Glossary
MCS-90
A federal endorsement on a trucker's liability policy that guarantees payment of judgments to the public up to the federal minimum, even for excluded losses.
Also called: MCS-90 endorsement, Form MCS-90, motor carrier public liability endorsement
The MCS-90 is the Endorsement for Motor Carrier Policies of Insurance for Public Liability, required under the Motor Carrier Act of 1980 and 49 CFR Part 387. It is the standard proof of financial responsibility for for-hire motor carriers. The federal minimums for vehicles of 10,001 pounds or more are $750,000 for non-hazardous freight, $1 million for oil and many hazardous materials, and $5 million for the most dangerous loads (49 CFR 387.9, unchanged since 1985; checked October 2026). A surety bond on Form MCS-82 is the alternative.
The endorsement is unusual because it is a promise to the public, not coverage for the insured. Say a driver injures a motorist and the policy excludes the accident, perhaps because the truck was not a covered auto. The insurer must still pay the final judgment up to the federal minimum, then seek reimbursement from the trucker. Courts generally treat it as a surety-like obligation to injured members of the public.
Two points confuse owners: the MCS-90 does not make an excluded loss covered for you, and it can leave you owing your own insurer. Some carriers also attach it to non-carrier policies where a state or contract requires it. The guides on the MCS-90 endorsement and FMCSA insurance requirements and filings for motor carriers cover the filings.
Last reviewed October 10, 2026