§387.15 Forms

Question 1: May the motor carrier meet the financial responsibility requirements by aggregating insurance in layers?

Guidance: Yes. A motor carrier may aggregate coverage, by purchasing insurance in layers with each layer consisting of a separate policy and endorsement. The first layer of coverage is referred to as primary insurance and each additional layer is referred to as excess insurance. Example: ABC Motor Carrier transports Division 1.1 explosive material and is required to maintain $5 million coverage. ABC Motor Carrier decides to meet this requirement by purchasing a primary insurance policy of $1 million from insurance company A, an excess policy of $1 million from insurance company B, and a $3 million excess policy from insurance company C. Each policy would have a separate endorsement (Form MCS-90). The endorsement provided by insurer A would state "This insurance is primary and the company shall not be liable for amounts in excess of $1,000,000 for each accident." The endorsement provided by insurer B would state "This insurance is excess and the company shall not be liable for amounts in excess of $1 million for each accident in excess of the underlying limit of $1 million for each accident." The endorsement provided by insurer C would state "This insurance is excess and the company shall not be liable for amounts in excess of $3 million for each accident in excess of the underlying limit of $2 million for each accident."

Question 2: May the Form MCS-90 required by part 387 for proof of minimum financial responsibility be modified?

Guidance: The prescribed text of the document may not be changed. However, the format (i.e., number of pages, layout of the text, etc.) may be altered.

Question 3: Is the use of a printed or stamped signature on the Form MCS-90 endorsement acceptable?

Guidance: Yes.

Question 4: Must a motor carrier obtain a new Form MCS-90 each year if it retains the same insurance company?

Guidance: If the insurance policy, as identified by the policy number on the Form MCS-90, is still valid upon the renewal of insurance, no new Form MCS-90 is required. If the policy number has changed or the insurance policy has been canceled in accordance with the terms shown on Form MCS-90, then a new Form MCS-90 must be completed and attached to the valid insurance policy.

[Editor’s Note: Question 5 is added effective October 5, 2005.]

Question 5: Does the term “insured,” as used on Form MCS-90, Endorsement for Motor Carrier Policies of Insurance for Public Liability, or “Principal”, as used on Form MCS-82, Motor Carrier Liability Surety Bond, mean the motor carrier named in the endorsement or surety bond?

Guidance: Yes. Under 49 CFR 387.5, “insured and principal” is defined as “the motor carrier named in the policy of insurance, surety bond, endorsement, or notice of cancellation, and also the fiduciary of such motor carrier.” Form MCS-90 and Form MCS-82 are not intended, and do not purport, to require a motor carrier's insurer or surety to satisfy a judgment against any party other than the carrier named in the endorsement or surety bond or its fiduciary.