Large Truck Insurance Requirements
From the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Regulations 49 CFR §§ 355 et seq.
In an effort to insure that the public interest is protected and that compensation is available in the event of injury or death resulting from a collision with a large truck, government regulations set forth minimum requirements for the liability insurance coverage provided on a large commercial vehicle. The limits range from $300,000 for fleet vehicles under 10,000 to $5,000,000 for freight vehicles transporting certain hazardous substances.
Minimum Insurance Requirements for Small Freight Vehicles:
| Kind of equipment |
Transportation provided |
Minimum limits |
| Fleet including only vehicles under 10,000 pounds GVWR |
Commodities not subject to 49 CFR §387.303(b)(2) |
$300,000 |
Minimum Insurance Requirements for Passenger Carriers:
| Kind of Equipment |
Effective date |
Effective date |
| Vehicle seating capacity |
November 19, 1983 |
November 19, 1985 |
| (1) Any vehicle with a seating capacity of 16 passengers or more |
$2,500,000 |
$5,000,000 |
| (2) Any vehicle with a seating capacity of 15 passengers or less |
750,000 |
1,500,000 |
Minimum Insurance Requirements for Motor carriers subject to§387.301(a)(2):
| Kind of equipment |
Commodity transported |
July 1, 1983* |
January 1, 1985* |
| (a) Freight Vehicles of 10,001 Pounds or More GVWR. |
Property (non-hazardous) |
$500,000 |
$750,000 |
| (b) Freight Vehicles of 10,001 Pounds or More GVWR. |
Hazardous substances, as defined in 49 CFR 171.8, transported in cargo tanks, portable tanks, or hopper-type vehicles with capacities in excess of 3,500 water gallons, or in bulk Class A or B explosives, poison gas (Poison A) liquefied compressed gas or compressed gas, of highway route controlled quantity radioactive materials as defined in 49 CFR 173.455 |
1,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
| (c) Freight Vehicles of 10,001 Pounds or More GVWR. |
Oil listed in 49 CFR 172.101; hazardous waste, hazardous materials and hazardous substances defined in 49 CFR 171.8 and listed in 49 CFR 172.101, but not mentioned in (b) above or (d) below. |
500,000 |
1,000,000 |
| (d) Freight Vehicles under 10,001 Pounds GVWR. |
Any quantity of Class A or B explosives; any quantity of poison gas (Poison A); or highway route controlled quantity radioactive materials as defined in 49 CFR 173.455 |
1,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
*NOTE: The effective date of the current required minimum limit in 49 CFR 387.303(b)(2) was January 6, 1983, in accordance with the requirements of Pub. L 97–424, 96 Stat. 2097.
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