What Is A Process Agent?

 

"A process agent is a representative upon whom court papers may be served in any proceeding brought against a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder. Every motor carrier (of property or passengers) shall make a designation for each State in which it is authorized to operate and for each State traversed during such operations. Brokers are required to list process agents in each state in which they have an office and in which they write contracts." FMCSA.

 

           THIS IS DONE WITH A BOC-3 FILING.

 

USDOT Number: definition

 

The USDOT number is the number that the FMCSA assigns to each motor carrier that starts interstate operations.
Your USDOT number must be marked on all of your vehicles.

 

To apply for a USDOT number, please submit a Form MCS-150.

 

Minimum Insurance Limits

 

For Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or more:
$750,000 (BI &PD) for General Commodities (non-hazardous)
$1 Million (BI &PD) hazardous except class A & B explosives
$5 Million (BI & PD) Class A & B explosives, Hazardous materials transported in specified capacities in tanks or hoppers and/or any quantity of hazardous materials as specified in 49 CFR 173.403 of the Federal Motor Carrier Regulations.
For vehicles with a Gross Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 pounds:
$300,000 (BI & PD) for general commodities except any materials listed below.
$5 Million (BI & PD) Any quantity of Class A or B explosives, for any quantity of Poison Gas (Poison A) or highway route controlled quantity of radioactive materials.
Common Carriers: Must carry minimum liability as listed above plus $10,000 cargo insurance.
Broker Authority: Brokers must maintain a surety bond or trust fund in the amount of $10,000.

 

Coverages

 

Primary Liability
This is usually the most expensive portion of any trucking company’s insurance package. Protecting you from damage or injuries to other people as a result of truck accidents. This coverage is mandated by the State and Federal agencies, which require proof of insurance documents to be sent to them.

 

Interstate truckers will need the MCS90, the BMC91x and the appropriate state form endorsements, which extend coverage to the regulatory agencies.

 

Policy limits for trucks over 10,000 gross vehicle weight will generally have a required limit of $750,000. This limit is set by the FHWA on interstate travel and is usually matched by the various states.

 

Physical Damage
This type of policy provides actual cash value protection to an insured’s equipment in the event of an accident. This coverage applies to cases of fire, theft and vandalism of the insured equipment.

 

Cargo Insurance
The transporter of freight and commodities assumes responsibility for the cargo he is hauling. The amount of the responsibility should be clearly established and understood by both the shipper and the transporter before the shipment is moved. This is usually done by contract, bill of lading, disclosure, or by published tariffs.

 

Motor Truck Cargo insurance protects the transporter for his responsibility in the event of damaged or lost freight. The policy purchased with a maximum load limit per vehicle.

 

This insurance policy, without question, requires careful thought and evaluation prior to purchasing. In addition, you need to be constantly evaluating your loads to make sure the coverage meets your needs.

 

General Liability
As the name implies, this coverage pertains to very broad coverage other than automobile. This coverage provides protection for injuries or property damage sustained while on your premises, using your products or services, or because of a breach of contract.

 

Policy limits start at 100,000, with usual policy limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and a policy aggregate of $2,000,000. Higher limits are available as needed

 

Non-Trucking Liability Insurance
Non-Trucking Liability provides limited liability insurance for owner-operators who are permanently leased to an ICC regulated carrier. It provides limited liability protection when the owner-operator is not on dispatch or pulling a loaded trailer. When the owner-operator is under dispatch they are covered under the Primary Liability insurance policy of the company which they are leased to.

Occupation Accident Insurance
This insurance coverage provides the owner-operator with medical benefits and disability coverage due to a work-related accident, injury, or death. It is not purchased in lieu of Workman’s Compensation, but when Workman’s Compensation is not available in the specific state or not required by law.

 The difference between interstate carriers and intrastate carriers
Interstate carriers operate vehicles that are authorized to operate in multiple state jurisdictions, which includes U.S. and Mexican states and Canadian provinces. Intrastate carriers operate entirely within a singlestate jurisdiction.