Cargo Insurance That Protects What You Haul
The freight on your trailer represents someone's livelihood. Cargo insurance ensures that a theft, accident, or weather event does not leave you holding the financial liability.
Overview
When you accept a load, you accept responsibility for delivering it safely. If that freight is damaged, stolen, or destroyed in transit, you can be held financially liable for its full value — and a single cargo claim can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Motor truck cargo insurance is your financial safety net, covering the value of the goods you transport from pickup to delivery. At Trucking Insurance Today, we build cargo policies that match the specific commodities you haul, the routes you travel, and the contractual requirements imposed by your shippers and brokers. Operating near the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, we understand the high-value, high-volume cargo environment that defines Southern California trucking.
Key Benefits
Commodity-Specific Coverage
We tailor your cargo policy to the exact types of freight you haul — general merchandise, refrigerated goods, electronics, building materials, hazardous materials, or any specialty commodity.
High-Value Load Protection
Hauling loads worth more than your standard cargo limit? We arrange excess cargo coverage or individual load endorsements for high-value shipments.
Reefer Breakdown Coverage
For refrigerated carriers, we include mechanical breakdown coverage for your reefer unit so spoilage claims caused by equipment failure are covered.
Port & Intermodal Expertise
We understand the unique exposures of drayage and intermodal operations — container damage, chassis liability, and port-specific requirements are all addressed in our cargo programs.
Coverage Details
All-Risk Cargo
The broadest form of cargo coverage, protecting against virtually all causes of loss except specific exclusions. Ideal for general freight carriers hauling diverse commodities.
Named Perils Cargo
Covers specific listed causes of loss such as collision, fire, theft, and overturning. More affordable than all-risk but with narrower protection.
Refrigeration Breakdown
Covers spoilage of temperature-sensitive cargo caused by mechanical failure of your reefer unit. Typically added as an endorsement to your main cargo policy.
Earned Freight
Reimburses you for the revenue you would have earned on a load that is lost or destroyed before delivery. Ensures you do not lose both the cargo claim and the hauling fee.
Debris Removal
Covers the cost of cleaning up damaged or spilled cargo from the roadway after an accident. Cleanup costs can easily reach $10,000-$50,000 depending on the commodity.
Why Truckers Choose Us
- Deep knowledge of commodity-specific cargo exposures and exclusions
- Relationships with cargo insurance carriers that specialize in high-risk and high-value freight
- Fast claims processing with dedicated cargo claims adjusters
- Understanding of port, drayage, and intermodal cargo requirements
- Transparent policy language — we explain exactly what is and is not covered before you sign
Frequently Asked Questions
What does cargo insurance cover?
Cargo insurance covers the value of freight you are hauling if it is damaged, destroyed, or stolen while in your possession. This includes damage from accidents, theft, fire, weather events, and in some policies, refrigeration breakdown. Coverage applies from the point of pickup to the point of delivery.
How much cargo insurance do I need?
Your required cargo limit depends on the types and values of freight you haul. Most brokers require a minimum of $100,000 in cargo coverage, but many loads exceed that value. We recommend carrying coverage equal to the maximum load value you are likely to haul.
Is cargo insurance required by the FMCSA?
The FMCSA requires motor carriers transporting household goods to carry minimum cargo insurance. For other commodity types, cargo insurance is not federally mandated but is practically required because shippers, brokers, and freight intermediaries will not tender loads to uninsured carriers.
What is the difference between cargo insurance and freight insurance?
Motor truck cargo insurance protects the carrier (trucker) against claims for freight loss or damage. Freight insurance or shipping insurance is purchased by the shipper to protect their own goods. As a carrier, you need motor truck cargo insurance to protect yourself against claims from shippers whose goods you damage or lose.
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