Short-Term Truck Insurance and What Truckers Should Know
Some truckers look for short-term truck insurance to cover a few weeks of work or a single trip. Here is why a carrier with operating authority needs coverage that does not stop, what to do if you stop hauling for a season, how to get your authority back after a break, and why trip permits still need insurance.
Why Your Authority Needs Coverage That Does Not Stop
If you have operating authority, FMCSA needs your insurance filing on file to keep that authority active. FMCSA says a carrier that stops hauling still needs its insurance filings, unless it asks FMCSA to revoke its authority.
If a filing is cancelled and nothing replaces it, you no longer meet that requirement. Our post on no down payment truck insurance explains how much notice FMCSA gets before a filing can be cancelled.
If You Stop Hauling for a Season
FMCSA lets a carrier ask to revoke its own authority, and it says this is common for seasonal operators. Without authority, you can only haul inside one state, within a commercial zone, or in other operations that are exempt.
Getting Your Authority Back After a Break
To reinstate your authority, FMCSA must have your BOC-3 form, which names your process agents, and your insurance filing on file first. There is a reinstatement fee, and FMCSA says a reinstatement may not be processed right away. Set up your new policy before the date you plan to start hauling again.
Trip Permits Still Need Insurance
Some states sell temporary permits for commercial trucks. In Texas, for example, 72-hour and 144-hour permits for commercial trucks need a USDOT number and proof of liability insurance. Check the rules in each state you plan to run.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy
If someone offers you a short-term policy, ask these questions before you pay.
- Will the insurer file proof of coverage with FMCSA for my authority?
- What happens to my filing when the policy ends?
- Can I cancel early, and is any unused premium refunded?
- Would a standard policy fit my operation better?
Short-Term Truck Insurance FAQ
Does a voluntary revocation put me on an FMCSA monitoring list?
No. FMCSA says a voluntary revocation does not put a company on a special compliance monitoring list.
Does Fifty Bridges offer short-term truck insurance?
No. We work with standard policies, in the states where we are licensed. Options depend on your state and your operation.
Related Coverage
Learn more about Owner-Operator Insurance, Truck Liability Insurance and Commercial Truck Insurance. More articles are on the Fifty Bridges blog.
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