ServicesMotor Truck Cargo Insurance
Motor Truck Cargo Insurance in Roswell, GA
When a load is damaged or stolen, the shipper and broker look to you. We help owner-operators and fleets set up cargo coverage that fits the freight they actually haul. We read the exclusions with you, so a claim does not come back denied over fine print.
What cargo coverage protects
Motor truck cargo insurance pays for freight in your care when it is lost or damaged by covered events like a collision, an overturn, fire or theft. It protects the goods you haul, not your truck. Damage to the tractor or trailer falls under physical damage insurance, and injuries or damage you cause to others fall under primary auto liability insurance.
Most brokers and shippers will not tender a load until they see a certificate of insurance showing cargo coverage at the limit their contract calls for. That makes cargo coverage one of the first things you need once your MC authority is active, and one of the easiest to get wrong.
We are licensed for property and casualty insurance and have spent 5 years working with carriers around Roswell and the north metro. Our job is to match a policy to what goes in your trailer, then explain it the way we would explain it to a neighbor across the street.
What we set up with you
Limits that meet your contracts
We look at the broker and shipper agreements you already have, or the ones you are going after, and set your limit to meet them. That way you are not turned away at the dock over a number on a certificate.
Commodity review
Policies often exclude or limit certain freight, such as electronics, alcohol, tobacco or high-value goods. We go through your load list item by item so nothing you haul regularly is left out.
Reefer breakdown coverage
If you run refrigerated freight, spoilage from a unit failure is usually not covered by a basic cargo form. We will tell you plainly whether you need a reefer breakdown endorsement and what it requires of you, like maintenance records.
Theft and unattended vehicle terms
Many cargo policies limit theft from a truck left unattended or parked outside a secured lot. We point out those conditions so you know the rules before your next overnight stop.
Certificates of insurance
When a broker asks for a certificate naming them as holder, call us and we get it issued. Keeping these moving keeps your loads moving.
Signs your cargo coverage needs a look
A broker rejected your certificate
If a broker says your limit is too low or the wrong form is on file, you are losing loads. That is fixable, usually with a change to your limit or an added endorsement.
You started hauling something new
Moving from dry van general freight to produce, machinery or building materials can change what your policy covers. Check before you book the load, not after it is damaged.
You are not sure what is excluded
If you have never read the exclusions page, you are not alone. It is the part that decides most denied claims, and we are happy to read it through with you.
You had a claim go sideways
A denied or underpaid cargo claim often points to a gap in the policy itself. We can review what happened and set you up so the same gap does not repeat.
How getting covered works
- 1
A conversation about your freight
We talk by phone or video, or you can stop by our office. We ask what you haul, how often, typical load values and which brokers you work with.
- 2
Your documents
Have your DOT number, MC authority details, driver list and any loss runs handy. If you are a new carrier without loss history, that is fine; we will tell you what underwriters will look at instead.
- 3
Quotes explained side by side
We walk through each option's limit, deductible, commodity exclusions and theft conditions. You see the trade-offs in plain terms before you decide.
- 4
Policy, filings and certificates
Once you choose, we bind the policy and send certificates of insurance to the brokers who need them. If your needs change later, one phone call starts the update.
What moves your cargo premium
Cargo premiums depend mostly on what you haul and how much of it is on the truck at once. Your history as a carrier matters too. We will show you which of these factors you can influence and which you cannot.
- Commodity type
- Freight that is easy to steal, easy to damage or quick to spoil costs more to insure than steady general freight. Clear descriptions help underwriters price it accurately.
- Coverage limit and deductible
- Higher limits cost more, and a higher deductible can bring the premium down. We help you find the balance your contracts and cash flow can handle.
- Claims and experience
- Prior cargo claims and years under your own authority both weigh on the price. A clean record over time tends to help at renewal.
- Routes and parking
- Long hauls through high-theft areas and overnight parking habits can affect pricing and the conditions on your policy.
Cargo insurance questions we hear often
Something not covered here? (770) 285-5789
Is cargo insurance required by law?
For most general freight carriers, federal rules do not require a cargo filing. In practice, almost every broker and shipper requires it by contract. Without it, you will have trouble getting loads.
How much cargo coverage should I carry?
Start with what your brokers require and the highest value load you realistically haul. If a single load can exceed your limit, you carry the difference yourself. We will look at your actual freight and contracts to pick a number that makes sense.
Does cargo insurance cover my truck if I crash?
No. Cargo coverage pays for the freight. Damage to your truck and trailer is handled by physical damage insurance, and many carriers bundle both under their commercial trucking insurance.
What happens if my reefer unit fails and the load spoils?
A standard cargo policy often does not cover that. You would need a reefer breakdown endorsement, which may carry its own deductible and maintenance requirements. We will tell you whether your policy has it.
How fast can I get a certificate to a broker?
Once your policy is in force, call us with the broker's details and we will issue the certificate. We cannot promise a time frame for every request, but we work to keep you from waiting on paperwork.
Let's make sure your freight is covered
Tell us what you haul and who you haul for, and we will help you find cargo coverage that fits. Carriers in Alpharetta, Marietta and across the north metro are welcome.