Indiana truck insurance

Hauling across state lines

Interstate for-hire freight needs the federal set: USDOT number, operating authority (MC), BMC-91 or BMC-91X filed with FMCSA by your insurer, a BOC-3 and at least $750,000 of liability for general freight in vehicles rated 10,001 lbs GVWR or more. DOR reminds carriers that a for-hire carrier that leaves the state needs an MC number from FMCSA. See the new authority guide.

Hauling inside Indiana: USDOT, Indiana ID and Form E

Indiana’s own operating authority — a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity — is for carriers of household goods and passengers for hire. For other carriers working inside the state, the Department of Revenue ties insurance to your identification number:

• intrastate for-hire carriers (hauling someone else’s property) and private carriers of hazardous materials must have a Form E Indiana on file with DOR’s Motor Carrier Services — your insurance company files it;
• a USDOT number is needed for commercial motor vehicles of 10,001 lbs or more (GVWR, GCWR or actual weight), in interstate or intrastate commerce, and its renewal needs proof of insurance;
• intrastate for-hire carriers with vehicles under 10,000 lbs GVWR use an Indiana ID number;
• exempt from the USDOT number: farm-plated trucks and trailers that don’t cross the state line, and private carriers staying in Indiana with non-hazardous loads under 26,000 lbs.

Indiana insurance minimums

For-hire, non-hazardous, 10,001 lbs GVWR or more

$750,000

For-hire, non-hazardous, 10,000 lbs GVWR or less

$300,000

Hazardous materials, private or for-hire

$1,000,000 to $5,000,000, depending on the material

These are the figures in DOR’s Commercial Motor Vehicle Guide. A for-hire carrier with an MC number also has its insurer file the federal proof of insurance with FMCSA.

Safety rules, fuel tax and registration

• Safety rules. Indiana has adopted the federal safety regulations — including Parts 382, 383, 385, 386, 387, 390–393 and 395–398 — and the hazardous materials rules for commercial motor vehicles of 10,001 lbs or more. Since March 2010, intrastate, not-for-hire vehicles that don’t require a CDL are exempt from the federal safety rules entirely (IC 8-2.1-24-3(6)).
• Fuel tax. Intrastate carriers report the Indiana Motor Carrier Fuel Tax (MCFT); interstate carriers use IFTA.
• IRP. A vehicle used in two or more jurisdictions registers under IRP when it is a two-axle power unit over 26,000 lbs, has three or more axles, or runs in a combination over 26,000 lbs.

Getting truck insurance quotes in Indiana

• USDOT or Indiana ID number, and MC number if you haul interstate for hire.
• For-hire or private, and whether you haul hazardous materials — both decide whether you need a Form E.
• For each truck: VIN, year, make, model and GVWR.
• Drivers’ license details and experience, and loss runs from recent insurers.
• Contract insurance requirements and certificate holders.

Running into Illinois or Ohio too? See the Illinois and Ohio guides.