What federal law requires
Under 49 CFR 387.9, for-hire carriers hauling general (non-hazardous) freight in vehicles of 10,001 lbs or more need at least:
- $750,000 for general freight
- $1,000,000 for oil and certain hazardous materials
- $5,000,000 for specified bulk hazardous materials
What brokers require
The usual large-broker setup asks for $1M auto liability and $100K cargo, sometimes $1M general liability too. C.H. Robinson moved from $750K to $1M in 2026, after the Supreme Court ruled in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II that brokers can face negligent-selection claims. Compare each broker on the broker requirements table.
You’re far from alone at $1M: OOIDA has reported that about 98% of carriers subject to the $750K minimum already carry at least $1M. The ones who don’t are mostly new authorities and the smallest fleets, which is exactly the group brokers filter hardest.
Filing vs. certificate: what brokers actually see
- The FMCSA filing (BMC-91 or BMC-91X) is sent by your insurer and shows on FMCSA’s licensing and insurance record. Many insurers file only the $750K federal minimum even when your policy is $1M.
- The certificate of insurance (COI) comes from your agent and shows your actual limits, cargo coverage and the broker as certificate holder.
If a broker’s automated check reads only the filing, a $1M policy can look like $750K. Ask your agent whether they can file the full limit, and keep a current COI ready.
What it costs to go from $750K to $1M
We couldn’t find a reliable public figure, and quotes vary by state, driver history and radius. CarrierReady’s dec-page check collects anonymous real premiums so we can publish typical increases once enough carriers share them. Until then, get at least three quotes from trucking-specialist agents.
Before you raise your limit
- Check which brokers you’d actually unlock. If authority age blocks you anyway, the extra premium won’t open doors yet.
- Ask your agent to quote $1M auto with $100K cargo, and reefer breakdown if you run reefer.
- Make sure the new limit is filed with FMCSA, then send fresh COIs to brokers.
Free check · 10 seconds
Which brokers would $1M actually unlock for you?
We test the fix against every broker's rules, so you can see whether raising your limit opens doors now or only after your authority ages.
Questions carriers ask
Is $750K enough to haul freight?
It's the legal minimum for general freight, but most large brokers require $1M auto liability, so $750K limits which brokers will load you.
Do I need $1M if I'm leased on?
Usually not. A leased owner-operator runs under the motor carrier's authority and insurance. The requirement applies when you have your own authority.
How much cargo insurance do brokers want?
$100,000 is the common minimum. Some freight (high-value, some dedicated programs) asks for $250,000.
Related guides
- What new authorities pay for truck insurance
- Why your carrier setup got rejected
- Carrier packet checklist
- Carrier requirements for the top brokers
Sources
- 49 CFR Part 387 (eCFR)
- Land Line: C.H. Robinson tightens carrier standards after Supreme Court loss (June 3, 2026)
- OOIDA: minimum financial responsibility one-pager (c. 2020)
- otrucking: BMC-91 vs BMC-91X (Sept 1, 2026)
- Cornell LII: Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II (May 14, 2026)
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This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice.