A carrier can have active FMCSA authority and still be completely uninsured. Authority status and insurance are tracked separately by FMCSA — and both need to be verified before you book a load. This guide explains exactly how to check a carrier's insurance online for free, what types of insurance FMCSA tracks, what the minimum requirements are, and what red flags to watch for.
Why You Must Verify Insurance Separately from Authority
Many freight brokers and shippers check a carrier's operating authority and stop there. That's a significant gap. A carrier's insurance can lapse at any time — even while their authority remains active. FMCSA does not automatically revoke authority when insurance lapses. That's your responsibility to catch.
If you book a load with a carrier whose insurance has lapsed and a claim occurs, you may be left holding significant liability. Many shipper contracts hold the broker responsible for verifying carrier insurance at the time of booking. This is not a technicality — it is a standard industry requirement.
Active authority does NOT mean active insurance. Always check both fields before tendering a load. A carrier whose insurance lapsed last week may still show Active authority in FMCSA's system.
Types of Insurance FMCSA Tracks
FMCSA's insurance records include several distinct coverage types. Each serves a different purpose and has different minimum requirements:
Bodily Injury and Property Damage (BIPD)
This is the primary liability coverage required of all for-hire motor carriers. It covers injuries and property damage caused to third parties in an accident. The federal minimum is $750,000 for carriers transporting non-hazardous freight in vehicles over 10,000 lbs. Many shippers require $1,000,000 or more.
Cargo Insurance
Cargo insurance protects the freight itself against loss or damage during transit. FMCSA does not set a federal minimum for cargo insurance in most cases, but many brokers and shippers require a minimum of $100,000. Always confirm the cargo limit is appropriate for the freight value you're moving.
Bond (BMC-84 or BMC-85)
Freight brokers are required to carry a surety bond or trust fund of at least $75,000 under FMCSA regulations. This protects motor carriers and shippers from broker non-payment. When verifying a broker rather than a carrier, always confirm their bond is active.
Hazardous Materials Insurance
Carriers transporting hazardous materials are subject to significantly higher minimum insurance requirements — up to $5,000,000 depending on the commodity. Always verify HazMat coverage separately when applicable.
How to Check a Carrier's Insurance for Free
The fastest way to verify carrier insurance is through CarrierCheck. Enter the carrier's DOT or MC number and the insurance section shows all active policies on file with FMCSA, including coverage type, insurer name, policy number, coverage amount, and effective date.
Look up the carrier by DOT or MC number
Go to CarrierCheck and search by the carrier's USDOT number or MC number. Both formats are accepted.
Find the Insurance section
Scroll down to the Insurance on File section in the carrier's profile. This shows all insurance records FMCSA has on file for this carrier, including the type, insurer, coverage amount, and status.
Check for active coverage
Confirm the policy status is active and not pending cancellation. Check the coverage amount against your requirements. Look for the insurer name — verify it's a legitimate, recognizable carrier.
Check for pending cancellations
FMCSA also shows pending insurance cancellations — policies that are about to lapse. A carrier with a pending cancellation may still show active coverage today but will be uninsured shortly. Do not book future loads with carriers showing pending cancellations.
Insurance Red Flags to Watch For
When reviewing carrier insurance, flag any of the following:
- No insurance on file — the carrier has no FMCSA-filed insurance. Do not book.
- Coverage amount below minimum — BIPD below $750,000 is non-compliant for most freight.
- Pending cancellation — coverage is about to lapse. Do not book future loads.
- Very recent policy start date — newly filed insurance with a brand-new carrier is a common fraud indicator.
- Unknown or unverifiable insurer — if the insurance company name looks unfamiliar or fake, verify it independently.
- Gap in coverage history — a carrier whose insurance lapsed and was recently reinstated should be reviewed carefully.
Always record the insurance verification at the time of booking — carrier name, policy number, coverage amount, and verification date. This documentation protects you if a claim is disputed later.
Should You Request a Certificate of Insurance?
For large loads, high-value freight, or new carrier relationships, many brokers request a Certificate of Insurance (COI) directly from the carrier or their insurer. A COI provides formal documentation of coverage and can name your company as an additional insured.
However, requesting a COI from every carrier on every load is not practical for high-volume operations. FMCSA insurance verification through CarrierCheck covers the day-to-day compliance check efficiently. Reserve COI requests for situations where the stakes justify the extra step.
Verify carrier insurance now — free
Search any US carrier by DOT or MC number to see their insurance on file
Check Carrier Insurance →The Bottom Line
Insurance verification is not optional — it is a core part of carrier vetting that must happen every time you book a load with a carrier, not just at onboarding. FMCSA insurance data is public, free, and updated in real time. There is no excuse for booking freight with an uninsured carrier when verification takes less than 30 seconds.
Check authority. Check insurance. Check safety rating. Every time. In that order.