What Does BIPD Mean in Trucking?
Reviewed
BIPD stands for bodily injury and property damage liability. It's the coverage that pays others when a carrier's truck injures someone or damages their property, and it's the coverage FMCSA requires a for-hire carrier to prove before its authority goes active. The insurer proves it with a BMC-91 or BMC-91X filing, and the minimum amount depends on the cargo and the vehicle's weight rating.
Federal minimums
From 49 CFR 387.9 and 387.303, for for-hire carriers of property in interstate commerce:
- $750,000 for nonhazardous freight in vehicles rated 10,001 pounds or more.
- $300,000 for vehicles rated under 10,001 pounds.
- $1,000,000 for oil and most hazardous materials.
- $5,000,000 for certain bulk hazardous substances and some other hazmat.
Reading BIPD on a new carrier
The amount on file shows whether a carrier bought the minimum or more. Brokers and shippers can require higher limits in their carrier agreements, so a carrier above the minimum may be chasing specific freight. Cargo, physical damage and occupational accident coverage aren't part of BIPD and don't appear in the filing.
98.9% of carriers granted authority in the 30 days ending October 19, 2026 had a BIPD amount on file when we last read the data. Rookiefeed shows the amount, insurer and effective date for each one; see BMC-91 filings explained and who insures new trucking companies.
Questions
- Is BIPD the same as primary liability?
- In trucking they usually mean the same coverage: the primary auto liability policy that pays for injuries and property damage the truck causes to others. FMCSA's filing requirement is stated as BIPD, and the insurer's BMC-91 or BMC-91X filing certifies it meets the minimum for the carrier's operation.
Every newly granted carrier, by 7am
MC and USDOT numbers, owner name, phone, email, trucks, equipment and the insurer on file, for each carrier FMCSA authorized yesterday.
Go deeper
Related terms
- BMC-91 and BMC-91X Certificates an insurer files with FMCSA proving a motor carrier carries the required bodily injury and property damage liability coverage.
- BMC-34 The Household Goods Motor Carrier Cargo Liability Certificate of Insurance, which an insurer files with FMCSA for household goods carriers.
- New venture Insurance term for a motor carrier with new operating authority and little or no history running its own trucks.
Sources: 49 CFR 387.9, financial responsibility minimum levels · 49 CFR 387.303, security for the protection of the public · FMCSA: insurance filing requirements