The freight broker bond — officially the BMC-84 — is a $75,000 surety bond required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) of all licensed freight brokers and freight forwarders. It is a federal requirement to obtain and maintain your broker operating authority (your MC number).
Who Needs a BMC-84 Bond?
You need a freight broker bond if you:
- Arrange transportation of freight as a broker between shippers and carriers
- Operate as a freight forwarder
- Are applying for FMCSA broker authority (MC number)
- Need to reinstate or maintain your existing broker authority
What the Bond Guarantees
The BMC-84 protects the motor carriers and shippers a broker works with. It guarantees that the broker will meet its financial obligations — primarily paying carriers for the loads they haul. If a broker fails to pay a carrier as agreed, that carrier can file a claim against the bond. This financial guarantee is why the FMCSA requires it before granting broker authority.
BMC-84 vs. BMC-85
The BMC-84 is a surety bond — you pay a small annual premium instead of tying up $75,000 in cash. The BMC-85 is a trust fund requiring the full $75,000 in cash or assets. Most brokers choose the BMC-84 to keep their capital free. We write BMC-84 bonds.
How Much Does It Cost?
You pay an annual premium, not the full $75,000. The premium is a percentage of the bond amount based primarily on your personal credit and business financials. Brokers with strong credit pay the lowest rates. We work with multiple A-rated sureties to secure you the best available premium and can often get you approved quickly.
How to Get Your Freight Broker Bond
- Contact us for a free quote.
- Complete a short application.
- Get approved and pay your premium.
- We file your BMC-84 electronically with the FMCSA to activate your authority.
Why Advanced Surety?
We help freight brokers and forwarders nationwide get bonded fast. With a former underwriter guiding your application and access to multiple sureties, we secure competitive rates and handle electronic FMCSA filing so you can get moving.