California Truck Insurance Laws

For regular vehicles in California it means that:

Financial responsibility (commonly known as insurance) is required on all vehicles operated or parked on California roadways.
You must carry evidence of financial responsibility in your vehicle at all times and it must
be provided as specified below when:

• Requested by law enforcement.
• Renewing vehicle registration.
• The vehicle is involved in a traffic collision.

Insurance companies in California are required by law (California Vehicle Code (CVC) §16058) to electronically report private-use vehicle insurance information to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). 

For commercial class 8 trucks the insurance requirements are made by the Federal level and specifially:

Regulations issued by FMCSA are published in the Federal Register and compiled in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
 
In California the commercial truck insurance laws that apply are:

Insurance companies are exempt from electronically reporting insurance information for vehicles covered by commercial or business insurance policies.

Minimum insurance requirements are as following:

Freight:
$750,000 - non-hazardous freight only

$5,000,000 - hazardous freight

$300,000 - for non-hazardous freight moved only in vehicles weighing under 10,001 lbs 

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Be sure to have California truck insurance first before you apply.

What Are the Steps In The FMCSA Registration Process?

1. Determine FMCSA registration needs/requirements:
   • USDOT Number and Hazardous Materials Safety Permit Registration
   • Operating Authority (MC Number)
2. Complete FMCSA Application Process
   • Don't have a USDOT Number or Authority? Apply Online via the Unified Registration System
   • Already have a USDOT Number or Authority? Apply via FMCSA's legacy systems
   • Insurance Requirements 
3. Determine State notification/registration requirements
4. Begin New Entrant Safety Assurance Program
5. Obtain permanent USDOT registration
6. Maintain/Update USDOT Number and Operating Authority information
    
   The harder part of opening a trucking company is getting your MC Authority. That's when you need the experts to make sure its filled correctly. Plus you will need your DOT Number too. These are the two major credentials you need from the federal government.
    
    
   Remember Sky Trucking Insurance Services is here to help you when you have questions about California truck insurance. For accurate premium quotes see our website.