Requirements
DOT & FMCSA insurance filings
MCS-90, BMC-91, BMC-91X, BMC-84, BMC-85, and Form H — what they are and why they matter.
Every filing, in plain English
MCS-90
Endorsement on your liability policy that guarantees the FMCSA public financial responsibility limits. Required for for-hire interstate motor carriers.
BMC-91 / BMC-91X
Notice of financial responsibility filed by your insurer to the FMCSA — the electronic proof that MCS-90 is in force. Required for authority to activate.
BMC-84
$75,000 surety bond required for property brokers.
BMC-85
$75,000 trust fund alternative to BMC-84 for property brokers.
Form E
State-level equivalent (WA UTC, OR, CA and others). Required for intrastate authority.
Form H
Cancellation notice provisions — how insurers notify the state when coverage lapses.
Order of operations for new authority
- Get MC number issued by FMCSA
- Bind liability policy with MCS-90
- Insurer files BMC-91 electronically
- For brokers: bind BMC-84 bond or fund BMC-85 trust
- FMCSA verifies filings — usually 3–7 business days
- Authority activates in FMCSA system
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