A Quick Guide to Applying for an MC Authority

Safety is a top concern in driving any type of vehicle, most especially trucks. Driving an 18-wheeler truck, for example, is prone to road traffic accidents considering the vehicle’s size. While crashes are not entirely preventable, minimizing the chances of accidents from happening can be done by taking several steps.

One important step is to get a Motor Carrier (MC) Authority. Only the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) issues an MC Authority although obtaining this may seem like a challenge for many motor carriers. To manage this challenge, companies hire consultants who understand the application process for an MC authority.

An MC authority is necessary when hauling goods for interstate commerce. Many carriers file for this under the most basic category of “general freight,” which includes cargo like pet food pallets, paper towels, and video players, among others. Carriers can apply online, including liability insurance, with the help of consultants using an FMSCA-issued system.

Permitting specialists submit the application on behalf of the companies and obtain a Department of Transportation (DOT) no. and an MC no. FMSCA then issues a 10-day protest period after publishing an MC no, and if all filings are made and no protests are lodged, final authority may be issued. Professional consultants can help companies undergo smooth application and approval processes.

Trucking Treatment: On Insurance for Trucks

While trucks are mechanically no different from other types of automobiles, their size and build put them in a class of their own. There’s also the fact that if a truck gets into a collision, the resulting damage is sure to be even bigger and more dangerous than one caused by a car. Truck drivers and operators should consider the risks involved with driving such imposing vehicles and should apply for trucking insurance to cover the damages caused.

Like an auto insurance plan, trucking insurance offers financial protection for collisions, motorist injuries, medical bills, and so on. Yet, unlike a regular insurance plan, truck insurance covers other aspects unique to the trucking industry. For instance, specialized coverages like motor truck cargo, trailer interchange, and non-trucking liability are included in a commercial truck insurance.

Another major difference between an auto insurance and a trucking insurance is that truckers have to approach specialized insurers to acquire their own financial coverage plan. Typically, this involves accomplishing a lot of paperwork as well as documentation of a driver’s accident history. Fortunately, there are full service licensing consultants that can help businesses and their truckers secure insurance packages by doing all the hard work for them.

Don’t Hit the Road Without Recognized MC Authority

If you want to become a trucker, then you should know that the job entails more than just hauling goods from one place to another. Every trip involves a lot of paperwork and you can’t even start driving if you don’t have an MC number or Operating Authority on you. The Motor Carrier number is your license to operate as well as an indicator that you are a “for hire” trucker rather than someone who’s operating privately.

The first reason is arguably the most important because an MC number indicates that you’ve passed all the tests and submitted all of the requirements for the job. Secondly, this license contains all the necessary contact information that people would need like your full name, mailing address, and the duration of your trucking permit before you get hired for a job. MC authority also allows you to operate across states, provided that you've met the various state requirements.

As an additional note, private owners of commercial vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 lbs. are required to have an MC number even if they’re using the vehicles for private purposes. On the other hand, those who drive certain vehicles like boat carriers and pickups don’t need an MC number even if they can be used for commercial purposes.

Adequate Trucking Insurance: Safety and Security for the Long Haul

"A trucking insurance business like Coast to Coast may also advise you to take out other insurance options that are not directly connected to transportation duties. Further consultations may delve on protection for tractors taken without a trailer, or an unladen tractor-trailer. The importance of taking out a tractor trailer insurance policy is never more prevalent than when you field anything from big-rig brands, especially given their massive size’s damage potential. Sandilands says the driver’s experience and competency is a vital element in the policy; they will help the insurer decide on whether to give high deductibles and smaller monthly premiums."

http://c2cservices.com/blog/info-articles/adequate-trucking-insurance-safety-and-security-for-the-long-haul/