Is cargo insurance legally required?

Not by law for most operations, but contractually required by nearly every shipper and broker. Motor truck cargo is the standard coverage.

What's the difference between scheduled and blanket cargo?

Scheduled rates each commodity individually and is best when you haul predictable freight. Blanket sets one rate for everything you haul and is best for mixed freight.

Is reefer breakdown automatic?

No — refrigeration breakdown requires a specific endorsement. Without it, claims from temperature excursions are typically denied.

What's a common cargo sub-limit?

Theft sub-limits of $25K–$100K are common. High-value or high-theft commodities require itemized scheduling.

Does cargo insurance cover loading damage?

Damage during loading/unloading is generally a general liability issue, not cargo. We typically add GL alongside cargo for full protection.

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Trucking · Motor Truck Cargo

Motor Truck Cargo Insurance — coverage for the freight you haul

Motor truck cargo insurance protects the freight in your care, custody, and control while it's being transported. Most shipper and broker contracts require it. We structure limits by commodity, add reefer breakdown when needed, and handle the endorsements that close common gaps.

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At a Glance

Common limits: $25K – $250K
Rating: Scheduled or blanket
Endorsements: Reefer, theft, debris removal
Required by: Brokers / shippers

Quick answer

Ellie Insurance Group is an independent business insurance agency headquartered in Tampa, Florida that shops 100+ carrier markets to review motor truck cargo insurance needs for motor carriers and owner-operators. Commercial auto liability, physical damage, and motor truck cargo address different exposures; filings and federal financial responsibility depend on the operation and authority. A licensed agent can review your trucks, drivers, cargo, and lanes to discuss available options.

Coverage

What this trucking program covers

Cargo limit
Per-conveyance limit covers freight in transit; sub-limits often apply to commodities and theft.
Reefer breakdown
Endorsement covers loss from refrigeration unit failure — not automatic.
Debris removal
Cleanup costs after an accident; usually 25% of the cargo limit.
Earned freight
Lost freight charges when cargo is destroyed.
Pollution cleanup
First-party cleanup for spills from cargo (limited).

Federal authority and the right insurance filings sit underneath all of this. If you run interstate, see how FMCSA filings and financial-responsibility rules (MCS-90, BMC-91/91X, BOC-3, and UCR) tie into the coverage above.

Common gaps

What it typically won't cover

Cargo theft past sub-limit (typically $25K–$100K)
Reefer breakdown without endorsement
Improperly secured cargo (49 CFR Part 393 failures)
Money, securities, jewelry, or precious metals
Live animals and hazardous materials without specific schedule
Loading and unloading damage (general liability concern)

Illustrative loss scenarios

Where coverage questions arise

These examples illustrate exposures, not actual Ellie claims or guarantees of payment. The policy terms and loss facts determine whether a claim is covered.

Reefer failure spoils a perishable load

A refrigeration unit fails overnight and a full produce load arrives spoiled. Cargo responds only if the reefer-breakdown endorsement is in place; the base cargo form excludes mechanical refrigeration failure.

Cargo theft from a truck stop

A trailer of electronics is stolen from an unsecured lot. Cargo pays up to the theft sub-limit — often far below the load value — so a higher theft endorsement is what protects high-value freight.

Accident with debris cleanup

A rollover scatters freight and packaging across the highway. The cargo policy's debris-removal provision (commonly 25% of the limit) covers cleanup costs the auto policy won't.

Pricing

What drives this premium

Commodity hauled

General freight cheapest; electronics, alcohol, and refrigerated load premium.

Limit selected

$25K–$100K most common; $250K+ for high-value or contract-required limits.

Operating radius

Long-haul rates higher than local or regional.

Loss history

Cargo claims drive cargo premium more than auto premium.

Scheduled vs blanket

Scheduled rates individually; blanket sets one rate for all commodities.

Theft endorsement

Required for high-theft commodities; usually adds 10–25% to premium.

Want a realistic budget before you quote? See typical Florida truck insurance cost ranges by vehicle for primary liability, cargo, and full-program estimates across every equipment type.

Filings & compliance

Authority and insurance filings come first

Cargo coverage is usually a contract requirement from brokers and shippers rather than an FMCSA filing, but for-hire interstate carriers still need BMC-91/91X public-liability filings and — where required — a BMC-34 cargo filing on the operating authority. We confirm what your contracts and authority demand.

Read the FMCSA filings guide

Quote checklist

What we'll need to quote

Quote checklist

What we'll need to quote

Power unit count and commodity mix
Average and maximum load value
Operating radius and primary lanes
Refrigerated requirements (if any)
Five-year cargo loss history
Shipper/broker contract limit requirements

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Not by law for most operations, but contractually required by nearly every shipper and broker. Motor truck cargo is the standard coverage.
Scheduled rates each commodity individually and is best when you haul predictable freight. Blanket sets one rate for everything you haul and is best for mixed freight.
No — refrigeration breakdown requires a specific endorsement. Without it, claims from temperature excursions are typically denied.
Theft sub-limits of $25K–$100K are common. High-value or high-theft commodities require itemized scheduling.
Damage during loading/unloading is generally a general liability issue, not cargo. We typically add GL alongside cargo for full protection.

Keep reading

Explore related coverage

Trucking Hub

All programs and core lines for motor carriers.

FMCSA Filings

MCS-90, BMC-91/91X, BOC-3, UCR, and authority explained.

Cost by Vehicle

Florida truck insurance price ranges by vehicle and operation.

Motor Truck Cargo

Cargo coverage by commodity.

Non-Trucking Liability

Liability questions for qualifying personal, nonbusiness use.

Commercial Auto

Auto liability fundamentals.

Workers' Compensation

WC for company drivers.

Sources

Authoritative references

Coverage descriptions and regulatory figures on this page are general summaries reviewed against the references above and are not a statement of coverage, legal advice, or a guarantee of eligibility or price. Last reviewed June 30, 2026. Requirements and policy terms change — always confirm current rules with the relevant agency and verify coverage against the actual policy and a licensed agent.

Carrier access

Access to 100+ A-rated commercial markets

As an independent agency we shop 100+ admitted and surplus-lines carrier markets — so the carrier competes for your business, not the other way around.