Updated October 2026
Motor truck cargo insurance typically costs $600 to $2,000 a year for a $100,000 limit on dry van general freight, or about $50 to $165 a month. Reefer, flatbed and auto hauler cargo cost more, and high-theft or high-value freight can run $3,000 to $8,000 a year or more.
Cargo is one of the cheaper parts of a truck insurance policy, but it's the one brokers check first. Most won't tender a load without $100,000 in cargo coverage on file, even though federal rules don't require it for general freight.
Cargo Insurance Rates By Freight Type
| Freight Type | $100K Limit (Annual) | $250K Limit (Annual) | Main Cost Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry van general freight | $600–$2,000 | $1,700–$2,500 | Theft exposure on your lanes |
| Flatbed | $1,000–$1,700 | Varies | Load securement and weather damage |
| Reefer (with breakdown coverage) | $1,000–$2,500+ | $2,000–$2,800+ | Spoilage from unit failure |
| Auto hauler | $2,000–$3,000 | Often $500K required | Value per load |
| High-value or high-theft freight | $3,000–$8,000+ | Theft and claim size | |
Planning ranges from 2026 cargo rate guides published by LogRock and Trucking Insurance Services. The sources disagree most on reefer: one puts reefer cargo at $2,000 to $6,000+ a year at $100,000 to $250,000 limits. Auto haulers at a $500,000 limit typically pay $4,500 to $7,000 a year.
What Affects Cargo Insurance Rates
- What you haul. Commodity is the biggest factor. Electronics, alcohol, metals and some food loads are targeted by thieves.
- Your limit. Moving from $100,000 to $250,000 typically adds about $1,000 a year or more.
- Your deductible. Common choices are $1,000, $2,500 and $5,000. A higher deductible lowers the premium.
- Lanes and parking. Running through theft hot spots or parking in unsecured lots raises rates.
- Claims history. Prior cargo claims, especially theft, follow you to your next insurer.
- Equipment. For reefers, the age and maintenance of the unit matters.
Why Cargo Insurance Is Getting More Expensive
Cargo theft is rising fast. CargoNet recorded 2,646 cargo thefts in the United States and Canada in 2025, up 18% from the year before, with estimated losses of about $725 million, up 60%. California had the most incidents, and food and beverage loads were the most-stolen category. Insurers are pricing that into cargo rates, especially for carriers running theft-heavy lanes.
What Cargo Insurance Usually Doesn't Cover
Read the exclusions before you buy. Common ones include:
- Theft from an unattended truck that wasn't locked or secured as the policy requires.
- Reefer breakdown, unless you add it by endorsement.
- Damage during loading and unloading on some policies.
- Excluded commodities, such as jewelry, cash, art, live animals and household goods.
- Unexplained losses, sometimes called mysterious disappearance.
Cargo Insurance Requirements
FMCSA doesn't require cargo insurance for general freight carriers. Household goods movers are the exception: they must carry at least $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per occurrence and file proof with FMCSA. In practice, brokers and shippers set the real requirement. Most ask for $100,000. Car hauling contracts often require $250,000 or more, and high-value shippers may require much higher limits. See our car hauler insurance cost guide for auto hauling cargo limits.
Example: Dry Van Owner-Operator
An owner-operator running general freight in a dry van with a clean record should expect about $800 to $1,500 a year for $100,000 in cargo with a $1,000 deductible. Moving into reefer freight or raising the limit to $250,000 can roughly double that.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Is Cargo Insurance For A Truck?
A $100,000 motor truck cargo policy typically costs about $600 to $2,000 a year for dry van general freight. Reefer, flatbed and auto hauler cargo cost more, and high-theft freight can cost $3,000 to $8,000 or more.
Is Cargo Insurance Required By Law?
Not for general freight. FMCSA only requires cargo insurance for household goods carriers. Most brokers and shippers still require $100,000 in cargo coverage before they'll give you a load.
Does Cargo Insurance Cover Reefer Breakdown?
Not automatically. Reefer breakdown coverage is usually added by endorsement, and it's one of the main reasons reefer cargo costs more than dry van.