Do you need cargo insurance?
Not under federal law, unless you haul household goods. FMCSA's insurance filing chart lists $0 of cargo insurance for for-hire carriers of general freight at every vehicle weight; the only cargo figure it prints for a motor carrier is $5,000 for household goods carriers, which 49 CFR 387.303T(c) pairs with $10,000 for losses at any one time and place. You will need it anyway to haul brokered freight: TQL, C.H. Robinson, Amazon Relay and Arrive Logistics each list $100,000 of cargo in their carrier requirements. Do not count on the auto policy instead: ISO's business auto and motor carrier coverage forms both exclude property you transport, so read the form your own policy uses.
Updated . Written by Andre Beukers, principal at Redoubt, a commercial insurance agency in Salt Lake City, not a government office.
What are the minimum cargo insurance requirements from FMCSA?
For general freight there are none. FMCSA's filing chart has a column headed "Cargo Insurance Requirement," and for "For-Hire Property Carriers (Non-Hazardous)" it reads $0 under 10,001 pounds GVWR and at 10,001 pounds and up. The chart lists BMC-91, BMC-91X or BMC-82 as the forms for those rows. Household goods carriers are the exception: their row shows $5,000 of cargo and adds a BMC-34 or BMC-83.
The rule behind that figure is 49 CFR 387.303T(c), which sets household goods cargo liability at $5,000 for loss on any one motor vehicle and $10,000 for losses "occurring at any one time and place." eCFR marks the original 387.303 as "again suspended indefinitely" and prints the same figures in 387.303T without that note; FMCSA's chart still applies them. In Utah, R909-1-4, UDOT's insurance rule for private intrastate and interstate carriers, names no cargo figure; it sets liability and hazmat amounts.
Progressive Commercial's FMCSA page says otherwise: "the FMCSA mandates that companies cover their vehicles, drivers, and goods with commercial auto insurance that has public liability and cargo coverage," and "FMCSA minimums for cargo insurance are $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per occurrence." For general freight that is wrong: those are the household goods figures, and every other motor carrier row of the chart shows $0 cargo. Progressive's own cargo page gets it right: "Yes, but only for trucks that haul household goods." C.H. Robinson's FAQ says "Federal law requires motor carriers to have a minimum of $25,000 cargo insurance"; the chart prints no $25,000 figure for any carrier. J.B. Hunt's 2017 carrier blog post agrees with the chart: "There is no USDOT requirement for maintaining cargo insurance for freight motor carriers, only carriers who transport household goods."
Nor does the federal liability side reach the freight: the MCS-90 endorsement attached to a carrier's liability policy says its coverage does not apply to "property transported by the insured, designated as cargo."
| Operation in FMCSA's chart | Cargo requirement | Forms the chart lists |
|---|---|---|
| For-hire property, non-hazardous, under 10,001 lb GVWR | $0 | BMC-91, BMC-91X or BMC-82 |
| For-hire property, non-hazardous, 10,001 lb GVWR and up | $0 | BMC-91, BMC-91X or BMC-82 |
| For-hire household goods, 10,001 lb GVWR and up | $5,000 | BMC-91, BMC-91X or BMC-82, and BMC-34 or BMC-83 |
| Broker of property or household goods | $0 | BMC-84 or BMC-85, for a $75,000 bond or trust fund |
What are cargo insurance requirements, and who sets them?
The broker, shipper or platform that hands you the freight. J.B. Hunt's 2017 post says "brokers may set their own requirements for minimum insurance coverage for contracted carriers." The four in the table below each list the same cargo figure, $100,000, next to $1,000,000 of auto liability; TQL calls its figures minimums and Amazon Relay says "at least." TQL adds reefer breakdown on the certificate if you pull a reefer, and Arrive asks for $1 million of general liability as well.
C.H. Robinson runs two tiers. Its carrier support page, after a $25,000 cargo figure it wrongly attributes to federal law and $750,000 of auto liability, says "We will process contracts with carriers that hold this amount for insurance. However, we recommend the limits listed above to avoid limiting the freight available to you." Its FAQ calls $100,000 cargo and $1,000,000 auto liability "our standard" because they "allow access to a broader range of loads." Progressive's cargo page says "Many clients and shippers require cargo coverage to protect their goods." None of these figures is law; each is that holder's term, set in the packet or contract in front of you.
| Holder | Cargo listed | Auto liability listed |
|---|---|---|
| TQL | $100,000 | $1 million |
| C.H. Robinson | $100,000 standard; will process contracts at $25,000 | $1,000,000 standard; will process contracts at $750,000 |
| Amazon Relay | At least $100,000 | $1,000,000 per occurrence |
| Arrive Logistics | $100k | $1M |
Do you need cargo insurance for a box truck?
Federally, no, unless it moves household goods. Weight changes the liability minimum, not the cargo answer: FMCSA's chart reads $0 for cargo on both sides of 10,001 pounds GVWR. FMCSA's requirements are for entities that "apply and obtain operating authority registration"; the chart's household goods row, with its $5,000 of cargo, is for trucks of 10,001 pounds GVWR and up, and the chart prints no household goods row below that weight.
For brokered freight, the broker's figure is what counts, and none of the four requirement lists cited above prints a separate figure by vehicle type. The requirement still varies by who you haul for: a new cargo-van and box-truck owner told us in June 2026 that of the dispatchers he had spoken with, "only one of them said cargo insurance." Ask each broker or shipper before you pick a limit.
If the box truck carries only your own goods, no broker is asking; the question is whether to insure those goods on the road, on a cargo policy or an inland marine form. The Hartford says its inland marine can help protect "movable property, property in transit, temporarily stored property."
Is $100,000 of cargo insurance enough?
Enough to pass the brokers that list $100,000, and enough for a claim only when the load is worth less. Progressive's cargo page says "The limit can be set by the sender or receiver and shows how much the insurance will cover." A $100,000 limit on a $140,000 load leaves at least $40,000 of the load's value uninsured, before the deductible and any exclusion. Choose the limit on your most valuable load, not your average one.
The limit is not the only thing a claim tests. Progressive lists among the cargo types excluded from its coverage "Art, jewelry, money, or paper," "Property in custody of another carrier" and "Cargo stored for more than 72 hours," and it lists spoilage cover as its own coverage type, refrigeration breakdown, which "Covers losses from spoilage or changes in temperature." Those are Progressive's terms. Read the exclusions page of the policy you are buying against the freight you haul.
When do you need $1 million in cargo insurance?
When a shipper or broker writes it into the contract, or when your loads are worth that much. No $1,000,000 cargo figure appears on the TQL, C.H. Robinson, Amazon Relay, Arrive or J.B. Hunt pages checked for this page on 2026-10-03; there is no published figure to point to. J.B. Hunt's 2017 post says only that "Specialized or high-value brokered loads may require additional cargo insurance."
If a shipper asks for $1,000,000, get the request in writing: the limit, per load or per occurrence, the commodities, and any reefer or theft conditions. Send it to your agent before you sign; the policy has to be written to it.
Does cargo insurance cover your tools or a customer's property?
Not under Progressive's cargo coverage: its page says cargo insurance "only protects the freight you haul" and does not cover the truck. The rest of what rides in a work vehicle sorts by who owns it and why it is there.
The ISO auto forms do not fill the gap. The business auto form and the motor carrier form both exclude property damage to "property owned or transported by the 'insured' or in the 'insured's' care, custody or control," and the business auto form's physical damage coverage pays for loss to a covered auto "or its equipment." Tools, stock and customers' goods sit on other forms. The Hartford sells contractors' equipment coverage that "Helps protect damaged or stolen equipment, including small tools," a carrier logistics form for "a trucker's legal liability for the property of others in their care," and bailee processor coverage; it says its inland marine can help protect property owned by others "while it is in the insured’s care." It also says that inland marine is designed for midsize and large organizations; ask your agent who writes these forms for a business your size.
| What is in the vehicle | Why it is there | Coverage to ask about |
|---|---|---|
| Freight owned by a shipper | You are paid to haul it | Motor truck cargo |
| Your own tools and equipment | You use them to do the work | Contractors' equipment or tools coverage |
| Your own stock or materials | You deliver or install them | Inland marine for property in transit |
| A customer's property | It is in your care while you work on it | Inland marine for property of others in your care, such as The Hartford's bailee processor coverage |
What to send for a cargo quote
Cargo is written on what you haul and for whom, so the quote waits on these.
- 1.The broker's or shipper's insurance requirement in writing: the cargo limit, per load or per occurrence, and any reefer or form wording
- 2.The commodities you haul, and any you will not
- 3.The highest value of a single load, not the average
- 4.Your USDOT and MC numbers, and how long the authority has been active
- 5.Your operating radius and the states you run
- 6.Where loaded trucks park overnight, and for how long
- 7.Cargo claims in the last five years, or loss runs from your current insurer
- 8.Any tools, stock or customer property that also rides in the vehicle
Do I need cargo insurance to activate my MC number?
Not for general freight. FMCSA will not grant authority until the required financial responsibility is on file, and for a general freight carrier the chart lists a BMC-91, BMC-91X or BMC-82 with $0 in the cargo column. The brokers cited above list cargo in their carrier requirements, so have it in place before you set up with them.
Does cargo insurance cover a load while the truck is parked?
It depends on the policy. Progressive says its cargo coverage applies to goods in transit, including when the truck is parked during transport, and it excludes cargo stored for more than 72 hours. If a loaded trailer will sit for days, ask before it does.
Where these answers come from
Each entry carries the exact words of the source so you can check it yourself. Forms, rules and carrier pages change; read the current version before acting.
- 1. FMCSA, Insurance Filing Requirements, chart, column headings for Motor Carrier of Property (49 CFR 387.303)
“Entity Type Vehicle Type BIPD Insurance Requirement Cargo Insurance Requirement Surety Bond/Trust Fund Agreement Applicable Form(s)”
fmcsa.dot.gov, accessed October 3, 2026. Table header cells. fmcsa.dot.gov returns 403 to curl; pulled with Node fetch on 2026-10-03. The page prints "Last updated: Thursday, March 26, 2026". - 2. FMCSA, Insurance Filing Requirements, chart row for for-hire property carriers under 10,001 pounds
“For-Hire Property Carriers (Non-Hazardous) GVWR < 10,001 pounds $300,000 $0 $0 BMC-91, or BMC-91X, or BMC-82”
fmcsa.dot.gov, accessed October 3, 2026. Cells of a table; this page cites the row for its $0 cargo cell. The $300,000 is the 387.303(b)(1)(i) figure, which eCFR marks suspended indefinitely and prints again in 387.303T(b)(1)(i). fmcsa.dot.gov returns 403 to curl; pulled with Node fetch on 2026-10-03. The page prints "Last updated: Thursday, March 26, 2026". - 3. FMCSA, Insurance Filing Requirements, chart row for for-hire property carriers at 10,001 pounds and up
“For-Hire Property Carriers (Non-Hazardous) GVWR ≥ 10,001 pounds $750,000 $0 $0 BMC-91, or BMC-91X, or BMC-82”
fmcsa.dot.gov, accessed October 3, 2026. Cells of a table: entity type, vehicle type, BIPD, cargo, surety bond, forms. The hazardous materials and passenger rows of the same chart also read $0 for cargo. fmcsa.dot.gov returns 403 to curl; pulled with Node fetch on 2026-10-03. The page prints "Last updated: Thursday, March 26, 2026". - 4. FMCSA, Insurance Filing Requirements, chart row for for-hire household goods carriers
“For-Hire Carriers of Household Goods GVWR ≥ 10,001 pounds $750,000 $5,000 $0 BMC-91, or BMC-91X, or BMC-82 and BMC-34 or BMC-83”
fmcsa.dot.gov, accessed October 3, 2026. Cells of a table; the only motor carrier row with a cargo figure. fmcsa.dot.gov returns 403 to curl; pulled with Node fetch on 2026-10-03. The page prints "Last updated: Thursday, March 26, 2026". - 5. FMCSA, Insurance Filing Requirements, chart row for brokers (49 CFR 387.307)
“Broker of Property and/or Household Goods N/A $0 $0 $75,000 BMC-84 or BMC-85”
fmcsa.dot.gov, accessed October 3, 2026. Cells of a table: entity type, vehicle type, BIPD, cargo, surety bond or trust fund, forms. fmcsa.dot.gov returns 403 to curl; pulled with Node fetch on 2026-10-03. The page prints "Last updated: Thursday, March 26, 2026". - 6. FMCSA, Insurance Filing Requirements, overview
“The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets specific insurance requirements in accordance with 49 CFR Part 387 for entities who apply and obtain operating authority registration in accordance with 49 U.S.C. §§ 13906, 31138, and 31139.”
fmcsa.dot.gov, accessed October 3, 2026. fmcsa.dot.gov returns 403 to curl; pulled with Node fetch on 2026-10-03. The page prints "Last updated: Thursday, March 26, 2026". - 7. FMCSA, Insurance Filing Requirements, overview, authority not granted without proof on file
“FMCSA will not grant operating authority registration until the registrant has in effect the minimum levels of financial responsibility on file with FMCSA.”
fmcsa.dot.gov, accessed October 3, 2026. fmcsa.dot.gov returns 403 to curl; pulled with Node fetch on 2026-10-03. The page prints "Last updated: Thursday, March 26, 2026". - 8. 49 CFR 387.303T(c), household goods motor carriers, cargo liability, eCFR
“For loss of or damage to household goods carried on any one motor vehicle—$5,000; and (2) For loss of or damage to or aggregate of losses or damages of or to household goods occurring at any one time and place—$10,000.”
ecfr.gov, accessed October 3, 2026. Pulled through the eCFR versioner API at the 2026-10-01 point in time. 387.303T carries no suspension note; the original 387.303(c) prints the same two figures. - 9. 49 CFR 387.303, effective date note, eCFR
“At 84 FR 51433, Sept. 30, 2019, the suspension was lifted and amendments were made to § 387.303. In that same document, § 387.303 was again suspended indefinitely.”
ecfr.gov, accessed October 3, 2026. FMCSA's chart still heads the property rows "Motor Carrier of Property (49 CFR 387.303)" and applies the figures. - 10. Utah Admin. Code R909-1-4, UDOT, insurance for private intrastate or interstate motor carriers
“Each intrastate private motor carrier must have a minimum amount of $750,000 liability.”
adminrules.utah.gov, accessed October 3, 2026. Rule text, date of last change June 23, 2026. The rule's only other paragraph with a figure sets $1,000,000 and an MCS-90 for oil and hazardous materials carriers; no paragraph names cargo. - 11. Progressive Commercial, FMCSA Insurance Requirements, the sentence this page disputes
“In general, the FMCSA mandates that companies cover their vehicles, drivers, and goods with commercial auto insurance that has public liability and cargo coverage.”
progressivecommercial.com, accessed October 3, 2026. Quoted as what Progressive says. FMCSA's chart shows $0 cargo for every motor carrier row except household goods. - 12. Progressive Commercial, FMCSA Insurance Requirements, FMCSA cargo insurance requirements
“FMCSA minimums for cargo insurance are $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per occurrence, but these baselines may not be enough to adequately protect your goods.”
progressivecommercial.com, accessed October 3, 2026. Quoted as what Progressive says. The amounts are the household goods figures of 49 CFR 387.303T(c); the sentence does not say they apply only to household goods. - 13. Progressive Commercial, Motor Truck Cargo Insurance, "Is motor truck cargo insurance legally required?"
“Is motor truck cargo insurance legally required? Yes, but only for trucks that haul household goods.”
progressivecommercial.com, accessed October 3, 2026. A carrier's description of its own product. - 14. Progressive Commercial, Motor Truck Cargo Insurance, why it is important
“Many clients and shippers require cargo coverage to protect their goods, making it an essential part of securing business contracts.”
progressivecommercial.com, accessed October 3, 2026. Quoted as what Progressive says. - 15. Progressive Commercial, Motor Truck Cargo Insurance, limits and deductibles
“When you choose Progressive Commercial's motor truck cargo insurance, you'll need to select a limit and pick a deductible. The limit can be set by the sender or receiver and shows how much the insurance will cover.”
progressivecommercial.com, accessed October 3, 2026. A carrier's description of its own product. - 16. Progressive Commercial, Motor Truck Cargo Insurance, common motor cargo exclusions
“The following cargo types are excluded from coverage: Art, jewelry, money, or paper Contraband Property in custody of another carrier Cargo stored for more than 72 hours Explosive or radioactive material”
progressivecommercial.com, accessed October 3, 2026. List items as the page prints them. Progressive's own product; other insurers' cargo forms carry their own exclusions. - 17. Progressive Commercial, Motor Truck Cargo Insurance, coverage types
“Motor truck cargo insurance with refrigeration breakdown: Covers losses from spoilage or changes in temperature.”
progressivecommercial.com, accessed October 3, 2026. A carrier's description of its own product. - 18. Progressive Commercial, Motor Truck Cargo Insurance, "Does motor truck cargo insurance cover the truck?"
“No, cargo insurance does not cover your truck. It only protects the freight you haul. You'll need physical damage coverage to protect your vehicle in case of collisions, theft, and vandalism.”
progressivecommercial.com, accessed October 3, 2026. The same FAQ block answers the parked-load question: "Cargo insurance covers goods in transit, including times when the truck is parked during transport." - 19. C.H. Robinson, Frequently Asked Carrier Questions, the sentence this page disputes
“Federal law requires motor carriers to have a minimum of $25,000 cargo insurance and $750,000 automobile liability insurance.”
chrobinson.com, accessed October 3, 2026. Quoted as what C.H. Robinson says. FMCSA's chart prints $0 cargo for for-hire general freight carriers and no $25,000 figure anywhere; the $750,000 applies to for-hire interstate carriers of nonhazardous property at 10,001 lb GVWR and up. - 20. C.H. Robinson, Frequently Asked Carrier Questions, why $100,000 cargo and $1,000,000 auto liability
“The higher limits, $100,000 cargo and $1,000,000 auto liability, are our standard because they help ensure adequate protection for both carriers and customers and allow access to a broader range of loads.”
chrobinson.com, accessed October 3, 2026 - 21. C.H. Robinson, Carrier support, Cargo and liability insurance limits
“Federal law requires motor carriers have a minimum of $25,000 cargo insurance and $750,000 automobile liability insurance. We will process contracts with carriers that hold this amount for insurance. However, we recommend the limits listed above to avoid limiting the freight available to you.”
chrobinson.com, accessed October 3, 2026. Quoted as what C.H. Robinson says. The second sentence is its contracting floor; the first sentence's cargo claim is contradicted by FMCSA's chart ($0 cargo for for-hire general freight). The static page text does not print the "limits listed above"; the FAQ names $100,000 cargo and $1,000,000 auto liability as its standard. - 22. C.H. Robinson, Become a carrier, documents needed to haul
“Proof of insurance $100,000 (USD) cargo liability $1,000,000 (USD) automobile liability”
chrobinson.com, accessed October 3, 2026 - 23. TQL, Carrier FAQs, what do I need to start hauling for TQL?
“To haul for TQL we require: Valid MC or US DOT number Minimum $1 million auto liability insurance Minimum $100,000 cargo insurance policy Reefer Breakdown on insurance certificate (if applicable)”
tql.com, accessed October 3, 2026. List items as the page prints them; the list ends with a completed online Carrier Contract. - 24. Amazon Relay, Get started, minimum insurance coverage
“Auto Liability not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence, including a trailer replacement coverage of $50,000 Cargo coverage of at least $100,000”
relay.amazon.com, accessed October 3, 2026. List items as the page prints them; the same list adds general liability, workers' compensation and employer liability. - 25. Arrive Logistics, Carriers, carrier requirements
“Cert of Insurance: $100k cargo, $1M Auto, & $1M commercial general liability coverage”
arrivelogistics.com, accessed October 3, 2026 - 26. J.B. Hunt blog post, February 14, 2017, CMV insurance, third-party carrier requirements
“However, brokers may set their own requirements for minimum insurance coverage for contracted carriers. Specialized or high-value brokered loads may require additional cargo insurance.”
jbhunt.com, accessed October 3, 2026. Dated February 14, 2017 in its URL; the page prints no date. Live on jbhunt.com when pulled. Quoted as what J.B. Hunt says. - 27. J.B. Hunt blog post, February 14, 2017, CMV insurance, cargo liability
“There is no USDOT requirement for maintaining cargo insurance for freight motor carriers, only carriers who transport household goods.”
jbhunt.com, accessed October 3, 2026 - 28. FMCSA Form MCS-90 (Rev 6/3/2021), exclusions
“Such insurance as is afforded, for public liability, does not apply to injury to or death of the insured’s employees while engaged in the course of their employment, or property transported by the insured, designated as cargo.”
fmcsa.dot.gov, accessed October 3, 2026. FMCSA's current fillable PDF, pulled with Node fetch (fmcsa.dot.gov returns 403 to curl); sha256 5a059bf1... matches the forms library copy. Current eCFR 387.15 does not print the form text and points to FMCSA's website for it. - 29. ISO CA 00 01 11 20, Business Auto Coverage Form, Section II exclusion 6, Care, Custody Or Control
“"Property damage" to or "covered pollution cost or expense" involving property owned or transported by the "insured" or in the "insured's" care, custody or control.”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 3, 2026. Bare ISO form; the policy the carrier issues controls. - 30. ISO CA 00 20 12 23, Motor Carrier Coverage Form, Section II exclusion 6, Care, Custody Or Control
“"Property damage" to or "covered pollution cost or expense" involving property owned or transported by the "insured" or in the "insured's" care, custody or control.”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 3, 2026. Bare ISO form; the policy the carrier issues controls. sha256 652dcae9... matches the forms library copy. - 31. ISO CA 00 01 11 20, Business Auto Coverage Form, Section III, physical damage coverage
“We will pay for "loss" to a covered "auto" or its equipment under:”
assets.touchpointmarkets.com, accessed October 3, 2026 - 32. The Hartford, Inland Marine Insurance, what does inland marine insurance typically cover?
“It can help protect movable property, property in transit, temporarily stored property and property owned by others while it is in the insured’s care or on the premises.”
thehartford.com, accessed October 3, 2026. A carrier's description of its own product. - 33. The Hartford, Inland Marine Insurance, what does inland marine insurance help cover?
“Equipment, tools and materials that move from place to place Property in transit that is shipped or transported over land”
thehartford.com, accessed October 3, 2026. Two list items as the page prints them; the list goes on to temporary structures and project-related property. - 34. The Hartford, Inland Marine Insurance, Contractors' Equipment
“Helps protect damaged or stolen equipment, including small tools and certain leased or borrowed items.”
thehartford.com, accessed October 3, 2026 - 35. The Hartford, Inland Marine Insurance, Carrier Logistics
“Helps cover a trucker’s legal liability for the property of others in their care, tailored to operations.”
thehartford.com, accessed October 3, 2026 - 36. The Hartford, Inland Marine Insurance, miscellaneous inland marine
“The Hartford also offers coverage for specialized property that’s mobile, off-premises or owned by others and doesn’t fit standard categories. Examples include Fine Arts and Bailee Processor coverages.”
thehartford.com, accessed October 3, 2026 - 37. The Hartford, Inland Marine Insurance, who it is designed for
“This solution is designed for midsize and large organizations.”
thehartford.com, accessed October 3, 2026 - 38. Redoubt call record, new cargo-van and box-truck owner, June 2026
“I haven't talked to about a couple of, like, dispatchers and only one of them said cargo insurance.”
Redoubt agency records, accessed June 8, 2026. What a caller told Redoubt; the record's "P: " speaker prefix is dropped. Used only for Redoubt's experience.
A freight broker will not set the carrier up until the packet shows the limits it wants
TQL, C.H. Robinson, J.B. Hunt and other brokers: the carrier packet, the $100,000 cargo ask, and who takes new authority.
Elsewhere on the site
Broker asking for cargo you do not carry yet?
Text Redoubt the broker's or shipper's insurance requirement, what you haul, and the most a single load is worth. We will tell you what cargo limit and wording the requirement calls for, and what the underwriter will ask before it can be written.
This is general insurance information, not legal advice or a coverage determination. The policy forms, the endorsements the carrier issues, and the requirement in writing from whoever is asking control.