Trucking insurance in Arkansas

Arkansas intrastate trucking insurance requirements

When you are paid to transport property or passengers entirely inside the state, you qualify as a for-hire motor carrier and need to file for Arkansas intrastate operating authority. When the state officially says your company can carry freight for a fee, that permission is called operating authority. This authority is administered by the Arkansas Department of Transportation through its Legal Division's Little Rock motor carrier office.

Proof of liability coverage at $25,000, $50,000, and $75,000 limits is required by the Department of Finance and Administration for baseline state auto insurance. If your truck injures someone or damages their property in a crash, liability insurance pays for it. Commercial trucks bring much heavier risk than personal cars, so an insurance agent who handles motor carriers helps you line up state paperwork and coverage right the first time.

Federal filings and Arkansas commercial truck insurance

Hauling property past a state line means federal liability rules now govern you, depending on your truck weight rating and what you haul. For-hire carriers moving non-hazardous property in vehicles rated 10,001 lbs or heavier need at least $750,000 of liability. Fleets where every vehicle is under 10,001 lbs need at least $300,000 of liability.

A policy purchase is just half the work (until the federal government gets proof from your insurer, your authority stays inactive). The insurer you use must send one of these to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration: Form BMC-91, BMC-91X, or a BMC-82 bond. We recommend that new owners pick an insurance agent who handles truck authority filings weekly, because that keeps your BMC-91X submission from delaying your activation.

Do freight brokers ask for more than minimum Arkansas trucking insurance?

State or federal minimums make your truck legal for the highway. Freight brokers, though, write their own contract terms before offering you a load (and they review your insurance certificate before sending you out). C.H. Robinson, for instance, wants carriers to hold $1,000,000 of auto liability along with $100,000 of cargo liability.

Many brokered loads are out of reach if you carry only $750,000 in liability. Before you commit to a policy, an agent focused on commercial trucks can show how the cost of the legal minimum compares to a $1,000,000 policy that also includes $100,000 in cargo coverage.

Buying an Arkansas 72-hour trip permit

Vehicles from out of state that qualify for apportioned registration but aren't registered in Arkansas have to buy a 72-hour trip permit ($33.00). A plate program called apportioned registration divides your registration fees among the states where you drive. Working with a truck insurance agent who knows the business ensures your insurance proof and cab card agree before you reach a weigh station.

• Movement covered: The $33.00 permit gives you 72 hours to move through Arkansas, and it applies to both interstate and intrastate travel.
• Coming into the state: You can buy it at the first Arkansas port of entry.
• Locations in the state: Permits are also available at 134 state revenue offices, plus the weigh stations run by the Arkansas Highway Police.

Questions people ask