Commercial truck insurance is often the single highest fixed operating expense for new motor carriers, ranging from $12,000 to $24,000+ annually per power unit. Maintaining proper policy limits and endorsements is not only an FMCSA regulatory requirement to keep active operating authority, but also a mandatory prerequisite to clear compliance checks with freight brokers and direct shippers.

1. Core Commercial Trucking Policies

• Primary Auto Liability (BMC-91X filing): FMCSA requires a minimum of $750,000 for general freight, but 99% of freight brokers and shippers require $1,000,000 in primary liability coverage.
• Motor Truck Cargo (MTC): Insures the shipper's freight against loss, theft, and transit damage. Standard industry requirement is $100,000, with specialized high-value electronics and pharmaceutical freight requiring $250,000 to $500,000.
• Physical Damage (Comp & Collision): Protects your tractor and trailer asset value in rollovers, collisions, fire, and weather disasters.
• Reefer Breakdown Endorsement: Mandatory for refrigerated carriers to protect against mechanical failure of the reefer unit and resulting thermal cargo spoilage.