(3) Motor carriers subject to the minimum limits governed by this section, which are also subject to Department of Transportation limits requirements, are at no time required to have security for more than the required minimum limits established by the Secretary of Transportation in the applicable provisions of 49 CFR Part 387—Minimum Levels of Financial Responsibility for Motor Carriers.
(4) Foreign motor carriers and foreign motor private carriers. Foreign motor carriers and foreign motor private carriers (Mexican), subject to the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 13902(c) and 49 CFR part 368 regarding obtaining certificates of registration from the FMCSA, must meet our minimum financial responsibility requirements by obtaining insurance coverage, in the required amounts, for periods of 24 hours or longer, from insurance or surety companies, that meet the requirements of 49 CFR 387.315. These carriers must have available for inspection, in each vehicle operating in the United States, copies of the following documents:
(i) The certificate of registration;
(ii) The required insurance endorsement (Form MCS–90); and
(iii) An insurance identification card, binder, or other document issued by an authorized insurer which specifies both the effective date and the expiration date of the insurance coverage.
Notwithstanding the provisions of §387.301(a)(1), the filing of evidence of insurance is not required as a condition to the issuance of a certificate of registration. Further, the reference to continuous coverage at §387.313(a)(6) and the reference to cancellation notice at §387.313(d) are not applicable to these carriers.
(c) Motor common carriers: Cargo liability. Security required to compensate shippers or consignees for loss or damage to property belonging to shippers or consignees and coming into the possession of motor carriers in connection with their transportation service, (1) for loss of or damage to property carried on any one motor vehicle—$5,000, (2) for less of or damage to or aggregate of losses or damages of or to property occurring at any one time and place—$10,000.
[47 FR 55944, Dec. 14, 1982, as amended at 48 FR 43333, Sept. 23, 1983; 48 FR 45775, Oct. 7, 1983; 48 FR 51780, Nov. 14, 1983; 49 FR 1991, Jan. 17, 1984; 49 FR 27767, July 6, 1984; 50 FR 40030, Oct. 1, 1985; 53 FR 36984, Sept. 23, 1988; 54 FR 52034, Dec. 20, 1989; 55 FR 47338, Nov. 13, 1990; 62 FR 49941, Sept. 24, 1997; 67 FR 61824, Oct. 2, 2002; 68 FR 56198, Sept. 30, 2003] § 387.305 Combination vehicles.
The following combinations will be regarded as one motor vehicle for purposes of this part, (a) a tractor and trailer or semitrailer when the tractor is engaged solely in drawing the trailer or semitrailer, and (b) a truck and trailer when both together bear a single load. § 387.307 Property broker surety bond or trust fund.
(a) Security. A property broker must have a surety bond or trust fund in effect for $10,000. The FMCSA will not issue a property broker license until a surety bond or trust fund for the full limits of liability prescribed herein is in effect. The broker license shall remain valid or effective only as long as a surety bond or trust fund remains in effect and shall ensure the financial responsibility of the broker.
(b) Evidence of Security. Evidence of a surety bond must be filed using the FMCSA's prescribed Form BMC 84. Evidence of a trust fund with a financial institution must be filed using the FMCSA's prescribed Form BMC 85. The surety bond or the trust fund shall ensure the financial responsibility of the broker by providing for payments to shippers or motor carriers if the broker fails to carry out its contracts, agreements, or arrangements for the supplying of transportation by authorized motor carriers.
(c) Financial Institution—when used in this section and in forms prescribed under this section, where not otherwise distinctly expressed or manifestly incompatible with the intent thereof, shall mean—Each agent, agency, branch or office within the United States of any person, as defined by the ICC Termination Act, doing business in one or more of the capacities listed below:
(1) An insured bank (as defined in section 3(h) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813(h));
(2) A commercial bank or trust company;
(3) An agency or branch of a foreign bank in the United States;
(4) An insured institution (as defined in section 401(a) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1724(a));
(5) A thrift institution (savings bank, building and loan association, credit union, industrial bank or other);
(6) An insurance company;
(7) A loan or finance company; or
(8) A person subject to supervision by any state or federal bank supervisory authority.
(d) Forms and Procedures—(1) Forms for broker surety bonds and trust agreements. Form BMC–84 broker surety bond will be filed with the FMCSA for the full security limits under subsection (a); or Form BMC–85 broker trust fund agreement will be filed with the FMCSA for the full security limits under paragraph (a) of this section.
(2) Broker surety bonds and trust fund agreements in effect continuously. Surety bonds and trust fund agreements shall specify that coverage thereunder will remain in effect continuously until terminated as herein provided.
(i) Cancellation notice. The surety bond and the trust fund agreement may be cancelled as only upon 30 days' written notice to the FMCSA, on prescribed Form BMC 36, by the principal or surety for the surety bond, and on prescribed Form BMC 85, by the trustor/broker or trustee for the trust fund agreement. The notice period commences upon the actual receipt of the notice at the FMCSA's Washington, DC office.
(ii) Termination by replacement. Broker surety bonds or trust fund agreements which have been accepted by the FMCSA under these rules may be replaced by other surety bonds or trust fund agreements, and the liability of the retiring surety or trustee under such surety bond or trust fund agreements shall be considered as having terminated as of the effective date of the replacement surety bond or trust fund agreement. However, such termination shall not affect the liability of the surety or the trustee hereunder for the payment of any damages arising as the result of contracts, agreements or arrangements made by the broker for the supplying of transportation prior to the date such termination becomes effective.
(3) Filing and copies. Broker surety bonds and trust fund agreements must be filed with the FMCSA in duplicate.
[53 FR 10396, Mar. 31, 1988] § 387.309 Qualifications as a self-insurer and other securities or agreements.
(a) As a self-insurer. The FMCSA will consider and will approve, subject to appropriate and reasonable conditions, the application of a motor carrier to qualify as a self-insurer, if the carrier furnishes a true and accurate statement of its financial condition and other evidence that establishes to the satisfaction of the FMCSA the ability of the motor carrier to satisfy its obligation for bodily injury liability, property damage liability, or cargo liability. Application Guidelines: In addition to filing Form BMC 40, applicants for authority to self-insure against bodily injury and property damage claims should submit evidence that will allow the FMCSA to determine:
(1) The adequacy of the tangible net worth of the motor carrier in relation to the size of operations and the extent of its request for self-insurance authority. Applicant should demonstrate that it will maintain a net worth that will ensure that it will be able to meet its statutory obligations to the public to indemnify all claimants in the event of loss.
(2) The existence of a sound self-insurance program. Applicant should demonstrate that it has established, and will maintain, an insurance program that will protect the public against all claims to the same extent as the minimum security limits applicable to applicant under §387.303 of this part. Such a program may include, but not be limited to, one or more of the following: Irrevocable letters of credit; irrevocable trust funds; reserves; sinking funds; third-party financial guarantees, parent company or affiliate sureties; excess insurance coverage; or other similar arrangements.
(3) The existence of an adequate safety program. Applicant must submit evidence of a current “satisfactory” safety rating by the United States Department of Transportation. Non-rated carriers need only certify that they have not been rated. Applications by carriers with a less than satisfactory rating will be summarily denied. Any self-insurance authority granted by the FMCSA will automatically expire 30 days after a carrier receives a less than satisfactory rating from DOT.
(4) Additional information. Applicant must submit such additional information to support its application as the FMCSA may require.
(b) Other securities or agreements. The FMCSA also will consider applications for approval of other securities or agreements and will approve any such application if satisfied that the security or agreement offered will afford the security for protection of the public contemplated by 49 U.S.C. 13906.
[48 FR 51780, Nov. 14, 1983 and 51 FR 15008, Apr. 22, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 3815, Feb. 6, 1987; 62 FR 49941, Sept. 24, 1997; 68 FR 56199, Sept. 30, 2003] § 387.311 Bonds and certificates of insurance.
(a) Public liability. Each Form BMC 82 surety bond filed with the FMCSA must be for the full limits of liability required under §387.303(b)(1). Form MCS–82 surety bonds and other forms of similar import prescribed by the Department of Transportation, may be aggregated to comply with the minimum security limits required under §387.303(b)(1) or §387.303(b)(2). Each Form BMC 91 certificate of insurance filed with the FMCSA will always represent the full security minimum limits required for the particular carrier, while it remains in force, under §387.303(b)(1) or §387.303(b)(2), whichever is applicable. Any previously executed Form BMC 91 filed before the current revision which is left on file with the FMCSA after the effective date of this regulation, and not canceled within 30 days of that date will be deemed to certify the same coverage limits as would the filing of a revised Form BMC 91. Each Form BMC 91X certificate of insurance filed with the FMCSA will represent the full security limits under §387.303(b)(1) or §387.303(b)(2) or the specific security limits of coverage as indicated on the face of the form. If the filing reflects aggregation, the certificate must show clearly whether the insurance is primary or, if excess coverage, the amount of underlying coverage as well as amount of the maximum limits of coverage.* Each Form BMC 91MX certificate of insurance filed with the FMCSA will represent the security limits of coverage as indicated on the face of the form. The Form BMC 91MX must show clearly whether the insurance is primary or, if excess coverage, the amount of underlying coverage as well as amount of the maximum limits of coverage.
*Note: Aggregation to meet the requirement of §387.303(b)(1) will not be allowed until the completion of our rulemaking in Ex Parte No. MC–5 (Sub-No. 2), Motor Carrier and Freight Forwarder Insurance Procedures and Minimum Amounts of Liability.
(b) Cargo Liability. Each form BMC 83 surety bond filed with the FMCSA must be for the full limits of liability required under §387.303(c). Each Form BMC 34 certificate of insurance filed with the FMCSA will represent the full security limits under §387.303(c) or the specific security limits of coverage as indicated on the face of the form. If the filing reflects aggregation, the certificate must show clearly whether the insurance is primary or, if excess coverage, the amount of underlying coverage as well as amount of the maximum limits of coverage.
(c) Each policy of insurance in connection with the certificate of insurance which is filed with the FMCSA, shall be amended by attachment of the appropriate endorsement prescribed by the FMCSA and the certificate of insurance filed must accurately reflect that endorsement.
[47 FR 55944, Dec. 14, 1982, as amended at 48 FR 43332, Sept. 23, 1983; 48 FR 51781, Nov. 14, 1983; 50 FR 40030, Oct. 1, 1985; 62 FR 49941, Sept. 24, 1997; 68 FR 56199, Sept. 30, 2003] § 387.313 Forms and procedures.
(a) Forms for endorsements, certificates of insurance and others—(1) In form prescribed. Endorsements for policies of insurance and surety bonds, certificates of insurance, applications to qualify as a self-insurer, or for approval of other securities or agreements, and notices of cancellation must be in the form prescribed and approved by the FMCSA.
(2) Aggregation of Insurance.** When insurance is provided by more than one insurer in order to aggregate security limits for carriers operating only freight vehicles under 10,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, as defined in §387.303(b)(1), a separate Form BMC 90, with the specific amounts of underlying and limits of coverage shown thereon or appended thereto, and Form BMC 91X certificate is required of each insurer.
**Note: See Note for Rule 387.311. Also, it should be noted that DOT is considering prescribing adaptations of the Form MCS 90 endorsement and the Form MCS 82 surety bond for use by passenger carriers and Rules §§387.311 and 387.313 have been written sufficiently broad to provide for this contingency when new forms are prescribed by that Agency.
For aggregation of insurance for all other carriers to cover security limits under §387.303 (b)(1) or (b)(2), a separate Department of Transportation prescribed form endorsement and Form BMC 91X certificate is required of each insurer. When insurance is provided by more than one insurer to aggregate coverage for security limits under §387.303(c) a separate Form BMC 32 endorsement and Form BMC 34 certificate of insurance is required for each insurer.
For aggregation of insurance for foreign motor private carriers of nonhazardous commodities to cover security limits under §387.303(b)(4), a separate Form BMC 90 with the specific amounts of underlying and limits of coverage shown thereon or appended thereto, or Department of Transportation prescribed form endorsement, and Form BMC 91MX certificate is required for each insurer.
(3) Use of Certificates and Endorsements in BMC Series. Form BMC 91 certificates of insurance will be filed with the FMCSA for the full security limits under §387.303 (b)(1) or (b)(2).
Form BMC 91X certificate of insurance will be filed to represent full coverage or any level of aggregation for the security limits under §387.303 (b)(1) or (b)(2).
Form BMC 90 endorsement will be used with each filing of Form BMC 91 or Form 91X certificate with the FMCSA which certifies to coverage not governed by the requirements of the Department of Transportation. Form BMC 32 endorsement and Form BMC 34 certificate of insurance and Form BMC 83 surety bonds are used for the limits of cargo liability under §387.303(c).
Form BMC 91MX certificate of insurance will be filed to represent any level of aggregation for the security limits under §387.303(b)(4).
(4) Use of Endorsements in MCS Series. When Security limits certified under §387.303 (b)(1) or (b)(2) involves coverage also required by the Department of Transportation a Form MCS endorsement prescribed by the Department of Transportation such as, and including, the Form MCS 90 endorsement is required.
(5) Surety bonds. When surety bonds are used rather than certificates of insurance, Form BMC 82 is required for the security limits under §387.303(b)(1) not subject to regulation by the Department of Transportation, and Form MCS 82, or any form of similar import prescribed by the Department of Transportation, is used for the security limits subject also to minimum coverage requirements of the Department of Transportation.
(6) Surety bonds and certificates in effect continuously. Surety bonds and certificates of insurance shall specify that coverage thereunder will remain in effect continuously until terminated as herein provided, except: (1) When filed expressly to fill prior gaps or lapses in coverage or to cover grants of emergency temporary authority of unusually short duration and the filing clearly so indicates, or (2) in special or unusual circumstances, when special permission is obtained for filing certificates of insurance or surety bonds on terms meeting other particular needs of the situation.
(b) Filing and copies. Certificates of insurance, surety bonds, and notices of cancellation must be filed with the FMCSA in triplicate.
(c) Name of insured. Certificates of insurance and surety bonds shall be issued in the full and correct name of the individual, partnership, corporation or other person to whom the certificate, permit, or license is, or is to be, issued. In the case of a partnership, all partners shall be named.
(d) Cancellation notice. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, surety bonds, certificates of insurance and other securities or agreements shall not be cancelled or withdrawn until 30 days after written notice has been submitted to the FMCSA at its offices in Washington, DC, on the prescribed form (Form BMC–35, Notice of Cancellation Motor Carrier Policies of Insurance under 49 U.S.C. 13906, and BMC–36, Notice of Cancellation Motor Carrier and Broker Surety Bonds, as appropriate) by the insurance company, surety or sureties, motor carrier, broker or other party thereto, as the case may be, which period of thirty (30) days shall commence to run from the date such notice on the prescribed form is actually received by the FMCSA.
(e) Termination by replacement. Certificates of insurance or surety bonds which have been accepted by the FMCSA under these rules may be replaced by other certificates of insurance, surety bonds or other security, and the liability of the retiring insurer or surety under such certificates of insurance or surety bonds shall be considered as having terminated as of the effective date of the replacement certificate of insurance, surety bond or other security, provided the said replacement certificate, bond or other security is acceptable to the FMCSA under the rules and regulations in this part.
[47 FR 55944, Dec. 14, 1982, as amended at 48 FR 43334, Sept. 23, 1983; 48 FR 51781, Nov. 14, 1983; 50 FR 40030, Oct. 1, 1985; 51 FR 34623, Sept. 30, 1986; 62 FR 49941, Sept. 24, 1997] § 387.315 Insurance and surety companies.
A certificate of insurance or surety bond will not be accepted by the FMCSA unless issued by an insurance or surety company that is authorized (licensed or admitted) to issue bonds or underlying insurance policies:
(a) In each state in which the motor carrier is authorized by the FMCSA to operate, or
(b) In the state in which the motor carrier has its principal place of business or domicile, and will designate in writing upon request by the FMCSA, a person upon whom process, issued by or under the authority of a court of competent jurisdiction, may be served in any proceeding at law or equity brought in any state in which the carrier operates, or
(c) In any state, and is eligible as an excess or surplus lines insurer in any state in which business is written, and will make the designation of process agent described in paragraph (b) of this section.
[56 FR 28111, June 19, 1991] § 387.317 Refusal to accept, or revocation by the FMCSA of surety bonds, etc.
The FMCSA may, at any time, refuse to accept or may revoke its acceptance of any surety bond, certificate of insurance, qualifications as a self-insurer, or other securities or agreements if, in its judgment such security does not comply with these sections or for any reason fails to provide satisfactory or adequate protection for the public. Revocation of acceptance of any certificate of insurance, surety bond or other security shall not relieve the motor carrier from compliance with §387.301(d).
[47 FR 55945, Dec. 14, 1982, as amended at 62 FR 49942, Sept. 24, 1997] § 387.319 Fiduciaries.
(a) Definitions. The terms “insured” and “principal” as used in a certificate of insurance, surety bond, and notice of cancellation, filed by or for a motor carrier, include the motor carrier and its fiduciary as of the moment of succession. The term “fiduciary” means any person authorized by law to collect and preserve property of incapacitated, financially disabled, bankrupt, or deceased holders of operating rights, and assignees of such holders.
(b) Insurance coverage in behalf of fiduciaries to apply concurrently. The coverage furnished under the provisions of this section on behalf of fiduciaries shall not apply subsequent to the effective date of other insurance, or other security, filed with and approved by the FMCSA in behalf of such fiduciaries. After the coverage provided in this section shall have been in effect thirty (30) days, it may be cancelled or withdrawn within the succeeding period of thirty (30) days by the insurer, the insured, the surety, or the principal upon ten (10) days' notice in writing to the FMCSA at its office in Washington, DC, which period of ten (10) days shall commence to run from the date such notice is actually received by the FMCSA. After such coverage has been in effect for a total of sixty (60) days, it may be cancelled or withdrawn only in accordance with §1043.7.
[32 FR 20032, Dec. 20, 1967, as amended at 47 FR 49596, Nov. 1, 1982; 47 FR 55945, Dec. 14, 1982; 55 FR 11197, Mar. 27, 1990] § 387.321 Operations in foreign commerce.
No motor carrier may operate in the United States in the course of transportation between places in a foreign country or between a place in one foreign country and a place in another foreign country unless and until there shall have been filed with and accepted by the FMCSA a certificate of insurance, surety bond, proof of qualifications as a self-insurer, or other securities or agreements in the amount prescribed in §387.303(b), conditioned to pay any final judgment recovered against such motor carrier for bodily injuries to or the death of any person resulting from the negligent operation, maintenance, or use of motor vehicles in transportation between places in a foreign country or between a place in one foreign country and a place in another foreign country, insofar as such transportation takes place in the United States, or for loss of or damage to property of others. The security for the protection of the public required by this section shall be maintained in effect at all times and shall be subject to the provisions of §§387.309 through 387.319. The requirements of §387.315(a) shall be satisfied if the insurance or surety company, in addition to having been approved by the FMCSA, is legally authorized to issue policies or surety bonds in at least one of the States in the United States, or one of the Provinces in Canada, and has filed with the FMCSA the name and address of a person upon whom legal process may be served in each State in or through which the motor carrier operates. Such designation may from time to time be changed by like designation similarly filed, but shall be maintained during the effectiveness of any certificate of insurance or surety bond issued by the company, and thereafter with respect to any claims arising during the effectiveness of such certificate or bond. The term “motor carrier” as used in this section shall not include private carriers or carriers operating under the partial exemption from regulation in 49 U.S.C. 13503 and 13506.
[47 FR 55945, Dec. 14, 1982, as amended at 62 FR 49942, Sept. 24, 1997] § 387.323 Electronic filing of surety bonds, trust fund agreements, certificates of insurance and cancellations.
(a) Insurers may, at their option and in accordance with the requirements and procedures set forth in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section, file forms BMC 34, BMC 35, BMC 36, BMC 82, BMC 83, BMC 84, BMC 85, BMC 91, and BMC 91X electronically, in lieu of using the prescribed printed forms.
(b) Each insurer must obtain authorization to file electronically by registering with the FMCSA. An individual account number and password for computer access will be issued to each registered insurer.
(c) Filings may be transmitted online via the Internet at: http://fhwa-li.volpe.dot.gov or via American Standard Code Information Interchange (ASCII). All ASCII transmission must be in fixed format, i.e., all records must have the same number of fields and same length. The record layouts for ASCII electronic transactions are described in the following table:
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