Resource · Published October 31, 2026
Commercial Auto Submission Checklist: What Agents Must Collect
Short answer
Collect five things: applicant details on ACORD 125, the business auto section on ACORD 127 with state pages on ACORD 137, a vehicle schedule (VIN, garaging ZIP, GVW, radius, cost new), a driver list with current MVRs, and recently valued loss runs for three to five years.
What information should agents collect for a commercial auto submission?
A complete commercial auto packet covers five areas. Missing any one of them is the most common reason a file comes back from the underwriter:
- Business and operations on ACORD 125: legal name, FEIN, entity type, years in business and a clear description of operations.
- Business auto section on ACORD 127, plus state-specific pages on ACORD 137.
- Vehicle schedule: 17-character VIN, year/make/model, garaging ZIP, GVW, radius, use and cost new.
- Driver list: name, date of birth, license number and state, CDL status, years of experience, and a current MVR.
- Loss history: currently valued loss runs for the prior three to five years from every carrier.
What ACORD forms are required for commercial auto intake?
| Form | What it captures | Common gap |
|---|---|---|
| ACORD 125 | Applicant, entity, operations, prior carriers, general questions | Vague description of operations; unanswered yes/no questions |
| ACORD 127 | Business auto coverages, symbols, limits, vehicles and drivers | Symbols not matching the requested coverage; incomplete driver rows |
| ACORD 137 | State-specific coverages such as UM/UIM and PIP | Missing signed selection or rejection forms |
| Supplements | Fleet safety, hauling, cargo or HNOA questionnaires | Not included at all |
Motor carriers that need federal or state filings may also need proof such as the MCS-90 endorsement. Confirm filing needs with the carrier before going to market.
What vehicle schedule details do underwriters reject when missing?
- VIN: all 17 characters, checked for typos. A wrong VIN means the wrong vehicle gets rated.
- Garaging ZIP: where the vehicle is parked overnight, not just the mailing address.
- Size class (GVW): ISO groups trucks as light (10,000 lbs or less), medium (10,001–20,000), heavy (20,001–45,000) and extra-heavy (over 45,000).
- Radius: local (up to 50 miles), intermediate (51–200 miles) or long distance (over 200 miles).
- Cost new or stated value: needed for physical damage coverage.
- Permanently attached equipment: lifts, cranes, reefer units and similar equipment that adds value.
Which driver records cause instant submission kickbacks?
- No current MVR: underwriters review recent motor vehicle records, typically covering the last three years.
- Wrong license class: drivers of vehicles that require a CDL must hold the right class and endorsements.
- Major violations: DUI/DWI, reckless driving or a suspended license usually need explanation or exclusion.
- Unlisted drivers: anyone who drives an insured vehicle should be listed, or formally excluded where allowed.
What loss run and operations data must accompany the packet?
- Loss runs: three to five years, valued recently, from every prior carrier, with open claims and reserves visible.
- Hired and non-owned auto (HNOA): do employees run errands in their own cars, or does the business rent vehicles?
- Fleet safety: written driver policy, MVR review schedule, phone-use rules, telematics or dashcams.
- Cargo and hauling: what is carried, for whom, and whether any hazardous materials are involved.
Check that loss runs agree with the loss history section of the application. A claim on the loss run that the application says does not exist stops the review.
For other lines, use the full commercial lines coverage checklist, or see why underwriters reject ACORD 126. PacketSlip’s checklist engine flags these gaps before you submit.
Commercial auto submission FAQ
What information should agents collect for a commercial auto submission?
Collect the applicant details on ACORD 125, the business auto section on ACORD 127, any state-specific coverage pages (ACORD 137), a vehicle schedule with VIN, garaging ZIP, GVW, radius and cost new, a driver list with license details and current MVRs, and currently valued loss runs for the prior three to five years.
What is the difference between ACORD 127 and ACORD 137?
ACORD 127 is the Business Auto Section: coverages, symbols, vehicles and drivers. ACORD 137 captures state-specific coverages such as uninsured/underinsured motorist and personal injury protection, which vary by state and often require signed selection or rejection forms.
Why do underwriters need the garaging ZIP code for each vehicle?
Commercial auto is rated by territory. If a vehicle is garaged somewhere other than the mailing address, the underwriter needs the actual garaging location to rate it correctly.
How old can loss runs be for a commercial auto submission?
Carriers set their own rules, but many expect loss runs valued within roughly the last 60 to 90 days, covering three to five prior years.
Do occasional drivers need to be listed?
Usually yes. Carriers generally want every person who drives an insured vehicle listed so their MVR can be reviewed. Drivers the insured does not want covered must be handled with a named driver exclusion where the carrier and state allow it.
Sources and further reading
- ACORD — Forms and standards (ACORD 125, 127, 137)
- FMCSA — Insurance filing requirements for motor carriers
- IRMI — Business auto coverage form glossary
- IRMI — Hired and nonowned auto liability
- Verisk ISO — Commercial auto forms and rating
This guide is general educational information, not legal or coverage advice. Requirements vary by carrier and state; always confirm with the target market.