Your renewal prep checklist.
What to do at 90, 60, 30, and 15 days before your policy ends. The same playbook commercial brokers walk through internally — yours to keep, no sign-up required.
Exactly what to do, and when
Start the comparison
Pull a few quotes — not to switch yet, just to know where the market is. Underwriters will give you their best numbers when they have time. Quotes pulled at 90 days are almost always better than the same quotes pulled at 30.
- Get 2-3 comparison quotes from independent brokers
- Note your current declarations page side-by-side with quoted alternatives
- Flag any coverage you're carrying but never use
Audit what you're paying for
Look at your current policy as if you're seeing it for the first time. Liability limits, cargo declared value, trailer interchange, downtime — every line item should justify itself. This is when most carriers realize they've been paying for ghosts.
- Verify BMC-91 minimum is correct for your operation
- Check cargo declared value matches what you actually haul
- Drop endorsements you no longer need (added drivers who left, sold trailers, etc.)
Lock in your decision
This is where most carriers wait too long. Inside the final month, underwriters get cautious — pricing stiffens, options narrow, brokers become harder to reach. If you're going to switch, sign the new policy here so binding lines up cleanly with your end date.
- Final quote review with chosen carrier
- Confirm BMC-91 will be filed effective the day your current policy ends
- List every broker, shipper, and lienholder for COI re-issues
Pre-flight checks
Coverage is bound, paperwork is moving. Last chance to confirm the small stuff doesn't bite you on day one of the new policy.
- Confirm new carrier has all unit details (VINs, GVWR, garaging address)
- Forward the welcome email to your accounting team
- Triple-check the effective date on your binding letter
Clean cutover
Old policy ends 11:59pm, new policy starts 12:00am. BMC-91 stays continuous. Trucks move. You don't get a single phone call from your prior carrier — we handle the cancellation notice. Refund tracking starts.
- New COIs out to every broker on your list
- Cancellation notice filed with prior carrier
- Refund timeline confirmed (typically 30-45 days, pro-rata)
Four mistakes that cost carriers thousands
Waiting until day 30
By 30 days out, underwriters are guarded and your prior carrier is already drafting the renewal. You lose negotiating room.
Only getting one quote
One quote isn't a comparison, it's a confirmation. You need 2-3 from independent brokers to actually see the market.
Renewing on autopilot
Auto-renewals lock you into your current premium for another 12 months. Carriers know this. Most rate increases happen at silent renewal.
Forgetting the COI list
If your brokers don't have an updated COI on file post-switch, loads stop until they do. Have the list ready by day 30.
Want us to run the prep for you?
We pull the quotes, audit the dec page, line up the binding, and handle every COI. You sign once. Trucks keep moving.
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