Motor Truck Cargo Insurance — Washington State

Motor Truck Cargo Insurance in Washington

Your primary liability covers damage you cause to others. But what about the freight you're hauling? Motor truck cargo insurance covers your load if it's damaged, lost, or stolen — and most shippers and brokers require it before they'll assign you a load.

Get My Cargo Quote →1-888-874-0208

All commodity types · Reefer breakdown available · Hablamos Español · Serving all of Washington

$100K+

Coverage Available

Same Day

COIs Issued

Reefer

Breakdown Available

All WA

Statewide Coverage

What Cargo Insurance Covers

What Motor Truck Cargo Insurance Protects

A standard motor truck cargo policy covers the freight you're transporting while it's in your care, custody, and control — from pickup to delivery.

What's Covered

Collision Damage

Freight damaged when your truck is involved in an accident. The most common cargo claim type — collision damage is covered under a standard cargo policy.

Overturn / Rollover

Freight damaged when your truck overturns. Covered under standard cargo policies.

Fire and Explosion

Freight destroyed by fire or explosion. Covered under standard policies.

Theft

Freight stolen from your trailer or truck. Theft claims are common — especially for high-value loads. Standard policies cover theft, though some have waiting periods or exclusions for unattended vehicles.

Weather Damage

Freight damaged by weather events — flooding, hail, wind. Coverage varies by policy; confirm with your agent what weather perils are included.

Loading and Unloading Damage

Damage that occurs during loading or unloading. Coverage varies significantly by policy — some include it, some exclude it. Confirm before you sign.

Common Exclusions

Refrigeration Breakdown

Spoilage from reefer unit failure is typically excluded from standard cargo policies. Reefer operators need a separate reefer breakdown endorsement.

Contraband

Illegal goods are excluded from all cargo policies.

Live Animals

Livestock and live animals typically require a specialty policy.

Certain High-Value Commodities

Electronics, jewelry, pharmaceuticals, and other high-value goods may require higher limits or specialty coverage.

Delay Losses

Financial losses from late delivery are typically excluded. Cargo insurance covers physical loss or damage, not consequential losses from delays.

Coverage Limits

How Much Cargo Coverage Do You Need?

The right limit depends on what you haul. Here's a guide by commodity type.

Commodity Type	Minimum	Recommended	Notes
General Dry Freight	$100,000	$250,000	Most brokers require $100K minimum. $250K gives you more broker options and better protection on higher-value loads.
Refrigerated / Perishable	$100,000	$250,000+	Perishable cargo can be high-value. Consider reefer breakdown endorsement for spoilage from unit failure.
Agricultural (Yakima Valley)	$100,000	$250,000	Produce, grain, and specialty crops. Seasonal operations and perishable nature require careful coverage planning.
Electronics / High-Value	$250,000	$500,000+	High-value loads require higher limits. Some carriers require specialty coverage for electronics.
Hazardous Materials	$1,000,000	$1,000,000+	Hazmat cargo requires significantly higher limits and specialized coverage. FMCSA requirements are more stringent.
Flatbed / Heavy Equipment	$100,000	$250,000	Equipment values vary widely. Make sure your limit reflects the actual value of the loads you haul.

Reefer Operators

Refrigerated Cargo and Reefer Breakdown Coverage

If you haul refrigerated or frozen cargo, standard cargo insurance has a critical gap: it doesn't cover spoilage from mechanical breakdown of your refrigeration unit. Here's what reefer operators need to know.

The Reefer Breakdown Gap

Standard cargo policies cover physical damage to freight — collision, theft, fire. They do not cover spoilage from reefer unit failure. If your unit breaks down and your load spoils, you're not covered without a reefer breakdown endorsement.

Reefer Breakdown Endorsement

A reefer breakdown endorsement adds coverage for spoilage caused by mechanical failure of your refrigeration unit. It typically requires documentation of regular maintenance and may have a waiting period before coverage kicks in.

Maintenance Requirements

Carriers require documented maintenance records for reefer units. Neglected maintenance can void your coverage. Keep detailed service records for your refrigeration unit.

Temperature Monitoring

Many carriers require temperature monitoring devices (data loggers) for reefer loads. These devices document temperature throughout the trip and are critical evidence in spoilage claims.

Apple orchard harvest in Yakima Valley Washington

"I haul produce out of the Yakima Valley. UIS understood the reefer breakdown gap immediately and got me the right endorsement. No other agency I called even knew what I was asking about."

— Refrigerated Hauler, Yakima Valley

Yakima Valley Agricultural Haulers

Cargo Coverage for Eastern Washington Agricultural Freight

The Yakima Valley is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the country. If you're hauling produce, grain, hops, or other agricultural commodities out of the valley, your cargo coverage needs specific attention.

Perishable Produce

Apples, cherries, hops, wine grapes, and other Yakima Valley produce are high-value and highly perishable. Make sure your cargo limits reflect the actual value of the loads you haul, and consider reefer breakdown coverage if you run refrigerated.

Seasonal Operations

Agricultural hauling is often seasonal — harvest season creates peak demand. We can help you structure coverage that makes sense for seasonal operations.

Commodity-Specific Exclusions

Some cargo policies exclude specific agricultural commodities. We'll review your policy to make sure it actually covers what you haul.

Grain and Bulk Commodities

Grain, hay, and bulk agricultural commodities have specific coverage considerations. Contamination, moisture damage, and weight loss claims are common in bulk agricultural hauling.

Broker Requirements

What Freight Brokers Require

Most freight brokers require proof of cargo insurance before assigning loads. Here's what they typically ask for.

Certificate of Insurance

A certificate of insurance (COI) showing your cargo coverage, limits, and effective dates. We provide COIs quickly — often same day.

Minimum Limits

Most brokers require $100,000 minimum. Many require $250,000. Some large shippers require $500,000 or more for high-value loads.

Carrier Rating

Some brokers require your insurance carrier to have a minimum A.M. Best rating (typically A- or better). We work with carriers that meet these requirements.

Additional Insured

Some brokers require themselves or the shipper to be listed as additional insured on your cargo policy. We'll structure your policy to meet these requirements.

Common Questions

Motor Truck Cargo Insurance FAQ

Is cargo insurance required by FMCSA?

FMCSA requires cargo insurance for household goods carriers but not for most other freight types. However, most freight brokers and shippers require it regardless of FMCSA requirements. Without cargo insurance, you'll have very limited access to loads from legitimate brokers.

What happens if I'm in an accident and the freight is damaged?

Your cargo insurance covers the value of the damaged freight up to your policy limit. You file a claim with your cargo insurer, who pays the shipper or broker for the loss. Without cargo insurance, you'd be personally liable for the full value of the damaged freight.

Does cargo insurance cover theft from an unattended trailer?

It depends on your policy. Some policies exclude theft from unattended vehicles or require specific security measures (locked trailer, secured lot). Read your policy carefully and ask us about any theft exclusions before you sign.

I haul refrigerated produce — do I need a reefer breakdown endorsement?

Yes, strongly recommended. Standard cargo policies don't cover spoilage from reefer unit failure. If your unit breaks down and your load spoils, you're not covered without the endorsement. For Yakima Valley produce haulers, this is critical coverage.

Can I get cargo insurance for a single load?

Some carriers offer single-load or trip-specific cargo coverage, but it's typically more expensive per load than an annual policy. If you're hauling freight regularly, an annual policy is almost always more cost-effective.