Motor truck cargo insurance covers the freight in your care when it’s damaged, lost, or stolen while you’re hauling it. Federal rules don’t require cargo coverage for general freight, but nearly every broker and shipper will ask for a certificate before they tender a load. Transportation Risk Specialists places cargo coverage with A-rated carriers and reads the fine print with you, because cargo policies vary more than almost any other trucking coverage.
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Is cargo insurance required?
- General freight: FMCSA does not set a cargo insurance minimum for for-hire carriers of general (non-household-goods) freight.
- Household goods: For-hire household goods carriers must file cargo coverage of at least $5,000 (BMC-34 or BMC-83).
- Your customers: Brokers and shippers set their own requirements. Many broker-carrier agreements ask for $100,000 of cargo coverage, and high-value loads can require more. Read your agreements, then we’ll set the limit.
What cargo insurance generally covers
Depending on the policy form, cargo coverage can pay for loss or damage to freight caused by:
- Collision or overturn of your truck
- Fire
- Theft (subject to the policy’s theft conditions)
- Other perils named in the policy, or all risks not excluded, depending on the form
Some policies also include debris removal, loading and unloading coverage, or earned freight. Ask us what’s included on your quote.
Exclusions and conditions that matter
This is where cargo claims get denied. We review these with you before you bind:
- Unattended vehicle conditions. Many policies restrict theft coverage when a loaded truck is left unattended or require specific security measures.
- Commodity restrictions. Policies often exclude or limit certain freight, such as electronics, tobacco, alcohol, pharmaceuticals, or high-value goods. If you haul something on the excluded list, the claim may not be covered.
- Reefer breakdown. Spoilage from a refrigeration unit failure is not covered by every cargo policy. Temperature-controlled haulers usually need a reefer breakdown endorsement, and some policies set conditions such as unit age or maintenance records.
- Scheduled vehicles only. Some policies cover cargo only on listed trucks or trailers.
- Per-vehicle and per-load limits. Make sure your limit applies to how you actually load and how many trucks might be loaded at one location.
- Deductibles. Know what you’ll pay out of pocket on a claim.
Who needs it
- Owner-operators running under their own authority
- Fleets hauling for brokers or direct shippers
- Reefer, flatbed, dry van, auto haulers, and other carriers with contract requirements
Leased-on owner-operators are usually covered by the motor carrier’s cargo policy while under dispatch, but check your lease, because some carriers charge cargo deductibles back to the driver.
Motor truck cargo FAQ
How much cargo coverage do I need?
Enough to cover the most valuable load you’ll realistically haul and to meet your broker and shipper agreements. Many brokers ask for $100,000. If you haul higher-value freight, you may need more.
Does my cargo policy cover reefer breakdown?
Only if your policy includes it. Reefer breakdown is often an endorsement with its own conditions and deductible. Temperature-controlled haulers should confirm it in writing before hauling.
Will my cargo policy cover theft at a truck stop?
It depends on the policy’s theft and unattended-vehicle conditions. Some policies require the truck to be locked, the keys removed, or the truck parked in a certain type of location. We’ll walk through the exact wording with you.
Need a cargo certificate today? Call 205-221-5466 or start your quote with your DOT number.
Coverage descriptions are general; actual coverage depends on the policy issued. Household goods cargo minimum source: FMCSA, “Insurance Filing Requirements.”