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Activate My MC Number: What Truck Insurance Coverages Are Required to Start Your Trucking Company

Navigating the Road Ahead: The Ultimate Guide to Trucking Insurance for New Authorities

If you’re ready to activate your MC number and launch your trucking business, insurance should be your first priority—not your truck purchase. Without the required filings, the FMCSA won’t approve your operating authority. In this guide, you’ll learn which truck insurance coverages you need, why they matter, and how to stay compliant as you build your fleet.

Introduction: Why You Need Insurance to Activate Your MC Number

Starting a trucking company requires more than just a DOT number and a business plan. In fact, if you’re asking how to activate your MC number, insurance is the critical piece to that puzzle. Until your insurer files proof of insurance with the FMCSA, your authority will remain inactive.

Thankfully, understanding what’s required—and how to get it—is easier than you might think. Let’s walk through the essentials together.

What Is Trucking Insurance and Why Does It Matter?

Trucking insurance is a safety net for your operation. It protects you financially if your truck causes injury or property damage, or if cargo is lost or stolen. Most importantly, it’s a non-negotiable requirement to activate your MC number.

Without the right insurance, your application won’t move forward. Moreover, lacking coverage opens your business to enormous risk.

Insurance You Must Have to Activate My MC Number

To legally operate across state lines, you must file specific coverages with the FMCSA. These filings show that you have enough protection in place for public safety and cargo security.

1. Auto/Public Liability Insurance

First and foremost, the FMCSA requires liability coverage to protect other drivers on the road.

  • Required Limits:

    • $750,000 for most freight

    • $1,000,000 if you’re working with brokers

    • $5,000,000 for hazardous materials

  • Filing Required: Yes — via Form BMC-91 or BMC-91X

  • Why It Matters: This coverage protects you from lawsuits in case of an accident.

2. Motor Truck Cargo Insurance

While not federally mandated, most freight brokers won’t work with you unless you carry this.

  • Typical Minimum: $100,000

  • Filing Required: No (but often contractually necessary)

  • Why It Matters: It protects the goods you’re hauling, which keeps clients confident in your services.

Additional Coverages to Consider for Long-Term Protection

Although these aren’t required to activate your MC number, they offer essential protection as you grow your operation:

  • Physical Damage Insurance – Covers repairs to your truck due to collision or weather events

  • Bobtail / Non-Trucking Liability – Protects you when the truck is being used off-dispatch

  • General Liability Insurance – Helps cover incidents not directly related to driving (e.g., property damage during delivery)

  • Workers’ Compensation – Covers employee injuries on the job

  • Trailer Interchange Insurance – Provides coverage for trailers you don’t own

  • Reefer Breakdown Insurance – Essential for perishable cargo transport, in case the cooling unit fails

Consider these policies early on to avoid gaps in protection later.

How to Choose the Right Trucking Insurance Provider

Selecting the right insurance partner is just as important as choosing the right policies. After all, the wrong provider can delay your MC activation—or leave you underinsured when you need help most.

Here’s what to look for:

  • Proven Experience: Choose someone who regularly works with new trucking authorities

  • Speedy Filings: The best providers will submit your BMC-91 and BMC-34 quickly

  • Top-Rated Carriers: Ask if they work with Progressive, Canal, or Cover Whale

  • Great Service: You’ll need fast answers when you’re on the road

  • Flexible Plans: Look for monthly billing or down payment options

Ultimately, the right agent will help you activate your MC number quickly while tailoring your plan to fit your budget and business model.

Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance and MC Number Activation

Q: Can I activate my MC number without insurance?
No. The FMCSA requires proof of insurance before activating your operating authority.

Q: Who files the insurance forms with the FMCSA?
Your insurance provider submits the forms—typically BMC-91 for liability and BMC-34 for cargo—on your behalf.

Q: How long does activation take after filing?
Usually, it takes about 20 to 25 business days from the date of your original MC application, assuming all filings are submitted promptly.

Q: Is cargo insurance required by law?
Not federally, but almost all brokers and clients require it before they’ll do business with you.

Final Thoughts: Insurance Fuels Your MC Number Activation

When you’re ready to activate your MC number, think of truck insurance as the fuel that gets you moving. Without it, your journey won’t begin. With it, you gain protection, compliance, and confidence.

So, take the right first step. Get insured, file the forms, and hit the road with peace of mind.

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