BMC-34 Cargo Filings and Motor Truck Cargo Insurance
Moving household goods across state lines? FMCSA requires proof of cargo insurance on file. Hauling general freight? Brokers will still ask for cargo limits. Start here.
Get a cargo insurance quote
Free BMC-34 Cargo Filing quote request. No obligation to buy.
- BMC-34 filing for household goods carriers
- Cargo limits brokers and shippers require
- Reefer breakdown and high-value options
Why request your BMC-34 Cargo Filing quote here
Know whether you need the filing
The federal cargo filing applies to household goods carriers. General freight carriers usually do not file cargo with FMCSA, but contracts still require coverage. An agent sorts out which applies.
Limits matched to contracts
Load boards and broker agreements often list a minimum cargo limit. Quotes can be set to that number with deductibles you choose.
Commodity-specific options
Refrigerated loads, electronics and vehicles can carry exclusions on basic cargo forms. Ask about reefer breakdown and higher-value endorsements.
Packaged with liability
Cargo is often quoted together with primary liability and physical damage so the whole program renews on one date.
How it works
Tell us what you haul
Describe your commodities, number of trucks and the cargo limit your customers ask for.
Agent finds a cargo market
A licensed agent quotes motor truck cargo and confirms whether a BMC-34 filing is required.
Filing and certificates
After binding, the insurer files the BMC-34 when needed and you can request certificates for brokers.
BMC-34 explained: who needs a cargo filing
Form BMC-34 is the certificate an insurer files with FMCSA to show that a motor carrier carries cargo liability insurance. Today the federal cargo filing requirement applies to carriers of household goods, meaning movers transporting personal belongings across state lines for individual shippers. The federal minimum for those carriers is $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per occurrence.
Carriers of general freight are not required to keep a cargo filing with FMCSA, but that does not mean cargo insurance is optional in practice. Freight brokers, shippers and load boards routinely require proof of motor truck cargo coverage, often at $100,000 or more, before they will tender a load. A cargo loss without coverage can mean paying for the freight out of pocket.
Motor truck cargo policies vary in what they exclude. Common gaps include unattended vehicle theft, refrigeration breakdown, and certain high-value commodities. Reading the commodity list and exclusions with your agent before binding is worth the time.
Cargo coverage questions to ask your agent
- Is the policy written on a scheduled-vehicle or blanket basis?
- Which commodities are excluded or sub-limited?
- Is reefer breakdown included or available?
- What deductible applies per loss?
BMC-34 Cargo Filing FAQ
Do all trucking companies need a BMC-34?
No. The federal cargo filing is required for interstate household goods carriers. Most general freight carriers do not file cargo with FMCSA, though their customers usually require cargo insurance anyway.
What is the minimum cargo coverage for household goods movers?
The federal minimum is $5,000 for loss or damage to property carried on any one motor vehicle and $10,000 for aggregate loss at any one time and place. Many movers carry more.
Who files the BMC-34 form?
Your cargo insurer files it electronically with FMCSA after the policy is bound. The filing remains in place until it is cancelled with proper notice.
How much cargo coverage do brokers usually require?
$100,000 is a common requirement, and some freight or customers call for $250,000 or more. Check your broker-carrier agreements for the exact number.
Does cargo insurance cover spoiled refrigerated loads?
Only if the policy includes refrigeration breakdown coverage. Many basic cargo forms exclude it, so ask for it specifically if you haul temperature-controlled freight.
Does requesting a quote cost anything?
No. It is free and without obligation. Licensed agents and partners provide quotes, and the insurer decides final coverage terms and price.
Protect the freight you haul
Request motor truck cargo quotes, with a BMC-34 filing when your operation requires one.
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