Insurance for Commercial Trucks: What You Must Carry
Interstate for-hire carriers hauling general freight in trucks of 10,001 lb GVWR or more must carry at least $750,000 in liability (49 CFR 387.9); oil and hazmat require $1M–$5M. Intrastate trucks follow state rules, and most brokers also want cargo coverage.
By TruckerStack Editorial, AK Digital Marketing LLC · Checked against official sources on 2026-11-04 · Editorial policy · Not insurance, legal or financial advice.
Federal minimums
| Interstate for-hire freight | Federal minimum |
|---|---|
| General freight, GVWR 10,001 lb or more | $750,000 |
| Oil (49 CFR 172.101 listed) | $1,000,000 |
| Certain hazmat (e.g. Div 1.1–1.3, bulk 2.3 Zone A) | $5,000,000 |
| General freight, GVWR under 10,001 lb (for-hire) | $300,000 |
Sources: 49 CFR 387.9 and 49 CFR 387.303 (under-10,001 lb tier).
Your insurer files proof (BMC-91 or 91X) with FMCSA; your MC authority is not activated without it. Check what is on file for any carrier in our USDOT lookup.
State (intrastate) minimums
If you never cross state lines, the state sets your floor, and it can be higher or lower than federal. Guides: Texas ($500,000 over 26,000 lb), Florida (weight-tiered $50,000–$300,000), New Jersey (up to $1,500,000). Other states: state guides.
Coverages explained
- Primary auto liability: the coverage FMCSA requires; your insurer files the BMC-91/91X so it shows on FMCSA Licensing & Insurance.
- Motor truck cargo: not federally required for most freight, but most brokers ask for it in their contracts.
- Physical damage: covers your own truck/trailer; lenders usually require it.
- Non-trucking / bobtail liability: for leased-on owner-operators when not under dispatch.
- General liability, trailer interchange, occupational accident: required by some shippers, docks or carriers you lease to.
By truck type
- Hot shot truck insurance: pickup + gooseneck, often crossing 10,001 lb combined.
- Box truck insurance: 26,000 lb non-CDL trucks and cargo vans.
- Tow, dump and specialty trucks: same federal floors if interstate for-hire; commodity and equipment drive the rest.
What affects price
Premiums are set by each insurer and we do not publish price estimates. What moves a quote: authority age (new MCs are rated higher), driver MVR and CDL experience, radius and lanes, commodity, vehicle value and GVWR, garaging ZIP, CSA/inspection history (check yours in our DOT lookup), deductibles and limits above the minimum that brokers often require.
The 'cheapest insurance for trucks' is usually the one that matches your operation exactly: an under-insured policy that a broker rejects costs more in lost loads.
How to compare quotes
- Have your USDOT/MC, VINs, driver licenses and 3–5 years of loss runs ready.
- Ask each agent for the same limits, deductibles and radius so quotes are comparable.
- Confirm the insurer can file with FMCSA and is rated by an independent rating agency.
- Read exclusions: commodity, radius, scheduled-driver and trailer clauses.
- After binding, confirm the filing appears on FMCSA Licensing & Insurance.
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FAQ
What is the minimum insurance for a commercial truck?
For interstate for-hire general freight in vehicles 10,001 lb GVWR or more, $750,000 under 49 CFR 387.9. Oil needs $1,000,000 and certain hazmat $5,000,000. For-hire vehicles under 10,001 lb need $300,000 (49 CFR 387.303).
Is cargo insurance required?
Not by FMCSA for most general freight carriers, but most broker and shipper contracts require it.
How much does commercial truck insurance cost?
It depends on authority age, driver record, radius, commodity, equipment and limits. We do not publish price estimates; compare quotes with identical limits.
How do I check a carrier's insurance?
Search the USDOT or MC number in our free lookup or on FMCSA's Licensing & Insurance site.