Trucking Insurance, Built Around What FMCSA Actually Requires

The federal minimum gets you legal. It doesn’t always get you loads. We compare 12+ carriers to find coverage that satisfies FMCSA and the brokers you actually work with.

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Why Budget

Insurance shopping, minus the runaround

We’re not a call center reading a script, we’re your neighbors, doing the comparison work you don’t have time for.

Independent & Unbiased

We work for you, not one insurance company, so the recommendation is actually about your best rate.

35+ Years of Experience

Real expertise finding coverage that fits — not just the cheapest number on the page.

No-Pressure Process

Compare your options, ask questions, take your time. No hard sell, ever.

Fast & Simple

Get a real quote in minutes, online or on the phone with a licensed agent.

Coverage Options

Five pieces, and most carriers need more than one

Primary Liability

The core coverage FMCSA requires — pays for bodily injury and property damage you cause to others.

This is the one piece that’s federally mandated for virtually every carrier. Your insurer files proof of it directly with FMCSA.

Cargo Insurance

Not federally required for most carriers, but almost impossible to get loads without it.

Typically $100,000 minimum. Brokers and shippers require it as a condition of working with you.

Physical Damage

Covers your own truck and trailer for collision and comprehensive losses.

Not federally required, but if your equipment is financed, your lender almost certainly requires it.

Bobtail Liability

Covers you when driving without a trailer or outside dispatch.

Standard liability often stops covering you off-dispatch — this fills that gap.

Environmental Liability

Covers cleanup costs from spills or environmental damage during transport.

Particularly relevant for hazmat carriers, though any spill can trigger real cleanup costs.

Trucking insurance works differently than car insurance or homeowners coverage. Your state doesn’t set the rules here — the federal government does, through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Cross state lines hauling general freight over 10,001 pounds, and FMCSA requires at least $750,000 in liability coverage, whether your truck is registered in Georgia, Texas, or anywhere else. That number changes based on what you haul, not where you’re from. Most brokers won’t book you without $1,000,000 anyway, even though the federal floor is lower. Getting this right matters — your insurer files proof of coverage directly with FMCSA, and a lapse can suspend your operating authority within 30 days.

Read This First

Does federal law even apply to you?

Interstate Carriers

Cross state lines — hauling freight from Georgia into Alabama, say — and you're an interstate carrier. Federal rules apply first, before anything your state might require. You'll need FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) and the insurance filings that go with it.

Intrastate Carriers

Stay entirely within one state's borders, and you're an intrastate carrier instead. These operations are governed primarily by state DOT rules, not FMCSA — so your actual minimum coverage can look different depending on where you're based.

A handful of carriers — including some private fleets hauling their own goods, and for-hire carriers moving exempt commodities — don’t need interstate operating authority at all, regardless of whether they cross state lines.

What You Haul Changes Your Minimum

Coverage minimums by cargo type

Cargo Type	Federal Minimum Liability
General freight, over 10,001 lbs	$750,000
Non-hazmat, 10,001 lbs or less	$300,000
Hazardous materials	$1,000,000 – $5,000,000, by class
Household goods (movers)	$5,000/vehicle + $10,000/occurrence (cargo only)

These are federal floors, not targets. $1,000,000 in liability is the most common broker requirement, even for general freight that only requires $750,000 by law.

Find Your Fit

Coverage built around how you actually operate

Every operation type has different needs — explore the coverage built for yours.

Owner-Operator

Independent authority or leased on — coverage built around your specific setup.

Small Fleet

2–10 trucks, bundled under one policy with fleet-level discounts.

Hot Shot

Coverage sized for smaller loads and faster turnaround, not full semi rigs.

Dump Truck

Built around local hauling risk, not long-haul interstate exposure.

Car Hauler

Cargo coverage designed for vehicle-in-transit risk, not general freight.

Household Goods

Movers’ distinct federal cargo requirement, handled correctly from the start.

What Affects Your Rate

Every quote is personal — here's what goes into it

CSA Safety Score

Years of Experience

Cargo Type

Radius of Operation

Driving Record

Truck Age & Type

We Shop These Carriers So You Don’t Have To

$750,000

Federal law sets your minimum — not your state

If you cross state lines, FMCSA requires at least $750,000 in liability coverage for general freight over 10,001 lbs, regardless of which state you’re registered in. Hazmat carriers need $1 to $5 million depending on the commodity. Most brokers won’t load you without $1,000,000 anyway.

Source: FMCSA — 49 CFR Part 387

How It Works

Three steps. No headaches.

1

Compare

Tell us a little about you — we shop 12+ carriers for your best rate.

2

Choose

Review your options with a real agent — no jargon, no pressure.

3

Get Covered

Finalize your policy and drive with confidence, often same-day.

Online Tools vs. A Local Agent

Fast isn't always the same as complete

What matters	Online Quote Tools	Budget Insurance Agency
Speed	Instant	✓ Minutes, by phone or online
Compares multiple carriers	Sometimes — often just one	✓ 12+ carriers, every time
Catches coverage gaps	Rarely flagged	✓ Reviewed by a licensed agent
Explains what you're buying	Self-service only	✓ Real person, plain language
Follow-up if something's wrong	Call center queue	✓ Direct line to your agent

Why this matters: Online tools often quote based on your ZIP code and home value alone — they don't ask about your roof's age, your claims history, or whether your dwelling coverage actually matches today's rebuild costs. A licensed agent catches these gaps before they become a denied claim, not after.

Smart Savings

5 ways to lower your premium without cutting coverage

Keep your CSA score clean — it affects your rate more than almost anything else

Bundle multiple trucks under one policy

Complete a defensive driving or safety certification program

Ask about a claims-free or safety-record discount

Compare rates every year — pricing shifts with market conditions

What Drivers Say

Real reviews from real customers

"Grea was very professional, nice, and answered all of my questions. Thank you for all of your support."

Evette

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Renee H. Bumpus

"I spoke with Krea — she was very polite and addressed everything I asked about."

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FAQs

Common questions about trucking insurance

Does my state set my trucking insurance minimum?

Only if you’re an intrastate carrier, operating entirely within one state. Cross state lines, and federal FMCSA rules apply first, regardless of where you’re registered.

What's the actual minimum liability coverage I need?

For general freight over 10,001 lbs, $750,000 federally. Hazmat runs $1 to $5 million depending on the commodity. Many brokers require $1,000,000 regardless of the legal minimum.

Is cargo insurance required by law?

Only for household goods movers, at $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per occurrence. Everyone else buys it because brokers and shippers require it, not because FMCSA does.

What happens if my insurance lapses?

Your insurer is required to notify FMCSA, which can suspend your operating authority within 30 days. You can’t legally operate without it back in place.

Do I need bobtail coverage if I already have primary liability?

Likely yes. Standard liability often only covers you while dispatched — bobtail fills the gap for the miles you drive without a trailer or outside a load.

How much does trucking insurance typically cost?

A single-truck owner-operator typically pays $8,000 to $14,000 a year. A small fleet of 2-5 trucks usually runs $15,000 to $40,000 a year, depending heavily on CSA score and cargo type.

Budget Insurance Agency