South Carolina 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. See the new authority guide.

Hauling for hire inside South Carolina: the COC

State law says no for-hire motor carrier of property — other than carriers of household goods or hazardous waste for disposal — may operate in South Carolina without a Class E Certificate of Compliance from SCDMV. There are two classes:

E-L

For commodities of extremely low value, such as dump-truck commodities. SCDMV decides which commodities qualify, and they do not require cargo insurance.

E-LC

For carriers insured to carry any cargo. SCDMV lists a $5,000 cargo limit per vehicle.

A new application costs $25; renewals are free. The name on the application must match your insurance filings and your articles with the South Carolina Secretary of State exactly — SCDMV rejects applications with any difference.

South Carolina insurance minimums for a COC

Freight vehicles 10,000 lbs GVWR or more

$750,000 (non-hazardous) · $5,000,000 (hazardous)

Freight vehicles under 10,000 lbs GVWR

$300,000 (non-hazardous) · $5,000,000 (hazardous)

Cargo (E-LC only)

$5,000 per vehicle, per SCDMV

Proof comes from your insurance company, not your agent: it files a Form E for liability and, if cargo coverage is required, a Form H. SCDMV does not accept an ACORD certificate of insurance.

Movers and hazardous waste haulers

Carriers of household goods and of hazardous waste for disposal are not covered by the COC. They need a certificate from the Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS), which monitors their insurance and oversees their rates, charges and practices.

Road Use Fee and other costs

South Carolina collects a Road Use Fee on vehicles over 26,000 lbs — intrastate as well as interstate — with registration. Intrastate trucks of 26,001 lbs or more can pay registration and the Road Use Fee in quarterly installments. Interstate trucks also need IRP plates and IFTA when they meet the weight or axle thresholds.

Getting truck insurance quotes in South Carolina

• USDOT number (FMCSA lists South Carolina among states requiring it for intrastate carriers), plus MC if you haul interstate for hire.
• The exact legal name on file with the SC Secretary of State — your filings must match it.
• Which COC class fits your loads: E-L (low-value dump commodities) or E-LC (any cargo).
• For each truck: VIN, year, make, model and GVWR — the 10,000-lb line sets $300,000 or $750,000.
• Drivers’ license details and experience, and loss runs from recent insurers.

Hauling sand, gravel or asphalt? See the dump truck guide.