Amazon Relay
Insurance Requirements

The "Box Truck" Rejection Matrix

Amazon is famous for rejecting box truck carriers for these specific insurance gaps.

Middle-Mile vs. Last-Mile: The Vetting Difference

Many carriers confuse Amazon "Last-Mile" delivery (the blue vans delivering to houses) with "Relay Middle-Mile" freight (the 26ft box trucks and semi-trucks moving between warehouses). The vetting for Relay is significantly more rigorous. Amazon Relay requires a full Commercial Auto Liability policy with "Additional Insured" status for all entities. If your agent hasn't worked with Amazon Relay specifically, they likely missed the "Seattle PO Box" requirement, which leads to an instant digital rejection. Furthermore, Relay carriers are held to a higher safety standard, with Amazon pulling real-time CSA data from the FMCSA to determine your "Load Board Priority." If your vehicle maintenance scores rise above the national average, your access to "Early Access" loads is instantly throttled.

The Trailer Interchange Loophole for New Ventures

The most frequent reason for an Amazon Relay rejection is the Trailer Interchange requirement. Even if you are an owner-operator who only hauls your own trailer, Amazon requires a minimum of $50,000 in Trailer Interchange coverage. This is because Amazon utilizes "Drop and Hook" operations where you may be required to pull an Amazon-owned trailer. Many new carriers try to save money by opting for "Non-Owned Trailer" coverage instead, but Amazon's automated system is programmed specifically to look for the "Trailer Interchange" endorsement on the COI. If that specific box isn't checked, your application is rejected. Our Amazon-Ready policies include the exact Interchange language needed to satisfy their digital auditors and keep your trucks moving through the warehouse gates.

Amazon Relay Compliance Audit

SPS Scores and the Safety-Revenue Link

Once you are approved for Amazon Relay, your performance is monitored by a metric called the Service Performance Score (SPS). This score is a combination of your On-Time Delivery record, your Acceptance Rate, and your FMCSA Safety Compliance. Amazon is particularly sensitive to "Vehicle Maintenance" violations. If your CSA scores for tires, brakes, or lights rise above the national average, Amazon’s system pulls that data and can automatically lower your SPS. A low SPS means you lose access to high-paying "linehaul" loads, leaving you with only the lowest-paying "short-haul" freight. We provide safety-compliant insurance that includes a "Safety Audit Guarantee," helping you keep your SPS high and your Amazon load access profitable.

Workers Comp: The State-by-State Minefield

For carriers operating in states like California, New York, or Florida, Amazon Relay often requires proof of Workers Compensation insurance—even for single-driver owner-operators. If you are a "Sole Proprietor" and attempt to use an "Exemption" form, Amazon may still reject your application depending on the specific lane you are applying for. This is because Amazon’s legal team views "Uninsured Drivers" as a massive liability risk. We provide Occupational Accident (Occ-Acc) policies that are designed to bridge the gap between Workers Comp and traditional health insurance, satisfying Amazon’s safety requirements for individual drivers while keeping your premiums low. Without this specific filing, you may be blocked from the most profitable freight lanes in the country.

The "Amazon Offset" & Claims Management

Amazon is both the broker and the shipper. When a cargo claim occurs—such as a damaged pallet or a late delivery fine—they do not wait for your insurance company to investigate. Instead, they "offset" the claim amount directly from your future settlements. This can kill a new carrier's cash flow in 24 hours. Our Amazon-Ready policies include Nil-Deductible cargo options and specialized claims support to manage the "Amazon Offset" process. We work with Amazon's claims adjusters to ensure that minor damages don't turn into a financial crisis for your business.