Federal Trucking Insurance Minimums Explained

If you were hurt in a collision with a commercial truck, one early question is how much insurance stands behind the trucking company. Federal regulations answer only part of it: they set the minimum amount of liability coverage a motor carrier must hold. This page explains that minimum, using the text of the federal rule as it stood in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations on October 14, 2026. It covers United States federal rules only and is general information, not legal advice about any particular crash.

What the federal minimums are

The schedule is in 49 CFR 387.9 (Table 1, Schedule of Limits, Public Liability). It applies to motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds or more, except for the last row below, and the amount depends on what the truck carries and the type of carriage:

• $750,000: for-hire carriage of non-hazardous property in interstate or foreign commerce, GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more.
• $1,000,000: oil listed in 49 CFR 172.101, and hazardous waste, hazardous materials or hazardous substances listed in 49 CFR 172.101 that are not covered by the $5,000,000 category, in interstate or foreign commerce in any quantity, or in intrastate commerce in bulk only.
• $5,000,000: hazardous substances transported in bulk in cargo tanks, portable tanks or hopper-type vehicles, and certain other bulk loads named in the rule (for example bulk Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 explosives, and highway route controlled quantities of Class 7 radioactive material), for-hire or private carriage.
• $5,000,000: for vehicles under 10,001 pounds GVWR in interstate or foreign commerce, only for the most dangerous bulk hazardous loads listed in the rule.

What "minimum" means

The figures in 49 CFR 387.9 are the lowest levels of financial responsibility a carrier may lawfully operate with. The rule does not cap a carrier's coverage, and it does not say what any injury claim is worth. A claim is valued on the harm caused, such as medical costs, lost income and other damages, and on who is legally responsible. Whether a particular carrier holds more than the federal minimum is a fact to be established for that carrier, and this page does not make any claim about what carriers typically carry.

The non-hazardous entry in Table 1 applies to for-hire carriage in interstate or foreign commerce. A truck that stays within one state, or a vehicle outside the weight and cargo categories above, may be governed by state requirements instead. State insurance rules are outside the scope of this page.

When the coverage must be in place and how it is proved

Under 49 CFR 387.7(a), a motor carrier may not operate a motor vehicle until it has obtained, and has in effect, the minimum levels in 387.9. Coverage must stay in effect continuously until terminated, and the insurer or the carrier cancels by giving 35 days' written notice (387.7(b)(1)).

The carrier must keep proof of its financial responsibility at its principal place of business (387.7(d)). That proof is one of three things: an insurer's endorsement on Form MCS-90, a surety bond on Form MCS-82, or a written FMCSA authorization to self-insure, which requires a satisfactory safety rating.

The rule also states that this proof is public information and is to be produced for review on reasonable request by a member of the public (387.7(e)(1)). How to make that request, and what else to preserve and demand after a specific crash, is something to take up with a lawyer.

Why this matters after a crash

Because the minimum for ordinary freight is a fixed federal amount, it is a starting point, not a prediction. Serious injuries can produce damages that exceed any single policy, and the available coverage can depend on policies, endorsements and the parties involved. Our guide to who can be sued after a truck accident explains why more than one party may be responsible, and our guide to how truck accident cases are valued explains the damages that are typically considered. Evidence also matters early; see how to preserve truck accident evidence.

This article is general educational information as of October 16, 2026. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and does not promise any result. Regulations can change; check the current text of 49 CFR Part 387 or speak with a licensed attorney about your situation. See our disclaimer.