Quick checklist
- BIPD and cargo insurance both show as on file.
- Required amount meets or exceeds the $750k floor.
- A current certificate of insurance is confirmed with the agent.
What FMCSA shows
FMCSA's Licensing & Insurance records show whether a carrier has BIPD (bodily injury and property damage) and cargo insurance on file, the required amounts, and the filing status. 'On file' means an insurer has filed proof with FMCSA — it is not a real-time guarantee the policy is paid and active today.
The $750k cargo floor
For most general freight, federal rules require a minimum of $750,000 in coverage. If the required or on-file amount sits below that, treat it as a flag and confirm a certificate of insurance directly with the carrier's agent before tendering.
Why monitoring matters
Insurance can lapse between the day you vet a carrier and the day they haul for you again. Continuous monitoring catches a lapse the day it appears in FMCSA records instead of after a claim.
Verify a carrier now
Run a free FMCSA lookup by USDOT, MC number or company name. Then put the carriers you book on watch and get alerted the moment one changes.
Data sourced from public FMCSA/SAFER records. CarrierSentry is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. DOT or FMCSA. Verify at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before making business decisions.