Charter Bus / Motorcoach Insurance - Let us find your best coverage - protection built for passenger carriers
Charter bus and motorcoach companies carry dozens of passengers per vehicle across state lines, and carriers look at your FMCSA safety record, driver qualification, maintenance and the $5 million federal liability minimum. Send us a few details and we will shop 50+ carriers for your best rate – no cost, no obligation. Prefer to talk? Call 800-616-3490.
Charter Bus / Motorcoach Quote Request
Applicant Information:
Have these handy
- USDOT and MC numbers
- Vehicle list with VINs, seats and values
- Driver list with CDL details
- Safety, maintenance and drug-testing programs
- Annual miles and revenue by trip type
- Five years of loss runs
Related coverage
What Charter Bus / Motorcoach coverage includes
Charter bus and motorcoach insurance is built around high-limit commercial auto liability for passengers, with physical damage for your coaches and property and umbrella coverage around it.
- Auto liability - Passenger and third-party injuries, at FMCSA-required limits.
- Physical damage - Collision, fire, theft and vandalism to your coaches.
- Uninsured / underinsured motorist - Injuries caused by drivers with too little insurance.
- Medical payments / PIP - Passenger medical bills regardless of fault, where available.
- Hired & non-owned auto - Rented replacement coaches and employees' own cars.
- General liability - Injuries at your terminal, pick-up points and tour stops.
- Garage & terminal property - Building, shop tools and parts, plus lost income.
- Umbrella / excess - Higher limits for school, team and tour contracts.
Good to know: interstate carriers of 16 or more passengers must carry at least $5 million in liability (49 CFR 387.33). A Satisfactory FMCSA rating, clean SMS scores, CDL drivers with passenger endorsements, a drug and alcohol testing program and written maintenance records open the most markets. Read the full charter bus insurance guide below.
Not covered: drivers who are not listed or qualified, operating without active authority, and usually alcohol-related passenger incidents on party buses unless specifically allowed.
Insurance Application:
Charter Bus / MotorcoachBegin Application
Required forms
Charter Bus / Motorcoach Supplemental Application (PDF)Want to save and finish later? Complete it online
Optional (add any that apply)
Business Auto (PDF)Want to save and finish later? Complete it online
Hired & Non-Owned Auto (PDF)Want to save and finish later? Complete it online
Workers Compensation (PDF)Want to save and finish later? Complete it online
Excess / Umbrella (Commercial) (PDF)Want to save and finish later? Complete it online
Download, complete and email to quote@societiesinsurance.com, or attach it with your quote request.
Prefer to talk?
- Toll-Free: 800-616-3490
- East Coast: 706-550-4418
- West Coast: 206-755-0101
- info@societiesinsurance.com
-
Mon-Fri 8:00am - 6:00pm
Sat 9:00am - 12:00pm
Why charter bus and motorcoach companies need specialized insurance
A single motorcoach can carry 50 or more passengers across several states in one trip. That much exposure in one vehicle, plus federal insurance minimums, driver qualification rules and venue contracts, makes passenger carrier insurance a specialty market. Many standard commercial auto carriers won't write for-hire buses at all, so the right program usually comes from carriers that focus on passenger transportation.
Many passengers, one accident
A single crash can injure dozens of people at once, which is why liability limits for buses are far higher than for other vehicles.
FMCSA minimums
Interstate carriers of 16 or more passengers must carry at least $5 million in liability and file proof of it with the FMCSA.
Expensive coaches
A new motorcoach often costs more than $500,000, so physical damage and downtime after a loss are major costs.
Customers set terms
Schools, teams, tour operators and casinos often require certificates, additional insured status and specific limits.
Coverages a charter bus company should consider
Most motorcoach operators combine several policies into one program. These are the core coverages and why each one matters.
| Coverage | What it covers | Why it matters for motorcoach operators |
|---|---|---|
| Auto liability | Bodily injury and property damage to passengers and others caused by your vehicles | The core of the program; FMCSA requires $5M for interstate carriers of 16+ passengers and $1.5M for smaller vehicles |
| Physical damage | Comprehensive and collision coverage for your coaches | Repairs or replacement of high-value coaches after a crash, fire, theft or vandalism |
| Uninsured / underinsured motorist | Injuries caused by drivers with little or no insurance | Protects passengers and drivers when the at-fault driver can't pay |
| Medical payments / PIP | Medical bills for passengers regardless of fault, where available | Quick payment of smaller injury claims can prevent lawsuits |
| Hired & non-owned auto | Liability for rented, borrowed or employees' own vehicles | Replacement coaches rented during repairs and staff errands in personal cars |
| General liability | Injuries at your terminal and from non-driving operations | Slips at pick-up points, tour-stop activities and your garage premises |
| Garage / terminal property | Your building, shop tools, parts and business income | A shop fire can take your maintenance operation and income offline |
| Passenger baggage | Loss of or damage to passengers' luggage | Common on tours and multi-day trips |
| Umbrella / excess | Extra liability limits above your auto and general liability | Large-group contracts often require $10M or more in total limits |
| Workers compensation | Employee injuries on the job | Drivers and mechanics face lifting, loading and roadside injuries |
Minimum liability limits for passenger carriers
For-hire carriers that cross state lines must carry at least these limits (49 CFR 387.33) and keep proof on file with the FMCSA. Intrastate carriers follow their state's rules, which are often lower.
16 or more passengers (including the driver)
- At least $5,000,000 combined single limit
- Motorcoaches, mini-coaches and most mini-buses
- Many contracts ask for more through an umbrella
15 or fewer passengers (including the driver)
- At least $1,500,000 combined single limit
- Vans, sprinters and limousines used for hire
- State and airport permits may set other minimums
These are minimums, not recommendations. We will help you choose limits that fit your fleet, routes and contracts.
What underwriters look for
Safety records and driver controls are the biggest factors in which carriers will quote and what you pay.
| Area | What underwriters look for |
|---|---|
| Safety rating and scores | A Satisfactory FMCSA rating and no SMS / BASIC alerts, especially for unsafe driving, hours of service and vehicle maintenance |
| Driver qualification | CDLs with passenger endorsements, current medical cards, prior-employer checks and MVRs at hire and every year |
| Drug and alcohol testing | A DOT-compliant testing program and Clearinghouse queries for every driver |
| Hours of service | ELDs in every vehicle that needs them, a written fatigue policy and relief drivers on long trips |
| Maintenance | A written preventive maintenance schedule, daily inspection reports and annual DOT inspections |
| Technology | Forward- and driver-facing cameras, telematics, and fire suppression in the engine compartment |
| Experience | Years in business under the same USDOT number and the owners' passenger transportation experience |
New authority: carriers with a new USDOT or MC number, a Conditional or Unsatisfactory rating, or a recent out-of-service order have fewer options. Tell us up front so we can go straight to the markets that will quote.
Activities that change your coverage
Tours and packages
Selling tours with lodging, meals or admissions adds tour operator exposure. Ask about professional liability and passenger baggage coverage.
Party buses and alcohol
Alcohol on board raises the risk of passenger injuries and fights. Many carriers exclude it or require strict written controls.
Student and youth groups
Carrying minors brings abuse and molestation exposure. Background checks and a written supervision policy matter.
Brokering trips
Booking trips you can't cover with your own coaches can make you responsible for another carrier's accident. Collect their certificates every time.
Getting a charter bus insurance quote
- Gather your informationYour USDOT and MC numbers, a vehicle list with VINs and values, a driver list with CDL details, your safety program and five years of loss runs.
- Complete the supplemental applicationDownload the PDF or use Begin Application to fill it in online. It covers your authority, operations, fleet, drivers, maintenance and the coverage you want.
- We shop the marketWe take your submission to carriers and specialty markets that write passenger transportation, including excess and surplus lines when needed.
- Compare and bindWe walk you through limits, deductibles and exclusions, then bind coverage, file proof of insurance with the FMCSA and issue the certificates your customers ask for.
Charter bus and motorcoach insurance questions
How much liability insurance does a charter bus company need?
Interstate for-hire carriers of 16 or more passengers must carry at least $5 million. Vehicles seating 15 or fewer need at least $1.5 million. Many customers and contracts ask for higher limits through an umbrella policy.
Do I need to file proof of insurance with the FMCSA?
Yes, if you operate interstate for hire. Your insurance company files the required form with the FMCSA, and your operating authority depends on that filing staying active.
Can I get coverage with a new USDOT number?
Usually, though fewer carriers will quote. Experienced owners and drivers, a written safety program and newer equipment all help.
Are my passengers' bags covered?
Not automatically. Passenger baggage coverage can be added to protect luggage and personal items lost or damaged on your trips.
What if I book a trip and another company drives it?
You may still be named in a lawsuit if that carrier has an accident. Check their authority and safety record, and get a certificate of insurance naming your company before every trip.
What does it cost to work with Societies Insurance?
There is no fee for quoting. We compare carriers for you and are paid by the carrier you choose.
Ready to protect your charter bus company?
Download the Charter Bus / Motorcoach supplemental application, fill it in online, or call 800-616-3490 to talk through your coverage.
This is a general overview. Coverage, availability, pricing and underwriting requirements vary by state, carrier and policy, and the issued policy controls. Federal limits are from 49 CFR 387.33 and may change. Also see our School Bus / Student Transport and Church Van / Bus pages.