Understanding UIIA Requirements and How to Stay Compliant
🏗️ What Is the UIIA?
If your fleet hauls containers in and out of ports or rail yards, you’ve probably heard of the UIIA — the Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Access Agreement.
It’s a national framework that standardizes the relationship between intermodal truckers, equipment providers, and facility operators.
In plain English: the UIIA governs who’s responsible for what when intermodal equipment (like chassis, containers, or trailers) is interchanged — and it ensures everyone involved has the right insurance coverage and documentation in place.
đź“‹ Why the UIIA Exists
The intermodal industry involves multiple parties — steamship lines, leasing companies, railroads, and motor carriers — all sharing equipment.
Without consistent rules, every provider could have its own agreement and insurance standards.
The UIIA solves that problem by:
Creating a uniform contract accepted across most U.S. ports and rail yards.
Requiring standardized insurance minimums for all participating motor carriers.
Streamlining gate access so only compliant carriers can pick up or return equipment.
It’s administered by the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA), which manages registration, compliance verification, and insurance tracking.
🧾 Key UIIA Insurance Requirements
To stay active under the UIIA, every motor carrier must maintain specific insurance coverages and meet certain minimum limits.
Auto Liability:
Minimum limit of $1,000,000 CSL.
The policy must include “Any Auto” coverage or “Scheduled + Hired/Non-Owned” autos.
General Liability:
Minimum limit of $1,000,000 per occurrence.
Often required to gain access to ports, terminals, and rail yards.
Cargo Coverage:
Typically $100,000 in coverage.
This limit may vary depending on the equipment provider or contract requirements.
Trailer Interchange:
Usually $25,000 or higher.
Protects against damage to non-owned interchanged equipment such as chassis or containers.
Workers’ Compensation:
Coverage must be statutory.
Required whenever the carrier employs drivers or other personnel.
👉 Important:
The Certificate of Insurance (COI) must list UIIA and all participating equipment providers as additional insureds and loss payees, following the UIIA’s strict formatting guidelines.
⚙️ Common Reasons Fleets Fall Out of Compliance
Even well-run fleets can lose their UIIA status for small oversights. Some common issues include:
Expired or mismatched COIs (missing provider names or incorrect wording)
Lapsed coverage or missed renewals
Trailer interchange endorsement missing
Non-admitted carriers providing coverage that isn’t accepted by IANA
Once a fleet falls out of compliance, it can instantly lose access to ports and terminals, causing load delays, storage fees, and contract penalties.
đźš› How to Stay Compliant Year-Round
Staying UIIA-approved isn’t complicated — but it does require attention to detail.
Trucking IQ’s tips:
Use a UIIA-experienced agent. Not all insurance brokers understand intermodal wording or endorsement formats.
Keep renewal dates in one calendar. Track policy expirations and COI submissions at least 30 days in advance.
Verify your insurance carrier is admitted and rated A- or better (A.M. Best).
Review your COI wording carefully. Even one missing line can trigger non-compliance.
Check your IANA portal regularly. Confirm your account shows “Active” for all equipment providers.
🔍 How Trucking IQ Helps
At Trucking IQ, we work directly with carriers to make UIIA compliance simple:
We issue UIIA-formatted certificates with proper endorsements.
We coordinate directly with IANA for COI uploads and approvals.
We monitor renewal cycles so you stay active without interruptions.
Our goal is to help fleets spend less time chasing paperwork — and more time hauling freight.
🧠The Bottom Line
UIIA compliance is more than just another box to check — it’s your ticket to steady intermodal freight access.
With the right insurance setup and proactive monitoring, fleets can stay compliant, avoid costly downtime, and protect their relationships with equipment providers and port facilities.
đź’¬ About Trucking IQ
At Trucking IQ, we help carriers stay compliant, insured, and competitive.
From UIIA filings to telematics-based risk management, our team makes trucking insurance smarter and more transparent — so you can focus on moving freight, not chasing forms.
đź“ž Need UIIA-approved coverage? Contact Trucking IQ today for a compliance review.