ServicesNew Authority Truck Insurance
New Authority Truck Insurance in Union City
Your MC authority can't go active until an insurer files proof of liability with the FMCSA. We put together the coverage a new motor carrier needs, explain each piece in writing and make sure the filing goes in once you bind.
What new authority insurance covers
When you apply for your own MC authority, the FMCSA holds it until your insurer files a BMC-91X showing you carry at least the federal minimum for auto liability. No filing, no active authority. That's the first job.
Most new carriers need more than the filing, though. Brokers and shippers usually want cargo coverage on the certificate of insurance. If your truck is financed, the lender will want physical damage too. We look at what you haul, how far you run and who you plan to work with, then price the pieces that fit your operation.
New ventures cost more to insure, and fewer carriers will write them. We tell you that up front. Your quote comes in writing, with every coverage, limit, deductible and fee listed, so there's nothing added later.
What we set up for a new authority
- 01
Primary auto liability
This is the coverage the FMCSA filing is based on. It pays for injuries and damage you cause to others on the road. We price at least the federal minimum and show you what higher limits would cost, since many brokers ask for them.
- 02
The BMC-91X filing
Once you bind, the insurance company files electronically with the FMCSA under your DOT number. We confirm it went through and check that the name and numbers match your application exactly.
- 03
Motor truck cargo
Covers the freight you're hauling if it's damaged or lost. Limits and exclusions depend on the commodity, so we ask what you plan to haul before we put a number on it.
- 04
Physical damage
Covers your own truck and trailer for collision, theft, fire and similar losses. Required by most lenders and lease companies.
- 05
Certificates of insurance
Brokers will ask for a certificate before they load you. We issue them when you need them and add certificate holders as you pick up new customers.
Questions about New Authority Truck Insurance?
Call(770) 790-4033Signs this is the coverage you need now
You just filed for your MC number
Your application is in, and the FMCSA is waiting on proof of insurance. That clock is real, so it helps to start early.
You're leaving a lease
If you've been running under another carrier's authority, their policy covered you. Once you go out on your own, you need your own liability and your own filings.
Brokers keep asking for a COI
A load board account isn't much use without a certificate showing liability and cargo coverage. No certificate, no freight.
You got a quote you can't read
Some new carriers get a single number with no breakdown. If you can't tell what's covered or what the fees are, call us and we'll lay it out line by line.
How we get a new carrier covered
- 1
A phone or video call
We ask about your DOT and MC numbers, your CDL history, the truck and trailer, what you'll haul and how far. If you're near Union City you can also come by the office.
- 2
We shop the markets
Not every insurance company writes new authorities. We go to the ones that do and compare what they offer for your kind of freight.
- 3
Your written quote
You get each coverage with its limit, deductible and premium, plus any policy or filing fees and the down payment. We walk through it with you and answer questions before you decide.
- 4
Bind and file
When you sign, we bind the policy, the insurer sends the filing to the FMCSA, and we get you your first certificate of insurance.
What moves the price for a new authority
Insurers have no claims history to look at on a new carrier, so they lean hard on the driver and the plan. That's why new authority premiums run higher than for an established fleet. Here's what they weigh, and every one of these shows up in the paperwork we hand you.
- Driving experience
- Years with a CDL and a clean MVR matter more than anything else. Two years of verifiable experience opens up more carriers than one.
- What you haul
- General freight prices differently than refrigerated loads, auto hauling or construction materials. Higher-value or higher-risk cargo raises both cargo and liability costs.
- Radius and lanes
- A truck running local out of the south metro is a different risk than one running coast to coast. Longer runs usually cost more.
- Equipment
- The year, value and type of truck and trailer drive the physical damage premium.
- Limits and deductibles
- Higher liability limits cost more but may be what brokers require. A larger deductible on physical damage lowers the premium if you can carry it.
New authority questions we hear
How soon can my authority go active after I buy a policy?
Your insurer files the BMC-91X once the policy is bound. The FMCSA also needs your BOC-3 process agent filing and has its own review period before activating. We can't speed up the FMCSA, but we make sure the insurance side isn't what's holding you up.
Why is my premium so much higher than my friend's?
If your friend has been running his own authority for a few years with no claims, insurers have a track record to price. You don't have one yet. Driving experience, freight type and radius also differ, and we show you which factors are raising your number.
Do I need cargo coverage if the FMCSA doesn't require it?
For most general freight, the federal rule only requires liability. In practice, almost every broker and shipper requires cargo coverage before they load you. We usually price it alongside your liability so you can see the cost either way.
What happens at my new entrant safety audit?
Within your first year, FMCSA reviews your records, including proof of insurance. Keep your policy documents and certificate handy. If anything on the policy doesn't match your registration, we fix it before the audit.
Can I add a second truck later?
Yes. Call us with the truck, trailer and driver details and we price the addition in writing before anything changes. If you grow past a few units, our fleet truck insurance page explains how that changes the picture.
Starting your own authority?
Tell us your DOT number, your truck and what you plan to haul. We'll send a written quote that shows every line, and handle the filing once you're ready.