Motor carriers that must register under Subchapter B have to keep required insurance coverage, and the department may set the liability-insurance amount within a federal cap.
Sec. 643.101. AMOUNT REQUIRED. (a) A motor carrier required to register under Subchapter B shall maintain liability insurance in an amount set by the department for each vehicle requiring registration the carrier operates. (b) Except as provided by Section 643.1015, the department by rule may set the amount of liability insurance required at an amount that does not exceed the amount required for a motor carrier under a federal regulation adopted under 49 U.S.C. Section 13906(a)(1). In setting the amount the department shall consider: (1) the class and size of the vehicle; and (2) the persons or cargo being transported. (c) A motor carrier required to register under Subchapter B that transports household goods shall maintain cargo insurance in the amount required for a motor carrier transporting household goods under federal law. (d) Repealed by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1046, Sec. 5.01(a)(2), eff. September 1, 2007. (e) Unless state law permits a commercial motor vehicle to be self-insured, any insurance required for a commercial motor vehicle must be obtained from: (1) an insurer authorized to do business in this state whose aggregate net risk, after reinsurance, under any one insurance policy is not in excess of 10 percent of the insurer's policyholders' surplus, and credit for such reinsurance is permitted by law; or (2) an insurer that meets the eligibility requirements of a surplus lines insurer pursuant to Chapter 981, Insurance Code. Notwithstanding any other provision in law, an insurer in compliance with this subsection shall be deemed to be in compliance with any rating or financial criteria established for motor carriers by any political subdivision of the state. Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 30.150(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1034, Sec. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 144 (H.B. 1018), Sec. 1, eff. May 24, 2005. Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 728 (H.B. 2018), Sec. 11.163, eff. September 1, 2005. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1046 (H.B. 2094), Sec. 5.01(a)(2), eff. September 1, 2007.