Primary truck liability insurance pays for bodily injury and property damage claims when your truck is at fault. It’s the coverage FMCSA requires before your MC authority can move a load. See our guide to carrier liability insurance for the full regulatory background.
It pays for bodily injury, property damage, and legal defense costs. It doesn’t cover your own truck or the freight you’re hauling. It’s also distinct from general liability, which covers non-vehicle risks instead.
Primary Liability Coverage Alvix Provides
- Combined single limit (CSL) up to $5,000,000
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP), where your state requires it
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage
- Any, Scheduled, Owned, Hired, and Non-Owned Autos coverage
- MCS-90 endorsement filed directly with FMCSA on every policy
What Primary Truck Liability Insurance Does Not Cover
- Your own truck, covered separately under physical damage
- The freight you’re hauling, covered under cargo insurance
- Personal use of the truck between loads, see non-trucking liability in our glossary
- Claims above your policy limit, covered by excess liability
Who Needs Primary Truck Liability Insurance
Any commercial truck operating for hire needs primary liability coverage before it can legally move freight. That includes new authorities, established fleets, and independent owner-operators alike.
- Owner-operators running their own authority
- Small and mid-size fleets
- New and first-time carriers activating an MC authority
Vehicle and Cargo Types Alvix Covers Under Primary Liability
Flatbed | Dump | Box | Tank | Reefer | Auto Hauler | Hot Shot | Logging | Cement
Cargo coverage extends to for-hire freight and local and regional hauling as well.
Primary Liability Rates by Vehicle Type
| Vehicle Type | Minimum Rate | Maximum Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Flatbed | $7,000/year | $22,000/year |
| Dump | $6,000/year | $18,000/year |
| Box | $3,000/year | $12,000/year |
| Tank | $11,000/year | $50,000/year |
| Reefer | $7,000/year | $25,000/year |
| Auto Hauler | $8,000/year | $30,000/year |
| Hot Shot | $5,000/year | $16,000/year |
| Logging | $8,000/year | $30,000/year |
| Cement | $6,000/year | $22,000/year |
Actual cost depends on your state, radius, and driving history, see the states we cover below.
States Where Alvix Writes Primary Liability Insurance
Florida | Texas | Georgia | South Carolina | North Carolina | Tennessee | Kentucky | Alabama | Louisiana | Arkansas | Mississippi | Illinois | Indiana | Ohio | Pennsylvania | West Virginia | New Jersey | Kansas | Missouri | Oklahoma | Colorado | Nevada | New Mexico
Primary Truck Liability Insurance FAQ
1. What does primary truck liability insurance cover?
It pays for bodily injury and property damage your truck causes to others, plus legal defense costs. It doesn’t cover your own truck or cargo.
2. What's the minimum liability coverage required for trucking?
$750,000 for general freight under federal law, up to $5,000,000 for hazmat or passenger-carrying operations. Most brokers require at least $1,000,000.
3. Does primary liability cover my cargo or my own truck?
No. Cargo needs its own cargo insurance policy, and your truck needs physical damage coverage. Primary liability only covers damage to others.
4. Do I need non-trucking liability in addition to primary liability?
Only if your motor carrier’s policy doesn’t already cover personal, off-dispatch use of the truck. If it does, a separate endorsement usually duplicates that cost.
5. What vehicle types can Alvix cover under a primary liability policy?
Flatbeds, dump trucks, box trucks, tank trucks, reefers, auto haulers, hot shot rigs, logging trucks, and cement trucks, each priced around the actual operation.
