$75,000 FMCSA broker bond,
filed electronically the same day.
The BMC-84 bond the FMCSA requires of every US freight broker and forwarder. Annual premium from 1.25% of the bond amount on good credit — and we write all credit tiers, including sub-620. Filing is electronic; your MC authority updates in 1–3 business days.
- Electronic FMCSA filing, no paper
- All credit tiers — preferred, standard, sub-620
- Broker and forwarder authorities both covered
The federal financial-responsibility bond for freight brokers.
The BMC-84 is a $75,000 surety bond required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) of every licensed freight broker and freight forwarder operating in the US. It protects motor carriers and shippers from a broker's failure to pay for services.
If a broker collects payment from a shipper but fails to pay the motor carrier who hauled the load, the carrier can file a claim against the broker's bond. The surety pays the carrier up to the $75,000 limit and then collects from the broker. Without an active bond on file, FMCSA will not issue or maintain operating authority.
The alternative — a BMC-85 trust fund — requires tying up $75,000 in cash. Nearly all brokers choose the BMC-84 surety bond so that capital stays in the business.
What you actually pay annually.
The $75,000 is the bond amount. The annual premium is a small percentage of that, based on personal credit, business financials, and broker experience.
| Credit tier | Annual rate | Annual premium |
|---|---|---|
| Preferred 720+ credit, 2+ years experience | 1.25–1.75% | $938–$1,313 |
| Standard 680–719 | 2–3% | $1,500–$2,250 |
| Sub-standard 620–679 | 3–5% | $2,250–$3,750 |
| High-risk Below 620 / new broker | 5–10% | $3,750–$7,500 |
New brokers with no prior experience typically start in the standard or sub-standard tier regardless of credit, then earn preferred pricing after 2 years of clean operations.
Four steps, approval same day, FMCSA filing within 72 hours.
- 01
Submit application & soft credit
Name, MC number (if assigned), business structure, experience, financials for new brokers. Soft credit only at this stage.
- 02
Receive quote, sign, pay
Exact premium and indemnity agreement. Electronic signature. Payment by card or ACH.
- 03
Bond issues & e-files with FMCSA
Same-day issuance. Surety electronically files the BMC-84 with FMCSA — no mailing, no fax.
- 04
FMCSA updates your authority
FMCSA posts the bond to your MC record within 1–3 business days. You are authorized to broker loads the moment the posting appears in SAFER/URS.
Federal statute, issuing agency, recent changes.
49 U.S.C. §13906 requires every freight broker and freight forwarder to maintain $75,000 in financial responsibility. MAP-21 (2012) raised the amount from $10,000 to $75,000 effective October 1, 2013.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), US Department of Transportation.
$75,000 — same whether you are a broker, forwarder, or hold both authorities.
Continuous — the bond has no expiration. Premium bills annually. Cancellation requires 30 days written notice to FMCSA.
Motor carriers for unpaid freight charges, shippers for misappropriated funds, and any party with a documented broker-payment dispute.
Broker bonds written daily, filed electronically, renewed on autopay.
Same-day issuance, e-filed
Bond issues, signs, pays, and files with FMCSA the same day you start. FMCSA updates authority in 1–3 business days — not weeks.
All credit, all experience levels
Preferred markets for seasoned brokers with 720+ credit. Specialty programs for new brokers and sub-620 applicants. We place hard risks other agents turn away.
No lapses, ever
Autopay on annual renewals. We notify you 60 and 30 days before billing so FMCSA never cancels your authority over a missed premium.
If you broker freight, you may need these too.
Broker bond questions we get daily.
How much does a $75,000 freight broker bond cost?
The bond amount is $75,000 — set by the FMCSA. What you pay is the annual premium, which is credit-based. On strong credit (700+), premiums typically run $938–$1,875 per year (1.25%–2.5%). Mid-range credit is $1,875–$3,750 (2.5%–5%). Sub-620 credit can run $4,500–$7,500 or more. We write all credit tiers through specialty markets.
What is the difference between a BMC-84 bond and a BMC-85 trust?
Both satisfy the FMCSA's $75,000 financial-responsibility requirement for freight brokers and forwarders. A BMC-84 is a surety bond — you pay an annual premium (a small percentage of $75,000) and the surety backs the full amount. A BMC-85 is a trust fund where you deposit the full $75,000 in cash (or a letter of credit) and it sits locked up until you cancel your authority. Most brokers choose the BMC-84 because it does not tie up working capital.
How is the freight broker bond filed with the FMCSA?
We file it electronically through the FMCSA's Unified Registration System. Once the bond is issued and paid, FMCSA posts it to your MC number within 1–3 business days. You cannot start brokering until the bond is on file and your authority is active.
Why did the freight broker bond go from $10,000 to $75,000?
MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, 2012) raised the minimum from $10,000 to $75,000 effective October 1, 2013. Congress raised it in response to carrier unpaid-invoice claims against brokers — the old $10,000 was not enough to cover carrier losses when a broker went out of business.
Can I get a freight broker bond with bad credit?
Yes. The $75,000 BMC-84 requires more underwriting scrutiny than a simple $10,000 license bond, but we work with markets that write broker bonds for applicants with credit under 620, past bankruptcies, and tax liens. The premium is higher and may require additional financial statements, but we can place almost any applicant.
Do I need separate bonds for a broker and a freight forwarder license?
If you hold both broker and forwarder authority, one $75,000 BMC-84 covers both. If you only hold one, one bond is enough. Motor carriers do not need a BMC-84 — this bond is specific to brokers and forwarders.
What happens if a carrier files a claim against my bond?
Most broker bond claims are from carriers who hauled a load but were not paid. The carrier files with the surety, which investigates. If the debt is documented, the surety pays up to the bond limit. Claims hit the bond in order they are received — if multiple carriers file against the same $75,000, it is first-come-first-served until the limit is exhausted. The surety then collects from the broker.
Does the freight broker bond renew automatically?
The bond itself is continuous — no expiration date — but premium is billed annually. If you do not pay, the surety files a cancellation with FMCSA. FMCSA gives a 30-day notice period; if the bond is not replaced, your operating authority is suspended. We renew on autopay so you never lose authority accidentally.
Get your BMC-84 broker bond today.
$75,000 FMCSA bond, same-day issuance, electronic filing. Every credit tier. No runaround.