How much insurance are trucks required to have in Texas?

Texas requires trucking companies to file proof of insurance for all their registered vehicles. These are special insurance policies for commercial vehicles.

Federal and Texas-state laws require motor carriers to have certain minimum amounts of insurance coverage. These depend on the vehicle and cargo:

Commercial Truck Insurance

Commercial Truck liability insurance is meant to pay for bodily injuries and property damage suffered by the victim of a trucking accident. This might include medical bills and car repairs, as well as lost wages, and the cost of ongoing therapy or pain and suffering.

In general heavier trucks can cause more damage and destruction, and are required to have more insurance.

In addition, trucks carrying more dangerous cargo (like dynamite) are required to have much bigger insurance policies.

Here is a chart of the requirements:

Type of TruckCargoInsurance Coverage Required
For-hire
Gross Vehicle Weight of 10,001 pounds or more		Non-hazardous Property$750,000
For-hire and Private
Gross Vehicle Weight of 10,001 pounds or more		Hazardous substances (as defined in 49 CFR 171.8)$5,000,000
In interstate / foreign commerce, regardless of weight
If driving within a state, Gross Vehicle Weight of 10,001 pounds or more		Oil (as listed in 49 CFR 172.101)
Hazardous materials not covered above or below		$1,000,000
For-hire and Private
In interstate or foreign commerce, with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 10,001 pounds)		Hazardous materials as defined in 49 CFR 173.403$5,000,000

Large Passenger Vehicles

Other than 18-wheelers, some large passenger vehicles (like commercial buses) also have commercial insurance requirements.

Driving LocationNumber of PassengersInsurance Coverage Required
Interstate16 or More People$5,000,000
Interstate15 or Fewer People$1,500,000

Note: Certain small commercial vehicles, like taxis and airport shuttles, have different insurance requirements. If you have been injured in an auto accident involving a taxi or rideshare, you can find out more information here.

Small Commercial Trucks

Smaller trucks that operate as commercial vehicles generally have smaller insurance requirements. For example, trucks carrying only household goods as cargo need $300,000.

Commercial Trucking Cargo Insurance

  • Commercial truck companies (known as “motor carriers”) are required to have insurance to cover damage and losses to their cargo.
  • Loss or damage to a single customer’s cargo – $5,000
  • Loss or damage to multiple customers’ cargo – $10,000

Commercial Trucking Employee Insurance

Commercial truck companies must also have minimum insurance for injuries to their employees (workers’ compensation insurance):

  • $300,000 for medical expenses for at least 104 weeks
  • $100,000 for accidental death or dismemberment – including 70% of the employee’s pre-injury income for at least 104 weeks
  • $500 for a maximum weekly benefit