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Trucking Primary Liability

Trucking primary liability insurance.

Primary liability is the core auto liability coverage every motor carrier needs, and it is tied to the federal filing that activates and maintains your operating authority.

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Trucking primary liability covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to others while operating, and it is the coverage behind the FMCSA financial-responsibility filing required to run under authority. Federal minimum limits apply, and they vary by what you haul.

What it covers

Primary liability responds when your truck causes injury or property damage to others on the road. For a motor carrier, it is the foundation of the program and the coverage your authority depends on, since the FMCSA requires proof of it on file before you can operate for hire.

Federal minimums and what you haul

Federal financial-responsibility minimums apply to for-hire carriers and vary by commodity, with higher minimums for certain hazardous materials. Many shippers and brokers require more than the federal minimum by contract. We confirm your limit meets both the federal requirement and your contracts. Verify current FMCSA minimums directly, as they are set by regulation.

The filing connection

Primary liability is linked to the FMCSA filing (commonly the BMC-91 or 91X) that activates authority, and the coverage and filing have to stay in force together. A lapse can jeopardize your authority. We coordinate the coverage and the filing.

Frequently asked

Common questions.

What is trucking primary liability?
Core auto liability for injury and property damage you cause to others, and the coverage behind the FMCSA filing that activates your authority.
What are the federal liability minimums?
They are set by FMCSA regulation and vary by commodity, with higher minimums for certain hazmat. Many contracts require more. Verify current minimums with the FMCSA.
Does my liability filing activate my authority?
The FMCSA generally requires proof of financial responsibility on file before authority activates, so the coverage and filing have to line up. Verify with the FMCSA.
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Is this coverage right on your policy?

Tell us how you operate and we will check this coverage against your authority, cargo, and contracts. Educational, no obligation.

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We confirm the coverage and limits fit your operation
We check the exclusions that matter for trucking
We line it up with your filings and contracts
You get a clear read, no obligation
Related resources

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Filings

Financial Responsibility (BMC-91)

The filing tied to primary liability.

Coverage

Commercial Umbrella

Excess over primary liability.

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Get primary liability and the filing right.

Tell us your operation and contracts and we will make sure your liability and filing line up.

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