Guides

Intrastate trucking insurance requirements by state

Liability minimums, Part 387 adoption, Form E/H filings, regulators and USDOT number rules for in-state for-hire truckers in all 50 states and DC.

4BusinessInsurance · Published October 10, 2026

A truck that never leaves its home state is not under the FMCSA's $750,000 minimum. The state sets the rules, and they vary a lot. Some states adopt 49 CFR Part 387 by reference, some write their own schedules (New Jersey requires $1.5 million for heavy trucks, Texas $500,000), and a few, including Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota and South Carolina, have deregulated general freight. Once deregulated, the state only requires its ordinary auto minimum. This guide sets out, state by state, the minimum, the filing and the agency, based on the statutes, regulations and agency pages we opened in October 2026.

How to read the table

"Intrastate" means the trip, the cargo and the movement all stay inside one state. If a load is part of a longer interstate move, the federal rules can apply even when the truck never crosses a state line. That question is a legal one; see FMCSA insurance requirements and filings for motor carriers.

The columns:

  • Adopts federal limits? "Yes" means the state's rule incorporates 49 CFR Part 387, so the federal $750,000 / $1 million / $5 million schedule applies in-state. "Partial" means it applies only to some carriers (hazmat, heavier trucks) or the state overrides the amounts. "No" means the state writes its own figures.
  • Intrastate property-carrier minimum. Amounts are written either as split limits (bodily injury per person / bodily injury per accident / property damage) or as a combined single limit (CSL). Household goods (HHG) and hazmat figures appear only where the state sets its own.
  • Filing. Form E is the uniform certificate of liability insurance an insurer files with a state, Form H is the cargo version, and Form K cancels a filing. Many states use these forms.

A cell reads "not verified" when we could not open a primary source for it. That means we have no confirmed answer, not that the state has no rule. Verify those cells with the agency directly.

State-by-state table

State Adopts federal limits? Intrastate property-carrier minimum Filing Agency
Alabama Not verified $100,000/$300,000 BI, $50,000 PD, or $350,000 combined; $5,000 cargo Not verified (PSC supplies forms on request) Alabama Public Service Commission, Motor Carrier Section
Alaska Partial: 17 AAC 25.210 adopts Part 387 but substitutes state amounts for Alaska-only carriers, except listed hazmat $500,000 BI and $200,000 PD per occurrence (AS 19.10.300) Policy, certificate, bond or self-insurance filed with "the department" Not verified (statute names "the department")
Arizona No (R17-5-202 omits Part 387) Vehicles over 20,000 lbs: $300,000 (20,001-26,000 lbs), $750,000 (over 26,000 lbs); hazmat $1M or $5M (A.R.S. 28-4033) Insurer electronic report, Form E naming ADOT, policy, binder or ACORD certificate; FMCSA filers exempt unless asked Arizona Department of Transportation
Arkansas Not verified $50,000/$100,000/$30,000 Certificate of insurance or ACORD with forms AR-RS1 and AR-RS2 Arkansas DOT, Legal Division
California Partial: hazmat tiers follow Part 387 $750,000 CSL; $300,000 if all vehicles under 10,000 lbs; hazmat $1M or $5M; household movers $600,000 CSL plus $20,000 cargo DMV form MC 65 M (MC 131 M for self-insurance) DMV Motor Carrier Permit unit; Bureau of Household Goods and Services for movers
Colorado Yes, with exceptions (387.9 item 4 is interstate only) Part 387 levels for vehicles of 16,001 lbs or more; cargo $10,000 or the load's value if lower Movers: insurer files through the PUC portal; freight filing not verified Colorado State Patrol, Motor Carrier Safety; PUC for movers
Connecticut Yes (C.G.S. 14-163d), vehicles of 18,001 lbs or more $750,000 nonhazardous; hazmat $1M or $5M Annual ACORD certificate to DMV, or DMV electronic verification Connecticut DMV (DOT regulates movers)
Delaware Yes (21 Del. C. 4702) for intrastate vehicles over 26,000 lbs and placarded hazmat Part 387 levels; no state figure found Not verified Not verified (State Police enforce)
District of Columbia Not verified Not verified Not verified Not verified
Florida Partial: vehicles already subject to Part 387 carry its amounts (Fla. Stat. 627.7415(4)) CSL $50,000 (26,000 to under 35,000 lbs), $100,000 (35,000 to under 44,000 lbs), $300,000 (44,000 lbs or more); movers add $10,000 cargo No state filing found for freight; movers give a certificate of insurance FLHSMV and Florida Highway Patrol
Georgia Partial: Revenue rule 560-10-31 defines required liability by reference to Part 387 Certificated carriers: $100,000/$300,000 BI, $50,000 PD, cargo $25,000/$50,000 Form E (Form K to cancel); NARUC E, H and K accepted Department of Public Safety, Motor Carrier Compliance Division
Hawaii No (HAR 6-62-8) $250,000/$750,000 BI, $250,000 PD Not verified Hawaii Public Utilities Commission
Idaho Partial: Part 387 adopted; property carriers 10,001-26,000 lbs excluded Part 387 levels over 26,000 lbs Not verified Idaho State Police (safety); filing agency not verified
Illinois Yes, frozen editions (1990 federal amounts; HHG at 387.303 as of Oct. 1, 2023) Federal table amounts Form E (liability), Form H (cargo) Illinois Commerce Commission
Indiana Yes $750,000; $300,000 if all vehicles are 10,000 lbs or less; hazmat $1M or $5M Indiana Form E Department of Revenue, Motor Carrier Services
Iowa Yes (Iowa Code 325A.6) Part 387 levels Certificate or bond on a DOT-prescribed form, filed electronically Iowa DOT, Motor Vehicle Division
Kansas Yes (K.A.R. 82-4-3n) Statutory floor $100,000/$300,000/$50,000 (K.S.A. 66-1,128), with Part 387 adopted Form E; Form K to cancel Kansas Corporation Commission
Kentucky Partial: KRS 281.655(11) authorizes adoption; adopting rule not verified $100,000/$300,000/$50,000 at 18,000 lbs or less; $100,000/$600,000/$50,000 over 18,000 lbs; hazmat $1M CSL Form E Transportation Cabinet, Division of Motor Carriers
Louisiana No General freight deregulated (PSC covers HHG, passengers, waste); HHG $250,000/$500,000 BI, $10,000 PD or $510,000 CSL, cargo $50,000/$100,000 HHG: Form E and Form H; none for freight Louisiana Public Service Commission (HHG)
Maine No $750,000 CSL for intrastate commercial motor vehicles (29-A MRSA 1611(2)(G), added 2025); $350,000 CSL for for-hire freight in exempt service Insurance shown to the Secretary of State at registration; form not verified Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Maryland Partial: COMAR 11.21.01 adopts Part 387 for placardable hazmat and 16+ passengers; Transp. 25-111.1 allows rules consistent with Part 387 for for-hire vehicles over 26,000 lbs No separate state freight figure found Not verified Not verified (SHA issues carrier numbers)
Massachusetts Not verified No dollar figure in 220 CMR 260.01 ("adequate" cargo insurance) Not verified Department of Public Utilities
Michigan Yes (MCL 480.11a) for 26,001+ lbs, placarded hazmat, 16+ passengers Part 387 levels: $750,000 nonhazardous, $1M or $5M hazmat Certificate of liability plus Form E; Form H for HHG Michigan State Police, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division
Minnesota Partial: hazmat at 387.9 amounts $100,000/$300,000 BI, $50,000 PD; HHG adds $50,000 cargo Form E; HHG Form H or Form J bond MnDOT, Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations
Mississippi Partial: MDOT says the minimum is the same as Part 387 $750,000; hazmat $1M or $5M; cargo $5,000 (3 tons or less) or $10,000 Not verified Mississippi DOT, Office of Enforcement
Missouri No (own amounts; hazmat tiers mirror federal) $100,000/$300,000 BI, $50,000 PD; hazmat $1M or $5M Form E, or Form G bond MoDOT Motor Carrier Services
Montana Partial: 387.7 and 387.9 apply only to interstate for-hire General freight deregulated; general auto minimum 25/50/20 (MCA 61-6-103) None for general freight Montana DOT; PSC for HHG, passengers and garbage
Nebraska Yes (Neb. Rev. Stat. 75-363), vehicles over 10,000 lbs Part 387 levels; HHG $750,000 plus $5,000 cargo HHG: Form E or G and Form H or J with the PSC; freight not verified Public Service Commission (HHG); State Patrol Carrier Enforcement
Nevada Partial: NAC 706.297 adopts Part 387; federal amounts govern if higher $300,000 (10,001-26,000 lbs); $750,000 (26,001-80,000 lbs); cargo $15,000/$30,000 Form E; Form H for cargo Nevada DMV, Motor Carrier
New Hampshire Partial: 387.9 for hazmat (Saf-C 908.01) No intrastate for-hire figure found; financial-responsibility minimum 25/50/25 Not verified Department of Safety
New Jersey Yes (N.J.A.C. 13:60-1.3) Since July 1, 2024: $1,500,000 CSL at 26,001+ lbs, $300,000 CSL at 10,001-26,000 lbs; movers $25,000/$100,000 BI, $10,000 PD, cargo $25,000/$50,000 Movers file a certificate with the Director; freight not verified State Police (safety); DOBI (minimums); Consumer Affairs (movers)
New Mexico Yes (18.3.3.10 NMAC) at 10,001+ lbs Part 387 levels; $750,000 CSL at 10,000 lbs or less; HHG adds $50,000 cargo Form E, Form H, Form K Public Regulation Commission, Transportation Division
New York No (17 NYCRR 855.1) $100,000/$300,000 BI, $50,000 PD; cargo $5,000/$10,000 Form E by insurer; Form H for HHG; ACORD not accepted NYSDOT Office of Modal Safety and Security
North Carolina Partial: G.S. 20-309(a1) requires the 387.9 nonhazardous amount $750,000 for commercial motor vehicles (26,001+ lb combinations, Class B, placarded hazmat) Not verified NC DMV; Utilities Commission for certain carriers
North Dakota Partial: Part 387 adopted; intrastate 26,000 lbs or less exempt General freight deregulated; hazmat at Part 387 levels No state filing North Dakota Highway Patrol
Ohio Yes (OAC 4901:2-5-03); amounts in 4901:2-13-03 $750,000; $300,000 if only vehicles under 10,001 lbs; hazmat $1M or $5M; HHG cargo $5,000/$10,000 Insurer files evidence of security with PUCO; form name not verified Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
Oklahoma Yes (OAC 165:30-3-11(b)) with state tiers $750,000 at 10,000+ lbs; $300,000 under; $350,000 for sand, gravel, farm and forest products, livestock; HHG $750,000 plus cargo $5,000/$10,000 Form E or G; Form H or J; Form K or L Corporation Commission, Transportation Division
Oregon Partial: hazmat in certain vehicles $750,000 CSL (OAR 740-040-0020); cargo $10,000 where required Form E and Form H by insurer; FMCSA filing accepted ODOT Commerce and Compliance Division
Pennsylvania No (67 Pa. Code ch. 231 omits Part 387) $300,000 at 10,000 lbs or less; $750,000 over; cargo $5,000 Certificate in the PUC's prescribed form Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
Rhode Island Not verified $250,000/$500,000 BI, $25,000 PD, $25,000 cargo; $100,000 bond alternative Certificate of insurance with the administrator, $10 fee Administrator under R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 39-12 (agency page not opened)
South Carolina Not verified General freight deregulated in 2022; general minimum 25/50/25; HHG $500,000 under 10,000 lbs, $750,000 at 10,000+, cargo $2,500/$5,000 Form E and Form H (HHG and hazardous waste) Public Service Commission and Office of Regulatory Staff
South Dakota Yes (SDCL 49-28A-3) Part 387 levels No state filing found Highway Patrol, Motor Carrier Services
Tennessee No (own schedule mirroring federal) $750,000 at 10,000+ lbs; $300,000 under; hazmat $1M or $5M; cargo $5,000/$10,000 Form E; Form H Department of Revenue (intrastate authority)
Texas Partial: Part 387 only for foreign vehicles (43 TAC 218.16) $500,000 over 26,000 lbs; HHG under 26,000 lbs $300,000; hazmat $1M or $5M; HHG cargo $5,000/$10,000 Form E, Form H or I, Form K in TxMCCS Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
Utah Yes (R909-1-3) at 26,001+ lbs or placarded hazmat Part 387 levels; R909-1-4 adds $750,000 for private carriers, $1M plus MCS-90 for oil and hazmat Not verified UDOT Motor Carrier
Vermont No (adopts Parts 390-397 and 399 only) No for-hire regime found; general minimum 25/50/10 None found Vermont DMV
Virginia No $300,000 (7,501-10,000 lbs); $750,000 over 10,000 lbs; HHG $750,000 plus $50,000 cargo and $50,000 bond Form E and Form H by insurer Virginia DMV, Motor Carrier Services
Washington Partial: WSP safety rule adopts Part 387; UTC sets its own amounts $300,000 under 10,000 lbs; $750,000 at 10,000+; hazmat $1M or $5M; HHG $300,000/$750,000 Form E or Form G bond; Form K Utilities and Transportation Commission
West Virginia Partial: Part 387 adopted, but state Rule 3 governs nonhazardous for-hire Rule 150-9-3 lists $200,000 for nonhazardous freight (column split not verified); hazmat at 387.9; cargo $20,000 under 10,000 lbs PSC Forms 24-A, 25 and 63 Public Service Commission, Transportation Division
Wisconsin No (Trans 176.06, amounts match federal) $300,000 at 10,000 lbs or less; $750,000 over; hazmat $1M or $5M Form E or EX with F or FX, or S-1, via CaTS; BMC-91X accepted WisDOT Motor Carrier Services
Wyoming Yes (WYDOT rules ch. 1, sec. 9) $750,000 CSL; cargo $10,000 ($5,000 mobile homes) Form E, Form H, MC61E WYDOT Motor Carrier

Intrastate USDOT numbers

Whether an in-state carrier needs a USDOT number is a separate question from insurance, and the states again differ. The rules we found:

  • Required (threshold where stated): Alaska; California (before a CA number is issued); Connecticut (18,001 lbs); Florida (vehicles under 26,001 lbs not hauling placarded loads are exempt); Georgia; Idaho (26,001 lbs); Indiana (a USDOT or Indiana ID number); Kentucky (10,001 lbs); Maryland (over 10,000 lbs, or a free Maryland-issued number for intrastate-only carriers); Massachusetts (10,001 lbs, since Sept. 1, 2018); Michigan (over 26,001 lbs); Minnesota (for-hire carriers of any weight, private carriers over 10,000 lbs); Missouri and Oklahoma (as a condition of intrastate authority); Montana and Wyoming (displayed as "USDOT ... MT" or "WY"); New Jersey and New York (10,001 lbs); New Mexico (a state safety ID at 26,001 lbs, displayed after "USDOT"); North Carolina (over 26,000 lbs, displayed with "NC"); Oregon (over 10,000 lbs); Texas (needed before the TxDMV number); West Virginia (USDOT or PSC ID, 10,001 lbs); Wisconsin (10,001 lbs).
  • Not required by state rule: North Dakota (only carriers that need a federal hazmat safety permit) and Pennsylvania (67 Pa. Code 231.8 deletes 49 CFR 390.19 for intrastate carriers).
  • Conditional: Iowa requires a USDOT number "if required by" FMCSA; in Kansas, commercial vehicles display one unless an exception applies; Maine's State Police "may require" one by rule.
  • Not verified: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, DC, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.

How intrastate rules differ from interstate

For a for-hire carrier in interstate commerce with a vehicle of 10,001 lbs GVWR or more hauling nonhazardous freight, 49 CFR 387.9 sets a $750,000 minimum. Oil and most hazardous materials require $1 million. Certain bulk and high-hazard materials require $5 million, and that $5 million tier reaches intrastate carriers as well. Those amounts have not changed since 1985. Proof of coverage is the MCS-90 endorsement, an MCS-82 surety bond or FMCSA self-insurance approval (49 CFR 387.7). Details are in FMCSA insurance requirements and filings for motor carriers and The MCS-90 endorsement explained: what it guarantees and what it doesn't.

Four practical differences matter for an in-state hauler:

  1. The amount can be lower or higher. New York's 100/300/50 split limits and Kentucky's 100/600/50 at heavier weights are below $750,000. New Jersey's $1.5 million CSL for 26,001 lbs and up is twice the federal figure. A policy written to the federal minimum can still fall short in New Jersey.
  2. The filing goes to the state, not FMCSA. A Form E with the state regulator is a separate filing from the BMC-91X with FMCSA. Several states accept a federal filing in its place (Oregon, Wisconsin, Arizona), but most do not. Cancelling a Form E typically takes a Form K and the state's notice period (policy cancellation and nonrenewal: notice periods and your rights).
  3. The MCS-90 is a federal endorsement. Its surety-style obligation to the public attaches to interstate transportation. Some states use their own endorsement or form, and Utah's R909-1-4 expressly calls for an MCS-90 on intrastate oil and hazmat. Read the endorsement schedule on the policy rather than assuming.
  4. Cargo is often mandatory in-state. Federal rules no longer require cargo insurance for most general freight carriers. Many states still do: New York, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Wyoming and others, and nearly every state that regulates household goods movers. See motor truck cargo insurance: how it works and where it stops and Moving company insurance.

A checklist before your first in-state load

  1. Confirm the work is truly intrastate. Freight that continues across a state line on the same shipment can be interstate commerce.
  2. Look up your state's row above and read the source. Where a cell says "not verified", call the agency.
  3. Match the policy's liability limit to the state minimum for your heaviest unit, and add cargo where required.
  4. Have the insurer file the state form (often Form E, and Form H for cargo) and keep the filing confirmation.
  5. Get the USDOT number or state ID your state requires before running.
  6. Add these requirements to your renewal calendar. New Jersey's July 2024 increase and Maine's 2025 amendment show these figures do change.

Your commercial auto insurance: what it covers and what it leaves out policy, written for a trucking account (Trucking company insurance, trucking insurance: the coverages motor carriers need), has to satisfy both the state rule and whatever higher limit your shippers write into contracts. State minimums are a legal floor, not a recommended limit.

Key takeaways

  • The FMCSA's $750,000 minimum is federal and applies to interstate commerce; in-state carriers follow state law, which ranges from a plain auto minimum to $1.5 million.
  • Many states adopt 49 CFR Part 387 by reference, fully or partly. Others, including New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia, set their own amounts.
  • Form E (liability) and Form H (cargo) filings with the state regulator are the most common proof. The federal MCS-90 and BMC-91X do not replace them in most states.
  • Intrastate USDOT number rules differ by state and weight threshold. Confirm yours before operating.
  • Cells marked "not verified" need a call to the state agency; a licensed broker can confirm the filing your state accepts.

Sources by state

Federal: 49 CFR 387.9 (govinfo); 49 CFR 387.9 (eCFR).

Terms used in this guide

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. Combined single limit One dollar cap per accident on everything a liability policy pays for injuries and property damage together, instead of separate caps for each. Motor truck cargo Coverage for a trucker's legal liability when a customer's freight is lost, stolen or damaged while in the carrier's care during transport. Certificate of insurance A one-page summary issued by an agent or insurer showing what coverage a business carried on the date issued, which confers no rights on the holder. Surety bond A three-party guarantee in which a surety promises an obligee that a principal will perform or pay, with the principal bound to repay the surety for any loss.

Related industries

Trucking company insurance What motor carriers need: liability to FMCSA minimums, MCS-90, cargo, physical damage, non-trucking cover and workers' comp, and what shippers demand. Moving company insurance What movers need: cargo and valuation liability under 49 CFR 375, auto liability, general liability, workers' comp and bailee cover, plus state mover rules.

Related tools

Workers' comp and benefits requirements by state Look up one state's workers' comp threshold, disability and paid leave programs, auto minimums and regulator, or compare two states side by side.

Related states

Texas Texas business insurance rules: workers' comp optional for most private employers, Texas Mutual as insurer of last resort, 30/60/25 auto, a 51% fault bar. California California business insurance rules: workers' comp from the first employee, employee-paid SDI and paid family leave, pure comparative fault, 30/60/15 auto. New Jersey New Jersey business insurance rules: workers' comp from the first employee, state TDI and Family Leave Insurance, 35/70/25 auto limits from 2026. New York New York business insurance rules: workers' comp, statutory disability and Paid Family Leave from the first employee, NYSIF, Labor Law 240, 25/50/10 auto. Ohio Ohio business insurance rules: workers' comp only through the state fund (BWC) or self-insurance from the first employee, stop-gap needed, 25/50/25 auto. Oklahoma Oklahoma business insurance rules: workers' comp from the first employee, a statutory assigned risk plan, 25/50/25 auto, a 50% fault bar and a 2025 damages cap.

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