What is MCS-90?

The MCS-90 is a federal endorsement on a for-hire motor carrier's liability policy. It makes the insurer pay final judgments for public liability up to the federal minimum, even when the policy would not otherwise cover the claim.

If the insurer pays a claim the policy would not otherwise cover, the endorsement lets the insurer ask the motor carrier to pay it back.

The endorsement form is in 49 CFR 387.15. It is separate from the BMC-91X filing that tells FMCSA the insurance is in place.

Official source

49 CFR 387.15, Illustration I (eCFR), checked Oct 25, 2026.

Related guides

General information, not advice on any policy. We are not licensed in any state yet. Our Michigan license is pending.