- Facts at a Glance
- What Is the UIIA?
- Who Needs the UIIA?
- UIIA Insurance Requirements
- The Hold-Harmless Endorsement
- How to Register: 6 Steps
- SCAC Code
- Renewals and the 12:01 a.m. Rule
- Which Insurers Write UIIA?
- 9 Mistakes That Get UIIA Insurance Rejected
- What This Means for Your Business
- How We Verified This Article
- 15 Frequently Asked Questions
- Sources & References
Facts at a glance
What Is the UIIA?
The Uniform Intermodal Interchange & Facilities Access Agreement (UIIA) is one contract that replaces a stack of individual agreements between a trucker and each equipment provider (EP) they work with. IANA — the Intermodal Association of North America, which administers the program — describes it as the only standard industry contract governing the interchange of equipment between intermodal motor carriers and equipment providers.
Equipment providers are the ocean carriers, railroads, and equipment leasing companies that own the containers, chassis, and trailers you pull out of ports and rail ramps. The agreement is overseen by the Intermodal Interchange Executive Committee, a ten-member group representing ocean, rail, motor carrier, and leasing interests.
The scale is why it matters: IANA reports more than 13,000 motor carrier signatories and 58 equipment provider signatories, and says the UIIA is used for roughly 95% of North American intermodal equipment interchanges.
Who Needs the UIIA?
Motor carriers that pick up equipment they do not own from ports, rail ramps, or steamship lines — drayage companies, port truckers, and owner-operators pulling containers or chassis. Because IANA reports the UIIA governs about 95% of these interchanges, a carrier in that work should assume it applies.
Two facts from IANA worth knowing: joining the UIIA does not set up work for you — you still contact each equipment provider — and IANA provides a Terminal Feed Service that sends carrier status to participating providers’ facilities, so keeping your UIIA status and insurance current is not just paperwork.
UIIA Insurance Requirements
The table summarizes IANA’s published motor carrier insurance requirements. Equipment providers set their own cargo and trailer interchange limits and deductibles, so always check the rules of every EP you plan to work with.
The Hold-Harmless Endorsement: UIIE-1, CA 23 17, TE 23 17B
IANA calls it the Truckers Uniform Intermodal Interchange Endorsement, and it is required on the auto liability policy. Any one of three forms is acceptable: UIIE-1, CA 23 17, or TE 23 17B.
Two practical points. (1) Progressive’s own UIIA page notes that many terminals and equipment providers check for this endorsement — so ask your agent for the endorsement page itself, not only a certificate. (2) For policies written by Progressive, Knight’s Specialty, Trisura, and Accredited Specialty, IANA requires extra confirmation (of the endorsement, hired auto coverage, and additional-insured endorsements) before the policy is accepted.
How to Register for the UIIA: 6 Steps
IANA’s process for new motor carriers is straightforward if you line things up in the right order:
Confirm your authority
IANA requires your US DOT number (and MC number for port or rail-ramp work). Your FMCSA record must show active under the same company name you use on the application.
Get your SCAC code
UIIA requires a SCAC issued by NMFTA. Apply first — your agent needs it for the first insurance submission.
Gather company details
Company name, address, e-mail, phone, and your Federal Tax ID (EIN).
Register online with IANA
Complete the online registration. Activation happens once all required information is received — within 30 days, or the pending account is deleted.
Have your agent submit insurance
Agents are registered authorized users; insurance is submitted online (IANA no longer accepts documents by mail). They need your SCAC and Insurance Agent Code.
Set up work with each EP
The UIIA sets up the interchange contract, but you contact each equipment provider to set up work. The annual fee is charged once you are active with at least one EP.
SCAC Code: What It Is and How to Get One
A SCAC (Standard Carrier Alpha Code) is, in NMFTA’s words, the freight industry’s universal carrier identifier. It is issued and governed exclusively by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) — IANA does not issue it — and the UIIA requires that you have a current one. IANA describes it as a four-letter code.
Carriers apply through NMFTA’s official SCAC application system for issuance or annual renewal, and non-Class 8 carriers must now complete identity verification during the process (per NMFTA). For renewal, IANA notes a physical address is required — a P.O. box is not acceptable. Start early: your agent needs the SCAC before submitting insurance to the UIIA for the first time. Sources: NMFTA — SCAC; IANA — UIIA FAQ.
Renewals and the 12:01 a.m. Rule
The UIIA system expires policies at 12:01 a.m. on the expiration date — even if your policy is technically good through 11:59 p.m. that day.
Submit your renewal before the expiration date, and make sure the renewal’s effective date matches the expiring policy’s end date. IANA’s own example: a policy expiring 5/1 should renew effective 5/1, not 5/2 — the one-day gap is a gap in the UIIA system.
IANA sends carriers reminders ahead of expiration and lets agents submit insurance online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Put the date on your calendar anyway — and ask your agent to confirm the submission was accepted, not just sent. (IANA — Quick Reference for Insurance Agents (rev. May 14, 2026); IANA — Benefits of UIIA participation)
Which Insurers Write UIIA?
Not every trucking insurer offers UIIA-compliant coverage. IANA singles out four insurers whose policies need extra confirmation within 24 hours of the certificate being submitted, and says the UIIA accepts risk retention group (RRG) insurance — but several equipment providers do not. If you work with those EPs, an RRG policy may not be enough.
Progressive is worth watching. IANA notes that since January 22, 2026 Progressive writes UIIA coverage only on a limited basis, and on September 29, 2026 Progressive told its agency partners it had launched additional states for non-fleet (0–9 units) and small fleet (10+ units) accounts, bringing its program to 38 states. Read the full breakdown and state list →
9 Mistakes That Get UIIA Insurance Rejected or Delayed
Each item below comes directly from IANA’s published requirements:
- Auto policy written “All Owned” only or “Scheduled Only.” IANA does not accept either.
- Missing hold-harmless endorsement (UIIE-1 / CA 23 17 / TE 23 17B) on the auto liability policy.
- In-transit cargo wording. IANA requires Motor Truck Cargo / Cargo coverage.
- No cargo or trailer interchange limit shown — or limits below what your equipment providers require.
- Equipment providers not named as additional insured (and no blanket additional-insured wording).
- A gap between the expiring and renewal policy (5/1 vs. 5/2).
- Submitting the renewal after the expiration date.
- An RRG policy with an EP that does not accept RRGs.
- Company name mismatch between your FMCSA record and your UIIA application.
What This Means for Your Business
If you already run intermodal freight, treat your UIIA insurance like an operating asset, not paperwork: put every expiration date on a calendar 30 days ahead, keep the endorsement page (not just the certificate) in your file, and re-check equipment provider requirements whenever you add a new provider — IANA notes that after a certificate is submitted it cannot be adjusted, so adding a provider means a new submission.
If you are about to start, order matters: authority and SCAC first, insurance second, equipment provider setup third. And if your insurer or state options are limited, know that the market is moving — Progressive’s program grew to 38 states on Sept. 29, 2026 (details), and trailer interchange coverage is where many first-time UIIA carriers need the most explanation (guide).
How Ensure Inc. Can Help
At Your Ensure Inc in Barrington, Illinois, our Transportation Risk Specialists focus on commercial trucking accounts. If you send us your details, we will:
- Compare your current policies with IANA’s published requirements and the rules of the equipment providers you use;
- Check the auto policy form, hold-harmless endorsement, additional-insured wording, cargo, and trailer interchange limits;
- Flag renewal dates against the UIIA’s 12:01 a.m. expiration rule;
- Tell you straight what is available for your state and equipment count — including Progressive’s expanded UIIA program where it applies.
- Read IANA’s UIIA overview, Insurance Requirements page, motor carrier participation and benefits pages, the UIIA FAQ, and the Quick Reference for Insurance Agents (revised May 14, 2026).
- Read NMFTA’s SCAC page and Progressive Commercial’s public UIIA page.
- Every number in this article (limits, days, counts) is copied from those pages; nothing is estimated. We do not quote insurance prices because none of these sources publish them.
- IANA’s documents are the authority. IANA states it cannot provide legal interpretations of the agreement.
- IANA’s UIIA participation fee amount (not published in its FAQ).
- Individual equipment providers’ current cargo and trailer interchange limits (they vary; see each provider’s rules).
Spotted an error? Email request@yourensure.com and we will check it and log the fix in the Update Log below.
Your Ensure Inc was established in 2015 by Monika Lajewska as a one-woman operation and is now a team of insurance professionals with expertise in transportation accounts. Our team includes Transportation Risk Specialists — a designation offered by the Motor Carrier Insurance Education Foundation (MCIEF), a nonprofit that provides education to insurance professionals who serve the transportation industry.
Languages: English, Polish, Ukrainian, Russian (varying by team member) · Office: 101 Lions Dr Ste 110, Barrington, IL 60010 · Phone: 1-847-316-9933 · Meet the team →
A Note on Language
UIIA paperwork is technical — even for native English speakers. Our team at Your Ensure Inc works with trucking clients in English, Polish, Ukrainian, and Russian, so requirements, endorsements, and deadlines get explained in the language you are most comfortable with — before you commit to a policy.
Frequently Asked Questions About UIIA Insurance
Answers to the most common questions about UIIA Insurance, drawn from what people search for and from IANA’s own FAQ. Tap a question to open its answer — one at a time. Each answer starts with the short version, then the detail, then the source. Last verified: September 29, 2026.
What is the UIIA and what does UIIA stand for?
The UIIA is the Uniform Intermodal Interchange & Facilities Access Agreement — the standard industry contract between intermodal motor carriers and equipment providers (ocean carriers, railroads, and equipment leasing companies). IANA describes it as the only standard industry contract governing the interchange of equipment between intermodal motor carriers and equipment providers. IANA reports more than 13,000 motor carrier signatories and 58 equipment provider signatories.
Source: IANA — UIIA overview; IANA — UIIA FAQ.
Who needs to join the UIIA?
Motor carriers that interchange intermodal equipment — containers, chassis, or trailers — owned by ocean carriers, railroads, or leasing companies generally need to participate, because IANA reports the UIIA is used for roughly 95% of North American intermodal equipment interchanges. Joining does not set up work for you: the UIIA sets up the interchange contract with participating equipment providers, but you still contact each provider directly to set up work.
Source: IANA — UIIA overview; IANA — UIIA FAQ.
What insurance does the UIIA require?
IANA requires $1,000,000 combined single limit auto liability, $1,000,000 per occurrence general liability, a hold-harmless endorsement (UIIE-1, CA 23 17, or TE 23 17B), cargo insurance, and trailer interchange coverage, with each equipment provider you work with named as additional insured. The auto policy must be written as Any Auto, Scheduled and Hired, or All Owned and Hired. Cargo and trailer interchange limits and deductibles vary by equipment provider. Workers’ compensation and employer’s liability are required where applicable, for example when doing business with railroads. Policies must give 30 days’ notice of cancellation (10 days for non-payment).
Source: IANA — UIIA Insurance Requirements; IANA — Quick Reference for Insurance Agents (rev. May 14, 2026).
What is the UIIE-1, CA 23 17, or TE 23 17B endorsement?
It is the Truckers Uniform Intermodal Interchange Endorsement — the hold-harmless endorsement IANA requires on the auto liability policy. Any of the three forms is acceptable. Progressive’s UIIA page notes that many terminals and equipment providers check for this endorsement, so ask your agent for the endorsement itself, not only a certificate.
Source: IANA — UIIA FAQ; Progressive Commercial — UIIA insurance.
Do I need a SCAC code, and who issues it?
Yes. The UIIA requires a current Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC), and it is issued by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) — not by IANA or the UIIA office. IANA describes the SCAC as a four-letter code. NMFTA handles issuance and annual renewal through its official application, and IANA notes that a physical address (not a P.O. box) is required for renewal. Apply early: your insurance agent needs your SCAC to submit your insurance to the UIIA.
Source: IANA — UIIA FAQ; NMFTA — SCAC.
How do I register for the UIIA? Is there a UIIA “certification”?
Searches often say “UIIA certification,” but IANA’s term is participation: you register online as a motor carrier, provide your company details, USDOT number, Federal Tax ID, and SCAC code, and meet the insurance requirements. After registering you have 30 days to activate the account. Once you are active, the UIIA sets up the interchange contract with participating equipment providers — you then contact each provider to set up work.
Source: IANA — Apply for UIIA participation; IANA — UIIA FAQ.
How long does UIIA registration take?
IANA reviews applications when they are submitted online and activates the account once all required information is received — but a pending account is deleted if the information is not complete within 30 days of starting the application. For insurance, IANA says certificates submitted online are processed immediately unless the information has an adverse impact on the insured’s account, and the system displays a “Smart Checklist” of anything still needed.
Source: IANA — UIIA FAQ.
How much does UIIA participation cost?
IANA charges an annual administrative service fee to participate, with a discounted rate for IANA members; the fee is not charged until your account is active with at least one equipment provider. IANA’s FAQ does not publish the amount, so check the current fee when you register. The fee is separate from the cost of the insurance, which depends on your state, number of units, drivers, loss history, cargo, and equipment providers — the only way to get a real number is a quote based on your operation.
Source: IANA — UIIA FAQ; IANA — Apply for UIIA participation.
Which numbers and documents do I need to register?
IANA requires your US DOT number and Federal Tax ID (EIN), plus a SCAC code; an MC number is required for carriers operating in or out of ports or intermodal rail facilities, with limited exceptions for private and exempt-for-hire carriers. Your FMCSA record must show active under the same company name as your UIIA application. Carriers that broker loads must register with FMCSA for both broker and motor carrier authority.
Source: IANA — UIIA FAQ; IANA — Apply for UIIA participation.
When does UIIA insurance expire, and how do renewals work?
The UIIA system expires insurance policies at 12:01 a.m. on the expiration date, so a renewal must be submitted before the expiration date. Even if a policy is technically good through 11:59 p.m., the UIIA system expires it at 12:01 a.m. The renewal’s effective date should match the expiring policy’s expiration date (a policy expiring 5/1 should renew effective 5/1, not 5/2). IANA sends carrier reminders ahead of expiration and lets agents submit insurance online 24 hours a day.
Source: IANA — UIIA FAQ; IANA — Quick Reference for Insurance Agents (rev. May 14, 2026); IANA — Benefits of UIIA participation.
Do I need a separate certificate for each equipment provider, and must the UIIA be an additional insured?
No. Agents submit one certificate online that covers all equipment providers named as additional insured, and the UIIA itself is only the certificate holder — it does not need to be named additional insured. After a certificate is submitted no further adjustments can be made: to add an equipment provider, the agent submits a new certificate with the policies that provider requires.
Source: IANA — UIIA FAQ.
Is “in-transit” cargo coverage acceptable for the UIIA?
No. IANA states that in-transit coverage is not acceptable for cargo; the coverage must be written as Motor Truck Cargo or Cargo. Cargo limits and deductibles are set by each equipment provider, so confirm them with every provider you work with.
Source: IANA — UIIA FAQ; IANA — UIIA Insurance Requirements.
Where do I log in to my UIIA account?
Motor carriers log in at mc.uiia.org with their SCAC code and password; insurance agents register and log in at ia.uiia.org; equipment providers use ep.uiia.org. If you forget your password, use the “Forgot Password?” link — IANA sends a reset link to the primary contact e-mail on the UIIA record. For account questions you can e-mail the UIIA office at uiia@intermodal.org.
Source: IANA — UIIA FAQ; IANA — Quick Reference for Insurance Agents (rev. May 14, 2026).
Why do drivers still get stopped at a terminal after my UIIA status is updated?
Because equipment providers must pass carrier status on to their own facilities, and not every provider uses IANA’s Terminal Feed Service — so a delay between your UIIA record and the gate can happen. IANA offers web-based access for carriers to confirm their interchange status before dispatching, so check it with the equipment provider first.
Source: IANA — UIIA FAQ; IANA — Benefits of UIIA participation.
Can any insurance company write UIIA coverage?
No. IANA requires extra confirmation for policies written by Progressive, Knight’s Specialty, Trisura, and Accredited Specialty, and several equipment providers do not accept risk retention group (RRG) policies. Ask your agent who the insurer is and whether your equipment providers accept it. Progressive announced on Sept. 29, 2026 that it expanded its UIIA program to 38 states — see the state list.
Source: IANA — Quick Reference for Insurance Agents (rev. May 14, 2026); IANA — UIIA Insurance Requirements.
- IANA — Uniform Intermodal Interchange & Facilities Access Agreement (overview). intermodal.org/uiia
- IANA — UIIA Insurance Requirements. intermodal.org/uiia/uiia-insurance-requirements
- IANA — UIIA FAQ. intermodal.org/uiia/faq
- IANA — Quick Reference for Insurance Agents (revised May 14, 2026). uiia.intermodal.org (PDF)
- IANA — Motor carriers: apply for UIIA participation. intermodal.org/uiia/motor-carriers-apply-uiia-participation
- IANA — Mission & benefits of UIIA participation. intermodal.org/uiia/motor-carriers
- NMFTA — Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC). scac.nmfta.org
- Progressive Commercial — UIIA Insurance for Intermodal Trucking. progressivecommercial.com
- MCIEF — Motor Carrier Insurance Education Foundation (Transportation Risk Specialist designation). mcief.org
- FreightWaves — Insurance basics: Hauling intermodal (April 9, 2021). freightwaves.com
- September 30, 2026 — Updated. Sources re-checked on Sept. 29, 2026 (IANA, NMFTA, Progressive public pages); added Progressive’s Sept. 29, 2026 announcement of 38 states and the sourced FAQ.
- We log every change here when IANA revises its requirements. Bookmark this page.
This guide is general educational information based on IANA’s published UIIA documents as of the dates shown. It is not a quotation, binder, or guarantee of coverage, and it is not legal or regulatory advice. UIIA requirements, forms, fees, equipment provider rules, insurance availability, eligibility, rates, and policy terms can change at any time and vary by insurer, state, and account. IANA’s documents are the authoritative source — always confirm current requirements with IANA and each equipment provider, and consult a licensed insurance professional.
