAQ
Does the seller’s insurance transfer to me?
No. In a TruckBiz deal, the seller’s insurance does not carry over. The current policy is cancelled at handover, and you put your own policy and FMCSA filing in place, with no gap.
Who files the insurance with FMCSA?
Your insurer files Form BMC-91 or BMC-91X.
What is the minimum coverage for general freight?
$750,000 for for-hire, interstate, non-hazardous freight in vehicles of 10,001 lbs or more. That is the legal floor, not advice on what to buy.
Can I run the trucks before my insurance is filed?
No carrier may operate until the required insurance is in effect. Authority also needs the filing to be accepted by FMCSA.
What if I switch insurers later?
When your new insurer files a replacement, the old insurer’s duty ends on the date the new filing starts. Make sure the new filing is in place before the old one ends.
Can TruckBiz quote or sell me insurance?
No. TruckBiz is a marketplace, not an insurance agency.
Sources
- eCFR — 49 CFR 387.7 · 49 CFR 387.9 · 49 CFR 387.15 · 49 CFR 387.301T · 49 CFR 387.303T · 49 CFR 387.313T · 49 CFR 387.323T
- U.S. Code — 49 U.S.C. 13905
- FMCSA Register, March 5, 2026 — PDF
- FMCSA — Licensing & Insurance (L&I) · Broker and Carrier Fraud and Identity Theft
General information only, as of the “Last reviewed” date — not legal, tax or insurance advice. Rules change; check the official source we link. TruckBiz is a marketplace, not a law firm, insurance agency or escrow company. TruckBiz is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escrow.com, FMCSA or the U.S. DOT. Talk to your own lawyer, accountant and insurance agent about your deal.
Last reviewed: October 6, 2026 · TruckBiz Team