Trucking & Transportation Insurance for Your Operation

Interstate motor carriers regulated by the FMCSA are required to maintain minimum primary auto liability limits — typically $750,000 for general freight, $1,000,000 for hazardous materials, and $300,000 for certain smaller vehicles. The MCS-90 endorsement must be attached to your policy to satisfy federal filing requirements. Minnesota intrastate carriers are subject to state-level requirements. We will assess your specific operating authority and ensure your coverage meets every applicable mandate. Call 651-243-0056 to get started.

The MCS-90 is a mandatory endorsement attached to the liability policy of FMCSA-regulated motor carriers. It guarantees that the insurer will pay a judgment against the carrier for bodily injury or property damage caused by the vehicle, even if the policy would otherwise exclude coverage. Any carrier operating in interstate commerce and holding operating authority issued by the FMCSA is required to have an MCS-90 endorsement on file. We handle this filing as part of your coverage setup.

These terms are often used interchangeably but technically describe slightly different scenarios. Bobtail insurance specifically covers a semi-truck operating without a trailer. Non-Trucking Liability (NTL) covers the truck when it is being used for non-business, personal purposes outside the scope of any motor carrier's dispatch — whether or not a trailer is attached. Both coverages address the gap that exists when a carrier's primary trucking policy does not apply. We will clarify which coverage is appropriate for your leasing arrangement and operating profile.

Federal law does not universally require motor truck cargo insurance for all carriers, but freight brokers, shippers, and load boards routinely impose minimum cargo liability requirements — often $100,000 or more — as a condition of doing business. Operating without cargo coverage also exposes you to direct financial liability for any load damaged or lost in transit. We will help you identify the cargo limits your contracts require and source coverage that satisfies those requirements at a competitive rate.

When you are leased to a motor carrier, their primary liability policy typically covers you while you are under dispatch. However, significant coverage gaps commonly exist — including periods when you are operating outside of dispatch (bobtail/NTL), physical damage to your own equipment, and occupational accident coverage for your personal injury protection. We specialize in building owner-operator programs that layer properly with carrier-provided coverage to eliminate those gaps and protect your equipment and income.

Commercial trucking premiums are influenced by a range of factors: the type of cargo hauled, operating radius and routes, driver history and MVR records, years of experience, the age and value of equipment, prior claims history, and your loss runs. As an independent broker, we present your operation to multiple commercial transportation carriers — each of whom prices these factors differently — to identify the most favorable premium for your specific risk profile. Contact us at 651-243-0056 for a detailed quote.