Insurance Requirements for Interstate Movers
Interstate Moving Companies and Interstate Van Lines are referred to as Interstate HHG Carriers.
For interstate Household Goods (HHG) carriers in the United States, the required insurance is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Companies that move household goods across state lines must have specific insurance filings before they can receive operating authority.
1. Auto Liability Insurance (Required)Interstate HHG carriers must carry public liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage.
Minimum required coverage:
$750,000 – most household goods carriers operating commercial trucks
This is filed with FMCSA using Form BMC-91 or BMC-91X.
2. Cargo Insurance (Required for HHG carriers)Unlike many other trucking operations, household goods carriers are required to carry cargo insurance.
Minimum:
$5,000 per vehicle
$10,000 per occurrence
Filed with FMCSA using Form BMC-34.
3. Surety Bond or Trust Fund (Required for Brokers/Forwarders)If the company also acts as a broker or freight forwarder, they must have:
$75,000 bond or trust fund
Filed as BMC-84 (bond) or BMC-85 (trust fund).
4. Workers’ CompensationRequired by state law, not FMCSA, if the company has employees.
5. General Liability (Common but Not Federally Required)Not required by FMCSA but strongly recommended because it covers:
Property damage at customer homes
Slip and fall claims
Legal defense
Typical limits:
$1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate
6. Umbrella / Excess Liability (Recommended)Many shippers and contracts require additional limits such as:
$1M – $5M umbrella coverage
SummaryAn interstate HHG carrier typically needs:
Insurance Type Required Typical LimitAuto Liability Yes $750,000Cargo Yes (HHG only) $5k vehicle / $10k occurrenceBroker Bond (if broker) Yes $75,000Workers Comp State required VariesGeneral Liability Recommended $1MUmbrella Recommended $1M–$5M✅ Important: These filings must be submitted to FMCSA before authority is granted.
1. Auto Liability Insurance (Required)Interstate HHG carriers must carry public liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage.
Minimum required coverage:
$750,000 – most household goods carriers operating commercial trucks
This is filed with FMCSA using Form BMC-91 or BMC-91X.
2. Cargo Insurance (Required for HHG carriers)Unlike many other trucking operations, household goods carriers are required to carry cargo insurance.
Minimum:
$5,000 per vehicle
$10,000 per occurrence
Filed with FMCSA using Form BMC-34.
3. Surety Bond or Trust Fund (Required for Brokers/Forwarders)If the company also acts as a broker or freight forwarder, they must have:
$75,000 bond or trust fund
Filed as BMC-84 (bond) or BMC-85 (trust fund).
4. Workers’ CompensationRequired by state law, not FMCSA, if the company has employees.
5. General Liability (Common but Not Federally Required)Not required by FMCSA but strongly recommended because it covers:
Property damage at customer homes
Slip and fall claims
Legal defense
Typical limits:
$1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate
6. Umbrella / Excess Liability (Recommended)Many shippers and contracts require additional limits such as:
$1M – $5M umbrella coverage
SummaryAn interstate HHG carrier typically needs:
Insurance Type Required Typical LimitAuto Liability Yes $750,000Cargo Yes (HHG only) $5k vehicle / $10k occurrenceBroker Bond (if broker) Yes $75,000Workers Comp State required VariesGeneral Liability Recommended $1MUmbrella Recommended $1M–$5M✅ Important: These filings must be submitted to FMCSA before authority is granted.
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