Section 218.16 - Insurance Requirements(a) Automobile liability insurance requirements. A motor carrier must file proof of commercial automobile liability insurance with the department on a form acceptable to the director for each vehicle required to be registered under this subchapter. The motor carrier must carry and maintain automobile liability insurance that is combined single limit liability for bodily injury to or death of an individual per occurrence, loss or damage to property (excluding cargo) per occurrence, or both. Extraneous information will not be considered acceptable, and the department may reject proof of commercial automobile liability insurance if it is provided in a format that includes information beyond what is required. Minimum insurance levels are indicated in the following table. However, a motor carrier that operates a foreign commercial motor vehicle must comply with the minimum level of financial responsibility in 49 C.F.R. Part 387 to the extent Part 387 prescribes a higher level of financial responsibility than the following table. The department adopts by reference 49 C.F.R. Part 387. Effective October 23, 2015, the department adopts by reference the amendments to 49 C.F.R. Part 387 with an effective date of October 23, 2015. Figure: 43 TAC § 218.16(a) (No change.)
(b) Cargo insurance. Household goods carriers shall file and maintain with the department proof of financial responsibility.(1) The minimum limits of financial responsibility for a household goods carrier for hire is $5,000 for loss or damage to a single shipper's cargo carried on any one motor vehicle.(2) The minimum limits of financial responsibility for a household goods carrier for hire is $10,000 for aggregate loss or damage to multiple shipper cargo carried on any one motor vehicle. In cases in which multiple shippers sustain damage and the aggregate amount of cargo damage is greater than the cargo insurance in force, the insurance company shall prorate the benefits among the shippers in relationship to the damage incurred by each shipper.(c) Workers' compensation or accidental insurance coverage.(1) A motor carrier that is required to register under this subchapter and whose primary business is transportation for compensation or hire between two or more incorporated cities, towns, or villages shall provide workers' compensation for all its employees or accidental insurance coverage in the amounts prescribed in paragraph (2) of this subsection.(2) Accidental insurance coverage required by paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be at least in the following amounts: (A) $300,000 for medical expenses and coverage for at least 104 weeks;(B) $100,000 for accidental death and dismemberment, including 70 percent of employee's pre-injury income for not less than 104 weeks when compensating for loss of income; and(C) $500 for the maximum weekly benefit.(d) Qualification of motor carrier as self-insured. (1) General qualifications. A motor carrier may meet the insurance requirements of subsections (a) and (b) of this section by filing an application, in a form prescribed by the department, to qualify as a self-insured. The application must include a true and accurate statement of the motor carrier's financial condition and other evidence that establishes its ability to satisfy obligations for bodily injury and property damage liability without affecting the stability or permanency of its business. The department may accept USDOT evidence of the motor carrier's qualifications as a self-insured.(2) Applicant guidelines. In addition to filing an application as prescribed by the department, an applicant for self-insured status must submit materials that will allow the department to determine the following information. (A) Applicant's net worth. An applicant's net worth must be adequate in relation to the size of its operations and the extent of its request for self-insurance authority. The applicant must demonstrate that it can and will maintain an adequate net worth.(B) Self-insurance program. An applicant must demonstrate that it has established and will maintain a sound insurance program that will protect the public against all claims involving motor vehicles to the same extent as the minimum security limits applicable under this section. In determining whether an applicant is maintaining a sound insurance program, the department will consider:(iii) third-party financial guarantees;(iv) parent company or affiliate sureties;(v) excess insurance coverage; and(vi) other appropriate aspects of the applicant's program.(C) Safety program. An applicant must submit evidence of substantial compliance with the federal motor carrier safety regulations as adopted by the Texas Department of Public Safety and with Transportation Code, Chapter 644.(3) Other securities or agreements. The department may accept an application for approval of a security or agreement if satisfied that the security or agreement offered will adequately protect the public.(4) Periodic reports. An applicant shall file annual statements, semi-annual and quarterly reports, and any other reports required by the department reflecting the applicant's financial condition and the status of its self-insurance program while the motor carrier is self-insured.(5) Duration and coverage of self-insured status. The department may approve an applicant as a self-insured for any specific time or for an indefinite time. An approved self-insured status only applies to the type of cargo that the applicant reported to the department in the application for self-insured status.(6) Revocation of self-insured status. On receiving evidence that a self-insured motor carrier's financial condition has changed, that its safety program or record is inadequate, or that it is otherwise not in compliance with this subchapter, the department may at any time require the self-insured to provide additional information. On 10 days' notice from the department, the self-insured shall appear and demonstrate that it continues to have adequate financial resources to pay all claims involving motor vehicles for bodily injury and property damage liability. The self-insured shall also demonstrate that it remains in compliance with the requirements of this section and of any active self-insurance requirements included in the department's approval letter. If an applicant fails to comply with the applicable requirements under this section, its self-insured status may be revoked. The revocation of self-insured status will be governed by Chapter 224 of this title (relating to Adjudicative Practice and Procedure) and Transportation Code, Chapter 643.(7) Appeal of denial of application for self-insured status. An applicant may appeal a denial of self-insured status by filing an appeal in accordance with §224.126 of this title (relating to Appeal of a Denial of Self-Insured Status).(e) Filing proof of insurance with the department.(1) Forms. (A) A motor carrier shall file and maintain proof of automobile liability insurance for all vehicles required to be registered under this subchapter at all times. This proof shall be filed on a form acceptable to the director.(B) A household goods carrier shall also file and maintain proof of cargo insurance for its cargo at all times. This proof shall be on a form acceptable to the director.(2) Filing proof of insurance. A motor carrier's insurer shall file and maintain proof of insurance on a form acceptable to the director:(A) at the time of the original application for motor carrier certificate of registration;(B) on or before the cancellation date of the insurance coverage as described in subsection (f) of this section;(C) when the motor carrier changes insurers;(D) when the motor carrier asks to retain the certificate number of a revoked certificate of registration;(E) when the motor carrier changes its name under § 218.13(e)(2) of this title (relating to Application for Motor Carrier Registration);(F) when the motor carrier, under subsection (a) of this section, changes the classification of the cargo being transported; and(G) when replacing another active insurance filing.(3) Filing fee. Each certificate of insurance or proof of financial responsibility filed with the department for the coverage required under this section shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable filing fee of $100. This fee applies both when the carrier submits an original application and when the carrier submits a supplemental application when retaining a revoked certificate of registration number.(4) Acceptable filings. The motor carrier's insurer must file proof of insurance with the department in a form prescribed by the department and approved by an authorized agent of the insurer.(f) Cancellation of insurance coverage. Except when replaced by another acceptable form of insurance coverage or proof of financial responsibility approved by the department, no insurance coverage shall be canceled or withdrawn until 30 days after notice has been given to the department by the insurer in a form approved by the department. Nonetheless, proof of insurance coverage for a seven day or 90 day certificate of registration may be canceled by the insurer without 30 days' notice if the certificate of registration is expired, suspended, or revoked, and the insurer provides a cancellation date on the proof of insurance coverage.(g) Replacement insurance filing. The department will consider a new insurance filing as the current record of financial responsibility required by this section if: (1) the new insurance filing is received by the department; and(2) a cancellation notice has not been received for previous insurance filings.(h) Insolvency of insurance carrier. If the insurer of a motor carrier becomes insolvent or becomes involved in a receivership or other insolvency proceeding, the motor carrier must file an affidavit with the department. The affidavit must be executed by an owner, partner, or officer of the motor carrier and show that: (1) no collisions have occurred and no claims have arisen during the insolvency of the insurance carrier; or(2) all claims have been satisfied.43 Tex. Admin. Code § 218.16
The provisions of this §218.16 adopted to be effective February 4, 2010, 35 TexReg 663; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 40, Number 10, March 6, 2015, TexReg 1106, eff. 3/12/2015; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 49, Number 17, April 26, 2024, TexReg 2754, eff. 6/1/2024