Cargo insurance, shopped across 20+ carriers
Motor truck cargo insurance protects the freight being transported in a commercial vehicle against loss or damage from covered causes such as collision, fire, theft, or accidental spillage during transit.
- 20+ carriers compared
- Licensed in 5 states
- Local Las Vegas agents
- No-obligation quote
Affordable cargo insurance in NV, AZ, UT, TX & OH
For-hire motor carriers hauling goods for others — including owner-operators leased to a carrier and small fleets in NV, TX, OH, UT, and AZ. FMCSA mandates cargo coverage only for household-goods movers, but shippers, brokers, and load boards almost universally require it as a condition of freight access.
As a local broker with access to 20+ carriers, Liberty Choice does the shopping for you and brings back a competitive rate you qualify for — across all five states we’re licensed in.
At a glance
Cargo insurance at a glance
- Not federally required for most truckers, but nearly universal in practice. FMCSA mandates motor truck cargo insurance only for household-goods movers; however, shippers, brokers, and most load boards require cargo coverage as a condition before awarding freight.
- Typical limits requested are $100,000–$250,000 per load. Many freight brokers and shippers set minimum cargo limits of $100,000, with high-value loads (electronics, pharmaceuticals, fresh produce) often requiring $250,000 or more.
- Refrigerated-cargo (reefer) loads require a temperature-control endorsement. Standard cargo policies may exclude spoilage from refrigeration breakdown; perishable-food and pharmaceutical carriers need a reefer endorsement that covers temperature excursion losses.
- Nevada sits on key I-15 and I-80 corridors — cargo theft risk is elevated nationwide. U.S. cargo theft hit a record high in 2024, with 3,625 incidents representing a 27% increase from 2023 and an estimated $454.9 million in losses; ensuring your policy covers theft during transit and overnight stops is critical for Las Vegas-based carriers.
Source: U.S. cargo theft incidents rose 27% in 2024 to 3,625 events with $454.9 million in estimated losses. Source: Verisk CargoNet, 2024 Supply Chain Risk Report (January 2025), cargonet.com/cargo-theft-data/.
Coverage explained
What cargo insurance covers
The details
The parts of a cargo policy
| Coverage | What it covers | Typically |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Truck Cargo (Named Perils) | Pays for loss or damage to the freight being hauled caused by collision, overturn, fire, theft, or water damage while in transit. | Recommended |
| Debris Removal | Pays the cost of removing spilled or scattered cargo from a roadway or accident scene after a covered loss. | Recommended |
| Earned Freight Coverage | Reimburses the carrier for freight charges lost because a shipment could not be delivered due to a covered cargo loss. | Recommended |
| Reefer Breakdown | Pays for refrigerated cargo spoilage caused by a mechanical breakdown of the temperature-control unit, not just a collision. | Add-on |
| Loading and Unloading Liability | Extends cargo protection to cover damage that occurs while freight is being loaded onto or unloaded from the trailer. | Recommended |
| Theft Coverage | Pays for cargo stolen from an unattended vehicle, subject to security-requirement conditions such as locked trailer or GPS tracking. | Recommended |
| Pollution Cleanup | Pays cleanup costs when a cargo spill of hazardous material triggers an environmental liability event. | Add-on |
| Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist | Covers cargo damage caused by an at-fault uninsured driver when the carrier seeks subrogation. | Varies by state |
Requirements vary by state — your Liberty Choice agent confirms exactly what NV, AZ, UT, TX or OH requires.
How does cargo insurance work?
Motor truck cargo insurance pays for physical loss or damage to freight while it is in the care, custody, and control of the carrier or owner-operator hauling it. If a reefer trailer loses power and a full load of produce spoils, or a flatbed load of machinery is stolen from a truck stop overnight, the cargo policy responds and pays the shipper or the carrier up to the declared cargo limit. Coverage typically follows named perils (fire, theft, collision, overturn, and water damage) and can be extended for refrigeration breakdown or high-value commodities. Many freight brokers and shippers contractually require motor truck cargo coverage before tendering a load, making it a practical necessity even when not legally mandated.
Beyond the basics
Optional & additional coverage
Ask your agent about these add-ons for extra peace of mind:
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Ways to save on cargo insurance
- Maintain a clean loss history. Carriers with three or more years without cargo claims qualify for preferred program pricing, which can meaningfully reduce annual premiums.
- Use GPS tracking and electronic logging devices (ELDs). Documented real-time cargo tracking demonstrates lower theft and loss risk to underwriters and can earn a premium credit.
- Raise your deductible. A higher per-load deductible reduces the base premium; most owner-operators choose $1,000–$2,500 to balance out-of-pocket risk against savings.
- Limit your commodity types. Carriers who restrict their policy to lower-risk commodity classes (dry van general freight vs. electronics or pharmaceuticals) pay lower premiums for the same limit.
- Bundle cargo with your primary auto liability and physical damage. Many commercial trucking markets offer package pricing when you buy cargo, auto liability, and physical damage together from the same carrier.
- Pay the annual premium in full. Full-year upfront payment typically earns a 3–8% discount versus monthly installments.
Source: Motor truck cargo insurance averages approximately $129/month ($1,553/yr) per Insureon. For a $100,000 coverage limit, annual premiums typically range $400–$600. Source: Insureon, Trucking Business Insurance Cost (2025), insureon.com/trucking-business-insurance/cost; InsuranceHub, Cost of Motor Truck Cargo Insurance (2025).
Questions
Cargo insurance FAQ
Is cargo insurance federally required for all truckers?
What limits do shippers and brokers typically require?
What common exclusions should truckers watch for?
How much does cargo insurance cost for a trucker?
What common exclusions should I watch for in a cargo policy?
Does cargo insurance cover freight I'm hauling for a broker?
What is a cargo release rate and how does it affect my claim?
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