What Are the Dry Van Trucking Insurance Requirements in My State?

If you're a new authority trucker or owner-op hauling dry van freight, you need to know the specific insurance requirements in your state. Let's break it down.

The Basic Dry Van Trucking Insurance Minimums

The federal minimum insurance requirements for dry van truckers with a new authority are:

• $750,000 in primary liability coverage
• $100,000 in cargo coverage

But each state can have its own additional requirements on top of the federal minimums. For example, some states require:

• Higher liability limits (like $1 million)
• Additional coverages like non-trucking liability or physical damage

So to make sure you're 100% compliant, you'll need to check the specific laws in the states you'll be operating in.

Dry Van Insurance Requirements by State

Here's a quick rundown of the key trucking insurance requirements for dry van in some major states:

California

• $1 million in liability
• $100,000 in cargo
• Also requires $50,000 in non-trucking liability

Texas

• $750,000 in liability
• $100,000 in cargo
• No additional state-specific requirements

Florida

• $1 million in liability
• $100,000 in cargo
• Must also have $50,000 in non-trucking liability

New York

• $1 million in liability
• $100,000 in cargo
• Plus $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

Illinois

• $1 million in liability
• $100,000 in cargo
• No other specific requirements

The moral of the story? Don't assume the federal minimums will be enough. Make sure you have the right coverage for your specific state and operations.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

Beyond the state-specific insurance requirements, there are a few other key things new authority truckers and owner-ops need to know:

Cargo Insurance

Cargo insurance protects your customer's freight in case of theft, damage, or loss. Most brokers and shippers will require you to have a current cargo insurance COI (certificate of insurance) on file before they'll work with you.

Primary Liability

This is your bread-and-butter coverage that protects you if you cause an accident or damage someone else's property. It's the most important part of your trucking insurance package.

Bobtail/Non-Trucking Liability

This coverage kicks in when your truck is being used for personal reasons, not for hauling cargo. It's required in some states and a good idea even if it's not mandatory.

Motor Truck Cargo Legal Liability

This protects you if your customer sues you for the value of lost or damaged cargo, beyond what your normal cargo insurance covers.

The right trucking insurance package can make or break your new authority or owner-op business. Do your research, talk to an expert, and make sure you have the coverage you need.

Questions about your trucking insurance? Call or text 541-681-8793 or visit GetBigRigInsurance.com.