At a glance
- What it covers
- Pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others in an accident with your truck. It’s the coverage your operating authority depends on: at least $750,000 for most for-hire interstate carriers, and $1 million to $5 million for hazardous materials.
- Who needs it
- Every motor carrier and owner-operator running under their own authority.
What is Covered, What is Not
Primary liability coverage is relatively narrow in scope. It covers damage done to other people and their property by you while you are driving. It does not cover you or your rig (you need collision for this; see “physical damage” article). It does not cover theft or vandalism or a tree falling on your rig (you need comprehensive for this; see “physical damage” article). It does not cover your cargo (see “cargo insurance” article). Again, it covers damage done to other people and their property by you while you are driving, and nothing else.
Primary trucker’s liability insurance is mandatory under the law in all 50 states; never drive without it.
How Much Coverage
As a general rule, $1 million is considered the minimum coverage, and for certain types of cargo this is a mandatory minimum. The FMSCA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) sets some minimums; other minimums are set by load brokers. For hazmat cargo, $5 million is generally the minimum. In some cases you might want greater coverage; see “umbrella/excess” article.
