Bill Reintroduced to Hike Trucking Insurance Minimum to $5 Million

The Fair Compensation for Truck Crash Victims Act aims to increase liability coverage and keep pace with inflation.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 5:19am

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a stack of dollar bills, a gavel, and a pair of glasses on a clean white background, symbolizing the financial and legal implications of trucking insurance requirements.A visual representation of the ongoing debate over increasing trucking insurance minimums to better protect crash victims.Gainesville Today

U.S. Reps. Jesús 'Chuy' García (D-Illinois) and Derek Tran (D-California) have reintroduced the 'Fair Compensation for Truck Crash Victims Act,' which would increase the minimum insurance requirement for interstate motor carriers from $750,000 to $5 million. The bill would also index the new minimum to inflation to ensure financial protection for crash victims keeps up with rising costs.

Why it matters

The current $750,000 minimum insurance requirement for trucking companies has been criticized as outdated and insufficient to cover the high costs of devastating accidents. This bill aims to ensure trucking companies carry adequate insurance to support victims and their families in the rare but tragic events of severe crashes.

The details

The legislation would increase the minimum insurance requirement from $750,000 to $5 million and tie that level to inflation. Supporters say this 'accurately accounts for inflation and the current cost of medical care and other expenses.' The bill has been endorsed by several safety advocacy groups, but the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has stated it lacks enough data to justify raising the minimum.

  • The bill was previously introduced near the end of 2023 but never made it to a subcommittee vote.
  • The new version of the bill was reintroduced on April 14, 2026 and now has five co-sponsors.

The players

Jesús 'Chuy' García

U.S. Representative from Illinois, who has previously authored similar legislation to increase trucking insurance minimums.

Derek Tran

U.S. Representative from California, who is a co-sponsor of the reintroduced bill.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

The federal agency that regulates the trucking industry, which has stated it lacks enough data to justify raising the insurance minimum.

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What they’re saying

“'It is unacceptable that outdated minimum insurance requirements continue to leave victims without the support they need to cover medical care and losses. The Fair Compensation for Truck Crash Victims Act would help address this by ensuring trucking companies carry adequate insurance to cover the high costs of the devastating accidents their trucks can cause.'”

— Jesús 'Chuy' García, U.S. Representative

“'In the rare instances that fatal and severe/critical injury crashes do occur, the costs of resulting property damage, injuries, and fatalities can exceed the minimum levels of financial responsibility.'”

— FMCSA

What’s next

The bill will now move through the legislative process, with supporters hoping it will receive a subcommittee vote this session.

The takeaway

This proposed increase in trucking insurance minimums highlights the ongoing debate over balancing the needs of the trucking industry with ensuring adequate financial protection for crash victims. While the current $750,000 minimum is viewed as outdated, the FMCSA's lack of data makes justifying a $5 million requirement challenging, setting up a potential legislative battle.