Coverage Guidance
Expert help understanding what insurance coverage your operation needs.
Insurance Compliance
Commercial Truck Insurance Compliance Guide
Understanding and meeting commercial truck insurance requirements is critical to maintaining your operating authority. We help you navigate minimum coverage levels, filing requirements, and cost-saving strategies.
01
Federal Insurance Requirements
FMCSA requires all for-hire motor carriers to maintain minimum levels of financial responsibility (insurance) based on the type of freight they haul. General freight carriers must maintain at least $750,000 in public liability insurance. Carriers hauling hazardous materials need $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 depending on the type of hazmat.
This insurance must be evidenced through specific FMCSA filings. Form BMC-91 is filed by your insurance company to certify your liability coverage. Form BMC-34 certifies your cargo insurance. These filings are mandatory — without them, your operating authority can be revoked.
Beyond federal minimums, many states have their own insurance requirements that may exceed federal levels. Shippers and brokers may also require proof of coverage levels above the federal minimum before tendering loads. Keeping all of this straight is a compliance challenge in itself.
02
Getting the Right Coverage at the Right Price
Insurance is typically one of the largest expenses for any trucking operation. Getting the coverage you need without overpaying requires understanding the market, maintaining good safety records, and working with insurers who specialize in commercial trucking.
SELAM helps you understand exactly what coverage you need — not just the FMCSA minimums, but the practical coverage levels that protect your business. We explain the difference between liability, cargo, physical damage, bobtail, non-trucking liability, and occupational accident insurance in plain language.
We also help you reduce your insurance costs by improving the factors that insurers weigh most heavily: your CSA scores, violation history, claims history, and years of experience. Our compliance management directly contributes to lower insurance premiums by keeping your safety record clean.
03
Maintaining Insurance Compliance
Insurance compliance isn't a one-time event. You must maintain continuous coverage, ensure your BMC-91 and BMC-34 filings are current, add new vehicles to your policy promptly, and respond to any coverage gaps before they trigger FMCSA action.
A lapse in insurance coverage — even for a single day — can result in revocation of your operating authority. Reinstatement requires new insurance filings, a reinstatement fee, and potentially a waiting period during which you cannot operate.
SELAM monitors your insurance compliance as part of our overall compliance management. We track policy expiration dates, verify that BMC filings are current, and alert you to any potential coverage gaps before they become problems.
Key Benefits
Everything You Need, Nothing You Don't
Filing Verification
BMC-91 and BMC-34 filing status monitored and verified continuously.
Cost Reduction
Clean safety records through our compliance management lower your premiums.
Lapse Prevention
Proactive monitoring to prevent coverage gaps that could revoke your authority.
State Requirements
Guidance on state-specific insurance requirements beyond federal minimums.
By the Numbers
Results That Speak for Themselves
01
Minimum Liability$750K
Federal requirement for general freight
02
Premium Impact20-50%
CSA scores affect insurance this much
03
Annual Savings$8K+
From improved safety records
04
Coverage Lapses0
For managed compliance clients
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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Protect Your Authority with Proper Insurance
Don't let insurance gaps threaten your operating authority. Let SELAM help you stay properly covered and compliant.