Starting a new DOT or MC authority can be confusing. We help owner-operators, hotshot carriers, and small fleets understand what coverage is needed, what documents carriers require, and how to move toward binding coverage with confidence.
Whether you just filed for your DOT number or are still waiting on your MC authority, we can start building a quote and walk you through what to expect.
Just got your authority or still waiting on it. We help you understand what coverage is required before you start hauling.
Pickup and gooseneck operations, often time-sensitive loads. Coverage needs vary by trailer type, weight, and commodity.
Dry van, flatbed, and step-deck operators hauling general commodities. Liability and cargo limits depend on what you haul.
Running under your own authority or leasing on. Coverage requirements differ depending on how you are operating.
Two to ten trucks getting started. Fleet rating, driver lists, and vehicle schedules all factor into underwriting.
New DOT and MC authorities face higher scrutiny from carriers. Understanding why helps you set realistic expectations and avoid surprises when quotes come back.
Carriers want to see how a trucking operation has performed over time. Without a track record, there is no data to show how the authority handles loads, maintains vehicles, or manages drivers. That uncertainty is priced into the premium.
Loss runs are the claims history that carriers use to evaluate risk. A new authority has none. Underwriters treat the absence of history as an unknown, not a positive. Some markets simply will not write new authorities, which limits your options.
Carriers want to understand radius of operation, type of freight, driver experience, and vehicle condition. When those answers are unclear or when the operation looks like it might expand quickly, carriers price in that uncertainty.
New authorities often face more questions, more documentation requirements, and more conditional acceptances than established operators. Some carriers require a minimum period of operation before they will offer coverage at preferred rates.
Coverage requirements vary depending on your authority type, the freight you haul, the states you operate in, and whether you own or lease your equipment. Here is what commonly comes up for new authorities.
Required by the FMCSA for any interstate operation. Covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to others while operating your commercial vehicle. Minimum limits are set by federal regulation and vary by freight type.
Commonly NeededCovers the freight you are hauling if it is damaged, lost, or stolen while in your care. Many brokers and shippers require proof of cargo coverage before they will tender loads. Limits typically range from $25,000 to $100,000 or more.
Often Required by ContractCovers damage to your own truck and trailer from collision, fire, theft, or other covered events. Required by lenders if you are financing. Covers your investment in the equipment regardless of who is at fault.
Required When ApplicableCovers bodily injury and property damage claims that occur away from the vehicle, such as at a loading dock or shipper location. Some shippers require this before allowing access to their facilities.
Covers your truck when it is being operated outside of a dispatch or load, such as driving home between trips. Relevant if you are leased on to a motor carrier whose policy only covers you while under dispatch.
Covers non-owned trailers you are pulling under a trailer interchange agreement. If you are regularly pulling trailers you do not own, this fills a gap that physical damage alone will not cover.
The FMCSA requires carriers to file proof of insurance using specific forms (Form E for liability, Form H for cargo). We help coordinate filings so your authority remains in good standing and you can start hauling without delays.
May Be Required for FilingGathering this information upfront helps us submit complete applications to carriers and avoid delays. The more accurate your information, the faster we can return usable options.
Use our quote form to submit your DOT number, driver details, VINs, freight type, and radius. We will review what you send and follow up with questions or options.
Start a Trucking QuoteUnderwriters evaluate multiple factors when rating a new trucking authority. Here is what tends to move the needle most.
New authorities typically pay more. Established operations with clean histories qualify for better rates over time.
CDL tenure, years operating, and type of experience all factor in. New CDL holders or drivers with limited history are rated higher risk.
Motor vehicle records are reviewed for violations, accidents, and license history. Multiple violations can limit available markets.
Local operations generally rate lower than long-haul interstate routes. Nationwide radius increases exposure and premium.
Hazmat, high-value electronics, and refrigerated cargo carry higher risk profiles. General freight typically rates more favorably.
Higher-value trucks and trailers cost more to insure for physical damage. Age, condition, and stated value all affect the premium.
Higher liability limits, lower deductibles, and additional coverage types all increase premium. Know what limits your contracts require.
Prior accidents, violations, or inspection deficiencies on SAFER or PSP reports will be reviewed by underwriters before quoting.
These issues come up regularly and can delay your quote, inflate your premium, or create coverage gaps after binding.
Binding trucking insurance for a new authority takes time. Starting too close to your first load date can limit your options and leave you rushing into a policy that does not fit your operation.
Carriers price coverage based on what you haul. Answering "anything" or being vague about commodity type often results in higher rates or missed markets that specialize in your actual operation.
Understating your radius to get a lower quote can create problems at claim time. Quote based on the actual territory you plan to operate in from day one.
Trailers you own or regularly pull need to be scheduled on the policy. Owned trailers not listed on the policy may not have physical damage coverage when you need it most.
Cargo coverage limits are set at the policy level, but load values can vary. Make sure your cargo limit is sufficient for the highest-value load you will haul, not just a typical one.
The cheapest policy is not always the right one. Exclusions for certain commodities, low cargo limits, or high deductibles can leave gaps that cost far more than the premium savings.
Yes. There are markets that write new DOT and MC authorities. The options may be more limited and the premiums higher than for established operations, but coverage is available. We help you identify which carriers will consider your application based on your specific operation.
New authorities lack operating history and loss runs, which are the two main tools carriers use to assess risk. Without that data, carriers price in the unknown. Premiums typically decrease as you build a clean record over time.
Cargo insurance is not federally mandated for all operations, but most freight brokers and shippers require it before tendering loads. If you plan to haul for others, you will almost certainly need it. We can help you determine the right limit for your operation.
Turnaround depends on how complete your information is and which carriers we submit to. With complete information, many quotes can be returned within one to three business days. Having your DOT, VINs, driver information, and freight type ready speeds the process significantly.
Physical damage covers your own truck and trailer if they are damaged in a collision, fire, theft, or other covered event. It does not cover the freight you are hauling or injuries to others. If your equipment is financed, your lender will almost certainly require it.
Yes. Once coverage is bound, we help coordinate the necessary FMCSA filings, including Form E for liability and Form H for cargo where required. Filing proof of insurance with the FMCSA is required to activate your operating authority.
Yes. Hotshot operations have specific coverage needs depending on trailer type, commodity, and whether you are operating under your own authority or leased on. We work with markets that understand the hotshot segment and can structure coverage appropriately.