Motor truck cargo insurance covers the freight you're hauling. Learn what's covered, what's excluded, and how to make sure your load is fully protected.
When you're hauling someone else's freight, you're responsible for it from the moment it's loaded onto your truck until it's delivered. Motor truck cargo insurance protects you if that freight is damaged, stolen, or lost in transit.
Most shippers and brokers require proof of cargo insurance before they'll work with you. Standard coverage amounts range from $100,000 to $250,000, but high-value loads may require more.
Key things to understand about cargo coverage: it typically excludes certain commodities like live animals, currency, and fine art. Refrigerated cargo requires a separate reefer breakdown endorsement. And most policies have a per-occurrence deductible that you'll pay out of pocket before coverage kicks in.
One often-overlooked aspect is the difference between "all-risk" and "named perils" cargo policies. All-risk covers any cause of loss not specifically excluded, while named perils only covers losses from specific causes listed in the policy. All-risk is generally the better choice for most truckers.
Need help finding the right cargo coverage? Our specialists at Florida Truck & Transport Insurance can walk you through your options.