Federal insurance minimums
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules (49 CFR 387.9) set minimum public liability coverage for commercial motor carriers with vehicles of 10,001 pounds or more:
| Carrier and cargo | Minimum |
|---|---|
| For-hire, interstate, non-hazardous property | $750,000 |
| Oil and hazardous materials not in the top tier | $1,000,000 |
| Bulk hazardous substances, certain explosives, poison gases and radioactive materials | $5,000,000 |
For comparison, the highest state minimum for a passenger car is $100,000 per accident for all injuries. That difference is the main reason serious truck claims can settle for far more: there is simply more insurance available. Intrastate carriers can be subject to lower state requirements.
Who can be liable
- The driver, for unsafe driving, fatigue or impairment.
- The motor carrier, which is generally responsible for its drivers and for hiring, training, scheduling and maintenance.
- The owner of the trailer or tractor, if different from the carrier.
- A shipper or loader, for an overloaded or badly secured load.
- A maintenance company or manufacturer, for brake, tire or parts failures.
Evidence to preserve
Commercial trucks generate records a car crash does not: electronic logging device data and hours of service, engine and braking data, dispatch and GPS records, inspection and maintenance files, and the driver's qualification and testing files. Ask, in writing and early, that the carrier preserve them.
Valuing the claim
The building blocks are the same: medical bills, lost earnings, pain and suffering and your state's comparative fault rule. Use the settlement calculator with the serious or severe setting and enter the carrier's limit, usually at least $750,000, as the policy limit.
Frequently asked questions
Why are truck accident settlements larger than car accident settlements?
Mostly because of the injuries and the insurance. Heavy trucks cause more serious injuries, and interstate for-hire carriers must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage under federal rules, far more than the minimum for a car. There can also be several responsible parties: the driver, the motor carrier, a shipper or a maintenance company.
What is the minimum insurance for a semi truck?
For a for-hire carrier in interstate commerce hauling non-hazardous property in a vehicle of 10,001 pounds or more, $750,000 under 49 CFR 387.9. Carriers of certain hazardous materials must carry $1,000,000 or $5,000,000.
What evidence matters in a truck accident claim?
The truck's electronic logging device and engine data, the driver's hours of service records, inspection and maintenance records, the driver qualification file, and drug and alcohol test results. Send a written preservation letter to the carrier early, because some records are kept only for a limited time.
Sources
Checked November 5, 2026.