How Much Insurance Do I Need To Activate My MC Number?

Commercial truck insurance serves multiple purposes for truckers: It protects their truck and trailer, allows them to get plates, and activates their motor carrier number (MC number). Activating your MC number is crucial for over-the-road trucking.

We’ll explain what auto liability limit you need to start rolling and how you can find cheap truck insurance.

Why Do I Need An Active MC Number?

An active MC number is authority from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to operate across state lines for-hire.

Interstate truckers need this authority from the FMCSA. You are an interstate hauler if you are paid to transport goods across state lines. In addition, many brokers require trucking companies to maintain an active MC number for intrastate operations to demonstrate a commitment to safety and compliance.

The UIIA requires intermodal trucking companies to maintain an active motor carrier number to access ports and railyards.

What Motor Carrier Authority Coverage Do I Need?

Your commercial truck policy should meet the FMCSA insurance requirements. The FMCSA requires trucking companies to purchase certain auto liability coverage and filings. Your commercial truck insurance policy must include the BMC-91 filing to provide proof of financial responsibility to the FMCSA.

Confusing? Don’t worry. Simply ask your insurance agent if the quote will activate your authority.

You can review your MC number online in the FMCSA’s Licensing and Insurance portal.

Auto Liability for MC Number

The FMCSA has minimum Bodily Injury and Property Damage (BIPD), also known as auto liability, requirements to activate your authority. Most motor carriers will need $750,000 liability.

The amount of auto liability the FMCSA requires depends on the type of cargo hauled. General freight haulers such as dry van and flatbed and refrigerated good haulers will need $750,000 liability. However, auto haulers need $1,000,000 auto liability. Hazmat haulers need $5,000,000.

What Liability Limits Do I Need To Activate My MC Number?

1In addition to auto liability, you need to purchase a BOC-3, a processing agent list for each state. These tend to be $30 to $50 and many offer one-time fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

I purchased $1,000,000 liability. Why does my MC number show $750,000?

The purpose of the insurance filing is to prove to the FMCSA that you meet the minimum required liability limit to operate. Purchasing more coverage does not reflect on your authority.

How do I update my MC number?

If you started out hauling consumer goods in a dry van trailer, but now haul automobiles, you will need to update your MC number with an OP-1 form. When in doubt, contact the FMCSA at 800-832-5660.

What else do I need to activate my motor carrier number?

In addition to meeting the FMCSA’s minimum insurance requirements, you need to purchase a BOC-3. The BOC-3 is a list of processing agents in each state.

How long will it take to activate my MC number?

The FMCSA requires a three week waiting period before your authority can go active. During that time, you must purchase insurance with a filing and the BOC-3. Once you meet their requirements and are past the waiting period, the FMCSA takes one to five business days to flip your authority to active.

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