Amazon Relay Insurance Requirements: $1M Auto, $100K Cargo and What FMCSA Doesn't Require

Note: This guide covers the insurance a trucking company needs to haul Amazon Relay loads. Amazon Relay is not Amazon Flex: Flex drivers deliver packages in their own cars and are covered in our separate Amazon Flex guide.

Quick Answer: Amazon Relay Insurance Requirements

To book loads on Amazon Relay in the US, a carrier needs at least $1,000,000 auto liability, $100,000 cargo, $1,000,000 / $2,000,000 general liability, $100,000 employer's liability and workers' compensation. These are Amazon's contract requirements, not the law, and they are higher than federal law in almost every line.

Amazon also requires interstate operating authority that has been active for at least 180 days, which federal law does not.

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Amazon Relay vs Federal Law: Where the Gap Is

A carrier can be fully legal under FMCSA rules and still not qualify for Relay. Federal rule 49 CFR 387.9 requires $750,000 of liability for for-hire carriers of general freight in vehicles of 10,001 lb or more. Amazon asks for $1,000,000.

The bigger gap is in the coverages federal law does not require at all. For general freight, there is no federal cargo, general liability or employer's liability requirement. The only federal cargo rule (49 CFR 387.303(c)) applies to household-goods carriers. A new carrier that has bought exactly what its MC filing needs — a $750,000 auto liability policy — is short on four lines of Amazon's list.

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The Trailer Coverage Contradiction

Amazon's own pages describe the $50,000 trailer requirement two different ways:

• The Relay FAQ and a 2024 Amazon guide say auto liability must be at least $1,000,000 "including a trailer replacement coverage of $50,000". On that reading, it applies to every carrier.
• Amazon's February 2026 insurance guide says: "If you're running a semi, you'll also need $50,000 in trailer interchange coverage." On that reading, it applies only to tractor operators.

The difference matters most for box truck carriers, who never pull an Amazon trailer. Trailer interchange covers damage to a trailer you do not own while it is in your care, typically Amazon's own trailers on power-only loads. Box truck carriers should expect Amazon's verification vendor to check their certificate against whichever version it applies, and should ask Relay support before buying cover they may not need, or finding out at booking that they lack it.

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Requirements by Equipment Type

"Power-only" is not a separate programme on Relay. It means hauling an Amazon-supplied trailer, which is why the semi-only trailer interchange line exists.

Box truck carriers sometimes read that Relay requires a Class B CDL. Amazon's published requirements do not say so; whether a CDL is needed depends on the truck's weight rating under federal and state licensing rules, not on Relay.

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Authority and Safety Requirements

Insurance is only half the onboarding check. Amazon also requires:

• A DOT number with interstate authority active for at least 180 days, and a valid MC number. You can apply earlier, and Relay will keep the application open until you reach 180 days.
• Entity type "Carrier", authorised for property and for-hire.
• An FMCSA safety rating of Satisfactory, None or Not Rated.
• BASIC scores below 60% for Unsafe Driving and Hours-of-Service Compliance, and below 75% for Vehicle Maintenance, Controlled Substances/Alcohol and Driver Fitness.
• Inspection violation rates at or below 35% for drivers and 50% for vehicles.

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How Amazon Checks Your Insurance

Carriers do not upload a certificate the way gig drivers upload an ID card. Amazon's third-party vendor, RMIS, requests the certificate of insurance directly from your agent, broker or insurer.

• Renewals: enter the new policy dates in the Insurance tab of the Relay portal at least 5 days before the old policy ends. Amazon recommends doing it 2–3 weeks early so RMIS has time to update.
• Non-compliant flag: if a policy falls below Amazon's minimums, the insurer must update the coverage and file the change with the FMCSA.
• Lapse: while insurance is not compliant, the carrier cannot book or haul Relay loads.

Amazon's own estimate of the cost of meeting these requirements is $12,000–$18,000 a year for newer carriers and $8,000–$14,000 for experienced carriers with clean records. That is an estimate, not a requirement, and premiums vary widely by state, equipment and driver history.

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Amazon Relay in Canada and the UK

The requirements change by country, and the cargo figure is the one most often copied wrongly.

In Canada every figure is in Canadian dollars, and cargo rises to C$150,000. Carriers in Quebec also need CNESST registration.

In the UK, Amazon's £1,200,000 motor figure is not an extra demand. It matches the statutory cap on compulsory property-damage cover under section 145 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

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Amazon Freight Partner Is Different

Amazon Freight Partner (AFP) is a separate programme in which a small business runs Amazon-branded trucks for Amazon. Its FAQ says Amazon provides the trucks and covers tolls, truck insurance and fuel, so AFP owners do not buy the Relay insurance list for those trucks. An AFP business that also wants to haul Relay loads must do so under a separate business entity and its own DOT authority, with its own Relay-compliant insurance.

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FAQ

What insurance do I need for Amazon Relay?

In the US: $1,000,000 auto liability, $100,000 cargo, $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate general liability, $100,000 employer's liability and workers' compensation where you operate. Tractor operators also need $50,000 trailer interchange.

What are the Amazon Relay insurance requirements for box trucks?

The same insurance list applies; Amazon publishes no separate box truck schedule. Its pages disagree on whether the $50,000 trailer cover applies to box trucks, so confirm with Relay support. The truck must be a 16' or 26' dock-height box truck with a tuck-under liftgate.

Can I use a cargo van on Amazon Relay?

No. Amazon states that cargo vans cannot be used for Relay loads. Van-based package delivery is Amazon Flex or a Delivery Service Partner, which are different programmes.

Does Amazon Relay require more insurance than the FMCSA?

Yes. Federal law requires $750,000 of auto liability for general freight and no cargo or general liability cover. Amazon requires $1,000,000 auto liability plus cargo, general liability and employer's liability, and 180 days of active authority.

What is the Amazon Relay cargo insurance requirement?

$100,000 in the US and C$150,000 in Canada. In the UK, goods-in-transit cover at RHA terms of £9,000 per tonne or £100,000 full value per vehicle.

How do I update my insurance on Amazon Relay?

Enter the renewed policy in the Insurance tab at least 5 days before the old one ends; Amazon's vendor RMIS then requests the certificate from your agent. Amazon suggests updating 2–3 weeks early.

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Key Takeaways

• Relay requires $1M auto, $100K cargo, $1M/$2M general liability and $100K employer's liability — more than federal law in every line.
• Federal law requires none of the cargo, general liability or employer's liability cover for general freight.
• Interstate authority must be at least 180 days old, with BASIC scores under Amazon's thresholds.
• Amazon's pages contradict each other on whether the $50,000 trailer cover applies only to semis.
• Cargo vans are not accepted; 16' and 26' box trucks with liftgates are.
• Canada requires C$150,000 cargo; the UK uses RHA or full-value goods-in-transit terms.

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Sources

• Amazon Relay — Frequently Asked Questions (relay.amazon.com)
• Amazon Relay — "Understanding insurance requirements for Relay carriers" (February 2026) and "How to become a carrier for Amazon Relay" (April 2024)
• Amazon Relay Canada (relay.amazon.ca) and Amazon Relay UK (relay.amazon.co.uk) requirements pages
• Amazon Freight Partner FAQ (freightpartner.amazon.com)
• 49 CFR §§ 387.9, 387.303 — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
• Road Traffic Act 1988, section 145 — legislation.gov.uk

Last verified: 2026-10

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Important Disclaimer

This guide provides general information about insurance requirements based on publicly available sources as of the "Last verified" date above. It is not legal, insurance, or financial advice. Requirements, penalties, and statutes can change; individual circumstances vary. Always confirm current rules with your state's Department of Insurance or DMV, and consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your situation.