Getting your own authority means getting your own insurance, and FMCSA won’t activate your MC number until your insurer files proof of coverage. We help new carriers and owner-operators leaving a lease get the filings done on time, with markets that write first-year authorities.
Start a new trucking authority quote or call 888-391-5981.
Common risks
- Your authority is dismissed because insurance wasn’t filed in time
- A shipper or broker won’t load you without the cargo and liability limits they require
- An accident with a loaded truck
- Theft of or damage to a load
- Your truck is damaged and you can’t work while it’s repaired
Coverage most new trucking authority need
| Coverage | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Primary auto liability | The coverage FMCSA requires, filed with a BMC-91 or BMC-91X. Most brokers and shippers want $1 million. |
| Motor truck cargo | Damage to or theft of the freight you haul. $100,000 is a common broker requirement. |
| Physical damage | Your truck and trailer. |
| Non-trucking liability | For owner-operators leased to a carrier, when you’re driving off dispatch. |
| General liability | Often required by shippers, brokers and warehouses. |
| Occupational accident or workers comp | Injury coverage for you and your drivers. |
California requirements & what to know
Key requirements:
- FMCSA: for-hire carriers of general freight in vehicles of 10,001 pounds or more need at least $750,000 in liability. Your insurer files the BMC-91X, and the filing has to be in place soon after your authority application is published or the application can be dismissed.
- California Motor Carrier Permit (MCP): required for most commercial vehicles operating in California, with proof of liability filed with the DMV.
Why business owners work with Pierce
- We’re an independent agency with access to standard carriers and specialty (surplus lines) markets, so we can place risks many agents turn down.
- A licensed agent handles your account from quote to renewal.
- Certificates of insurance, additional insureds and policy changes are handled fast. Request a COI.
- Local offices in San Dimas and Monrovia.
Related: Trucking · Freight brokers · Truckers · Commercial auto
Frequently asked questions
How much does insurance for a new authority cost?
It depends on your experience, driving record, radius, cargo, truck values and garaging ZIP code. First-year authorities pay more, so we compare several markets to find the best price.
How fast can you file my BMC-91X?
Once you bind, filings typically go out within a business day. Call us before your authority application is published so there’s no delay.
I’m leased to a carrier now. What changes when I get my own authority?
You’ll need your own primary liability and cargo instead of the carrier’s, plus your own filings. Your non-trucking liability policy is replaced.