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Cargo Insurance Coverage Checker for Owner Operators

See if your cargo limit covers the load and your broker's contract. Find gaps to ask your agent about before you roll.

Coverage Details

We use this to point out freight that many policies exclude or limit.

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What the load on this trip is worth.

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The per-vehicle limit on your policy's declarations page.

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What you pay first on each claim.

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The cargo limit in your contract. Many brokers ask for $100,000, but it is their term, not a federal rule. Enter 0 if none.

Freight your policy excludes or limits

What does your policy exclude?

Read your policy's exclusions and limits, then tick the freight it excludes or caps. Ask your agent if you are not sure.

Enter coverage details and click Check Coverage

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What is the minimum cargo insurance required for trucking?

There is no federal minimum cargo insurance requirement for general freight. FMCSA requires $750,000 in public liability (bodily injury and property damage, BIPD) insurance for most for-hire carriers. That is separate from cargo coverage. A $100,000 cargo minimum is common because brokers and shippers require it in their contracts. Federal law does not set that figure. Household goods carriers are the exception. Federal rules set a $5,000 per vehicle / $10,000 per occurrence cargo minimum for them.

Federal insurance requirements for motor carriers (49 CFR 387)
Freight typeFederal requirementNotes
General freight (non-hazmat)$750,000 BIPDNo federal cargo insurance minimum; brokers commonly require $100,000 cargo by contract
Hazardous materials / larger vehicles$1,000,000 to $5,000,000 BIPDDepends on the commodity and vehicle weight
Household goods$5,000 per vehicle / $10,000 per occurrence cargoThe one case where federal rule sets a cargo minimum

A broker or shipper contract can require more than the federal minimum, and often does. Check what your contract requires in addition to what the law requires.

Last reviewed October 2026. Sources: eCFR: 49 CFR Part 387, minimum levels of financial responsibility; eCFR: 49 CFR 387.303T, minimum limits including household goods cargo; FMCSA: insurance filing requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions - Cargo Insurance Coverage Checker

How much cargo insurance do I actually need?
There's no federal cargo insurance minimum for general freight. FMCSA requires $750,000 in public liability insurance instead, which is a separate coverage, not cargo. In practice, most brokers require $100,000 in cargo coverage by contract. High-value freight can need much more. Your real minimum is whatever your contract and your freight actually require.
What does cargo insurance actually cover?
It covers loss or damage to the freight while it's in your possession during transport. It does not cover damage to your own truck or trailer, injuries, or freight that isn't in your custody. Each of those needs its own separate coverage.
How much does cargo insurance typically cost?
Cost varies by your driving record, experience, freight type and claims history. Treat any published price range as a rough starting point, not a quote. Get an actual quote from your insurer based on your specific operation and the coverage limit your contracts require.
What should I do if cargo is damaged while in my possession?
Document the damage right away with photos. Tell the broker or shipper within the time your contract requires, often 24 hours. File a claim with your insurer, with repair or replacement estimates. Don't accept blame or sign anything admitting fault before your insurer has reviewed the claim.
Why do cargo insurance claims get denied?
Common reasons are freight the policy excludes or caps, such as electronics, alcohol, tobacco or pharmaceuticals. Others are theft from a trailer left unattended or unlocked, temperature damage from a reefer breakdown without a reefer endorsement, and a load worth more than the limit. Read your policy's exclusions and conditions. Get a written answer from your agent before you haul anything unusual.
Does reefer breakdown count as cargo insurance?
Often not. Temperature damage is commonly excluded from a base cargo policy. Coverage for spoilage when a refrigeration unit breaks down usually comes as an added endorsement. Some insurers also ask for temperature logs or reefer unit records after a loss. Ask your agent whether your policy has the endorsement and what proof it needs.
What is a coinsurance clause in cargo insurance?
Some cargo policies reduce a payout when the policy limit is lower than the value of the load. The loss is then paid in proportion to how far the limit falls short, instead of in full up to the limit. Ask your agent whether your policy has one. Make sure your limit is at least the value of your most valuable load.
Do I have to file cargo insurance with FMCSA?
Not for general freight. FMCSA requires proof of liability insurance, but there is no federal cargo minimum or cargo filing for general freight. Household goods carriers are the exception. They must file cargo insurance with FMCSA on Form BMC-34 or BMC-83. The limits are $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 at any one time and place.

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Go Further With Cargo Insurance Coverage Checker

Guides, services and reference pages that go with this tool.

Terms explained in the Cargo Insurance Coverage Checker