Motor truck cargo insurance in Florida
Motor truck cargo insurance pays for freight you haul when it is lost or damaged by a covered cause while in your care. It is separate from auto liability, which covers injuries and damage to other people. The liability minimums Florida and federal rules set do not decide your cargo limit; shippers, brokers and contracts usually do.
What does motor truck cargo insurance cover?
It covers the goods you haul, up to your limit, when they are lost or damaged by a covered cause while in your care.
Depending on the policy, covered causes commonly include:
- Collision or overturn of the truck
- Fire
- Theft, subject to the policy's conditions
- Some weather events
The limit is the most the policy pays for a covered load, so it should match the value of your highest-value load. Exclusions decide what is actually covered, which is why they are the next thing to read.
What does motor truck cargo insurance not cover?
Many policies exclude or limit several common losses, so the exclusions matter as much as the limit.
| Common exclusion or limit | What it can mean | Ask the insurer |
|---|---|---|
| Unattended vehicle | Many policies limit or exclude theft from a vehicle left unattended, or cover it only if the truck was locked and in a secure place. | What counts as unattended and what security the policy requires. |
| Refrigeration breakdown | Spoilage from a temperature change is typically excluded unless the policy adds reefer breakdown coverage. | Whether a reefer endorsement is available and its conditions. |
| Certain commodities | Many policies exclude or limit high-value or theft-prone goods, and the list varies by insurer. | Whether your commodity is covered, and at what limit. |
| Theft by drivers or employees | Many policies exclude dishonest acts by employees unless special coverage is added. | Whether employee theft can be covered. |
| Improperly secured or packed loads | Damage blamed on poor loading, securement or packaging may be excluded. | What the insurer expects for securement. |
| Delay and the nature of the goods | Losses from delay, or from the nature of the goods themselves such as natural spoilage, are commonly excluded. | Whether any delay or spoilage cause is covered. |
Does cargo insurance cover refrigerated loads?
Spoilage from a temperature change is typically excluded unless the policy adds reefer breakdown coverage, so refrigerated loads usually need that endorsement.
- Reefer coverage is often limited to a sudden mechanical or electrical breakdown of the refrigeration unit, not to a unit that was off or set incorrectly.
- Some forms set a minimum outage time before coverage applies.
- Maintenance records can matter. An insurer may question a claim if it cannot be shown that the unit was maintained.
If you haul produce, flowers, frozen goods or other temperature-sensitive loads, tell your agent so the cargo quote includes the right endorsement and limit.
How much cargo insurance do shippers and brokers ask for?
There is no single number: shippers, brokers and customers set the cargo limit in their contract or carrier packet, and it often depends on the value of your highest-value load.
The Florida and federal minimums covered on our commercial truck insurance page are liability minimums for injuries and property damage to others, such as Fla. Stat. 627.7415 (opens in a new tab) and 49 CFR 387.9 (opens in a new tab). They do not set your cargo limit. One example of a cargo-related minimum is the Florida household goods mover rule: at least $10,000 per shipment (Fla. Stat. 507.04 (opens in a new tab)).
What to send us
- The insurance section of your contract, carrier agreement or broker packet
- The cargo limit and deductible the contract asks for
- The commodities you haul and your highest-value load
- The certificate holder's name and address
- Any additional insured, loss payee or reefer wording the contract requires
How certificates of insurance work
Request certificates by WhatsApp or email: send the holder's name, address and required wording, and we will request the certificate from the insurer. A certificate summarizes coverage; the policy itself controls.
Sources, checked October 20, 2026
- Fla. Stat. 507.04, mover insurance (opens in a new tab)
- Fla. Stat. 627.7415, commercial motor vehicle liability (opens in a new tab)
- 49 CFR 387.9, minimum financial responsibility (opens in a new tab)
- FreightWaves Checkpoint, commercial truck insurance cost guide (September 21, 2026) (opens in a new tab)
How is cargo insurance different from auto liability and general liability?
Cargo insurance covers the freight in your care, auto liability covers injuries and damage your truck causes to others, and general liability covers business operations other than vehicle accidents.
| Coverage | Pays for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Motor truck cargo | The freight or goods in your care | A pallet of appliances is damaged when the truck overturns. |
| Auto liability | Injuries and property damage your truck causes to other people | Your truck hits a car and injures its driver. |
| Physical damage | Your own truck | Repairs after a collision. |
| General liability | Injuries and property damage from business operations other than vehicle accidents | A visitor is hurt at your yard. |
A cargo policy generally does not pay for injuries to other people, and an auto liability policy generally excludes the goods in your care. Many hauling businesses need more than one of these. For the full set, see commercial truck insurance in Florida.
Frequently asked questions
What is motor truck cargo insurance?
Motor truck cargo insurance pays for the goods you haul for others when they are lost or damaged by a covered cause, such as a collision, overturn or fire, while in your care. It is separate from auto liability, which covers injuries and damage to other people, and its limit is usually set by your shippers, brokers or contracts. Read the exclusions before you rely on it.
How much is cargo insurance?
According to FreightWaves Checkpoint (September 2026), motor truck cargo insurance runs about $500 to $2,500 or more a year depending on the commodity and the limit, and $100,000 is a typical limit, though contracts vary. What you haul, how theft-prone it is, how it is packed and your average load value move the price, and a licensed agent can quote it with several insurers.
Is motor truck cargo insurance required in Florida?
Florida's PIP and liability minimums cover injuries and property damage to other people, not the freight you carry, so cargo limits usually come from your contracts. One example is Florida household goods movers, who must carry at least $10,000 per shipment of liability coverage for household goods. Ask your customers or broker what they require.
Does cargo insurance cover theft from an unattended truck?
Many policies limit or exclude theft from an unattended vehicle, or cover it only if the truck was locked and parked in a secure place. Conditions vary by insurer, so ask what counts as unattended and what security the policy requires before you rely on theft coverage.
Do I need cargo insurance for a refrigerated truck?
Cargo coverage alone typically excludes spoilage from a temperature change, so refrigerated loads usually need reefer breakdown coverage added. It is often limited to a sudden breakdown of the unit and may depend on maintenance. Tell your agent what you haul so the quote includes the right endorsement and limit.
What is contingent cargo insurance?
Contingent cargo insurance is back-up cargo coverage mainly for freight brokers who hire carriers to haul shipments. In the AAIS form reported by Insurance Journal (2009), it covers the broker for its subcontractor's legal liability but pays only if the broker cannot collect the loss from the carrier or the carrier's insurer. It is separate from a trucker's own cargo policy, and the policy wording controls.
This page is general information, not a coverage recommendation. Requirements and policies vary; a licensed Assure US agent will review your vehicles, drivers and operations.
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