Owner-operator own authority insurance: Ohio guide

Helm Partners is a trucking-only insurance agency being formed in Michigan. Our Michigan license is pending. We do not quote or sell insurance until licensed. We are not licensed in any state yet, including Ohio, and do not quote, sell or place insurance there. This guide is general information, not advice on any policy.

Running under your own authority moves the insurance from the carrier to you. Federal rules set the floor for interstate freight, Ohio sets its own for hauling inside the state, and contracts often ask for more. Here is how it fits together.

Leased on or your own authority

Leased on. The carrier's liability insurance protects the public while you haul under its authority, and the lease says who provides other coverage (49 CFR 376.12(j)). See leased-on owner-operator insurance.
Your own authority. You hold the USDOT number and MC authority, so the liability insurance and the filing are yours.

What the rules require

Liability. 49 CFR 387.9 sets $750,000 for for-hire carriers hauling nonhazardous property in interstate commerce in vehicles of 10,001 pounds or more. Some hazardous materials need $1,000,000 or $5,000,000.
The filing. Your insurer files proof with FMCSA on Form BMC-91 or BMC-91X (FMCSA). If it cancels and is not replaced, FMCSA can revoke your authority. See what a BMC-91X filing is.
The MCS-90. An endorsement on the liability policy that protects the public. See MCS-90, BMC-91X and Form E.
Cargo. Federal and Ohio rules require cargo coverage only for household goods carriers.

What contracts and lenders ask for

Cargo for brokers and shippers. Many broker and shipper contracts ask for cargo coverage and set their own limits. See broker insurance requirements and motor truck cargo insurance.
Your own truck. Public liability filings protect other people, not your equipment. Check what your truck loan or lease requires for physical damage.
Trailers you do not own. See trailer interchange vs non-owned trailer.

Ohio pieces

Hauling for hire inside Ohio. OAC 4901:2-13-03(A) sets $750,000 in public liability, or $300,000 if every vehicle is under 10,001 pounds. PUCO registration (OAC 4901:2-21-03) needs your insurer to file proof. See our PUCO registration guide.
Workers' comp for you. Coverage is elective for a sole proprietor, or an LLC acting as one. BWC says if you do not cover yourself and are hurt at work, BWC will not provide coverage (Form U-3S).
Hiring a driver. Ohio requires coverage once you have one employee, through BWC on Form U-3 with a $120 fee. Whether a driver is an employee turns on the seven factors in ORC 4123.01 and BWC policy EP-20-05. See Ohio workers' comp for trucking.
Plates and fuel tax. See Ohio owner-operators: IRP and IFTA.

A checklist

Confirm the limit your operation needs: $750,000 for most freight, more for some hazardous materials.
Make sure your insurer has filed proof with FMCSA, and check your record after any policy change.
Read each broker and shipper contract for the cargo and liability limits it asks for.
Check what your truck loan or lease says about physical damage.
If you haul for hire inside Ohio, register with PUCO and confirm the filing.
Decide on elective BWC coverage for yourself, and apply on Form U-3 before you hire.

Fees for getting started: the cost to start a trucking company in Ohio. More: owner-operators and non-trucking liability vs bobtail.

FAQ

What insurance does an owner-operator with their own authority need?

By rule, public liability: at least $750,000 for for-hire freight in a truck of 10,001 pounds or more, with your insurer filing proof with FMCSA (49 CFR 387.9). Cargo is required only for household goods. Brokers, shippers and lenders often ask for more in their contracts.

Who files my insurance with FMCSA?

Your insurance company files proof of liability, Form BMC-91 or BMC-91X, with FMCSA. You cannot file it yourself. Household goods carriers also file cargo coverage.

What liability limit does Ohio require inside the state?

For-hire carriers hauling property inside Ohio need at least $750,000 in public liability, or $300,000 if every vehicle they run is under 10,001 pounds (OAC 4901:2-13-03(A)).

Do I need workers' comp for myself in Ohio?

No, it is elective for a sole proprietor, or an LLC acting as one. You can cover yourself on BWC Form U-3S. Once you hire an employee, Ohio requires coverage through BWC, applied for on Form U-3 with a $120 fee.

Do I need non-trucking liability with my own authority?

Non-trucking liability is built for owner-operators leased onto a carrier, for when the truck is not being used in the carrier's business. With your own authority, your liability policy is the primary coverage. See our guide to non-trucking liability vs bobtail.

Does Helm sell insurance in Ohio?

No. We are not licensed in any state yet, including Ohio, and do not quote, sell or place insurance there. This guide is general information.

Sources

49 CFR 387.9: Financial responsibility, minimum levels (last amended Jul 21, 2026)
FMCSA: Insurance Filing Requirements (last updated Mar 26, 2026)
Ohio Admin. Code 4901:2-13-03: Minimum levels of financial responsibility (effective Dec 11, 2014)
Ohio Admin. Code 4901:2-21-03: Intrastate registration (effective Jul 1, 2023)
Ohio Revised Code 4123.01: Definitions (effective Sep 23, 2022)
Ohio BWC Form U-3S: Application for or request to cancel elective coverage (PDF) (form revised Feb 18, 2026)
Ohio BWC Form U-3: Application for Ohio Workers' Compensation Coverage (PDF) (form revised Apr 16, 2026)
Ohio BWC policy EP-20-05: Trucking Industry Companies (PDF) (policy effective Feb 17, 2026)
49 CFR 376.12: Lease requirements (last amended Jun 15, 2018)

Owner-operator insurance with your own authority: an Ohio guide