Requirements
Washington trucking insurance requirements
State and federal minimums, plus the coverages you'll actually need in practice.
Federal (FMCSA) minimums for for-hire interstate
- $750,000 liability for general freight
- $1,000,000 for oil/petroleum transport
- $5,000,000 for hazmat (Class A/B poisons, gases)
- MCS-90 endorsement on the liability policy
- BMC-91 or BMC-91X filed with the FMCSA
- BMC-84 or BMC-85 surety/trust for freight brokers
Washington intrastate (WA UTC) minimums
- $300,000 combined single limit for household goods movers
- $750,000 combined single limit for common carriers
- Form E filing with the WA UTC
- Form H cancellation notice provisions
What you'll actually carry (practical minimums)
Auto liability · $1,000,000
Standard limit customers, brokers, and shippers require on COIs.
Physical damage
Not required by FMCSA, but nearly always required by lenders or lienholders on financed equipment.
Motor truck cargo · $100K minimum
$100K is standard general freight. $250K common for reefer, electronics, pharma.
Non-trucking liability
Required when leased on to a motor carrier — covers you when not under dispatch.
Do I need an MCS-90 for intrastate WA?
No — the MCS-90 is federal (interstate for-hire regulated commodities). WA intrastate uses Form E through the UTC.
How long does it take to get filings on?
Progressive and Nationwide typically file MCS-90 and BMC-91 within 24–48 hours of binding. WA UTC Form E usually within 3 business days.
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