Motor Truck Cargo Insurance (MTC)
Motor truck cargo (MTC) insurance pays for loss or damage to the freight you haul when you’re legally responsible for it. Brokers and shippers require it before you’re loaded, and your coverage depends on the commodities listed on your policy. MIG shops cargo coverage with 30+ A-rated insurance carriers in 48 states.
Free and no obligation. We compare options across our insurance carrier partners to help you find the right coverage at a competitive price.
What Is Motor Truck Cargo Insurance?
Federal law (the Carmack Amendment) generally makes a motor carrier responsible for loss or damage to freight it accepts, even when the carrier wasn’t at fault. Cargo insurance is how most carriers cover that responsibility.
FMCSA doesn’t require cargo insurance for general freight carriers. Household goods carriers must have cargo coverage on file (BMC-34). In practice, nearly every broker and shipper requires MTC before you’re loaded.
- Freight damaged in a collision, overturn or fire
- Theft of the load, subject to your policy's security conditions
- Listed commodities on scheduled vehicles while in transit
- Debris removal and cleanup after a covered loss, if included
- Your truck or trailer → Physical Damage
- Injuries or damage to others → Auto Liability
- Spoilage from a reefer breakdown, unless endorsed
- Commodities not listed on your policy
Your Cargo Policy Only Covers the Commodities It Lists
Cargo coverage is commodity-specific. When you buy MTC, the insurance carrier rates the policy on what you told them you haul. Haul something that isn’t on that list and the insurance carrier may deny the claim, even if the loss would otherwise be covered.
Request a Commodity Endorsement
Use our policy change request form to add a commodity or raise a limit. This form is for current MIG clients only.
Get Cargo Coverage That Fits Your Freight
Tell us what you haul and we’ll shop cargo coverage that lists the commodities you need. Free and no obligation.
Common Cargo Exclusions and Conditions
Every cargo form is different. These are the exclusions and conditions that most often cause a cargo claim to be reduced or denied.
Unlisted Commodities
Freight that isn’t on your commodity list, or that falls in an excluded class, may not be covered at all.
Unattended Vehicle Theft
Many forms only cover theft if the truck was locked, attended or parked under specific conditions, such as a secured lot or an alarm.
Theft by Deception
Losses from fictitious pickups, identity theft or fraud may be excluded or limited. Verify who you’re picking up for and delivering to.
Reefer Breakdown
Spoilage from a refrigeration unit failure is usually excluded unless you add a reefer breakdown endorsement.
Driver or Employee Dishonesty
Theft by your own drivers or employees is commonly excluded and may require separate crime coverage.
Storage & Unscheduled Units
Some forms limit how long a loaded trailer can sit in one place, and may only cover freight on scheduled trucks and trailers.
Commodities often excluded or restricted (varies by policy):
How Much Cargo Coverage Do You Need?
$100,000 is the most common broker requirement, but your limit should match the most valuable load you haul, not the minimum. High-value freight often calls for $250,000 or more.
- Per vehicle or per occurrence. Know whether your limit applies to each truck or to a single loss event.
- Deductible. A higher deductible lowers premium. Choose one you can pay out of pocket at claim time.
- Load-specific limits. Some brokers require a higher limit for a single load. Ask before you book.
When the load is worth more than your limit
| Value of the load | $180,000 |
| Your cargo limit | $100,000 |
| Not covered by your cargo policy | $80,000 |
Illustration only. Your deductible also applies, and as the motor carrier you can still be held liable to the shipper for the full loss.
Covering the gap: per-shipment cargo can add coverage for a single load above your limit.
Per-Shipment Cargo for Loads Above Your Limit
When a broker requires more cargo coverage than your policy carries, per-shipment cargo (PSC) lets you add coverage for that one load instead of raising your limit for the whole year. MIG offers per-shipment cargo through Loadsure.
- Load by load. Buy coverage only for the shipments that need it.
- Your own login. MIG's Operations team sets up your account so you can buy coverage whenever a high-value load comes up.
- Buy before the load ships. Coverage applies from pickup to final destination as shown on the shipping documents.
- Exclusions apply. Eligibility depends on the commodity and your primary cargo policy.
Set Up Per-Shipment Cargo
Tell us about the load and our Operations team will set up your per-shipment cargo login.
Submitting this form doesn’t bind coverage. Our Operations team reviews requests Mon–Fri, 8 AM–5 PM ET.
Reefer Breakdown and Other Cargo Options
Availability, limits and pricing vary by insurance carrier. Your policy documents control what is covered.
Reefer Breakdown
Covers spoilage when a mechanical breakdown of the refrigeration unit causes a temperature change. Common requirements:
- Documented, regular reefer maintenance
- Temperature records or unit downloads after a loss
- Its own deductible, often higher than the cargo deductible
- Doesn't pay to repair the reefer unit itself
- Neglect and driver temperature-setting errors may be excluded
Debris Removal
Pays to clean up spilled cargo after a covered accident, a cost that can add up fast. Sublimits vary by policy.
Earned Freight
Reimburses freight charges you couldn’t collect because the load was lost or damaged in a covered loss.
Terminal Coverage
Extends cargo coverage to freight held at your terminal or yard, usually for a limited time.
Trailer Interchange
Covers damage to a non-owned trailer under an interchange agreement. It’s a physical damage coverage. See Physical Damage.
What Brokers Check on Your Cargo Coverage
- Limit. Usually $100,000, higher for high-value or specialized freight.
- Commodity match. The load's commodity isn't excluded on your policy.
- Reefer breakdown. Commonly required for temperature-controlled loads.
- Restrictive exclusions. Unattended-vehicle and theft conditions some brokers won't accept.
- Deductible and insurer rating. Some brokers set a maximum deductible and a minimum AM Best rating.
Handling a Cargo Claim
- Note damage or shortages on the bill of lading before anyone signs, and take photos.
- Report the claim directly to your insurance carrier as soon as possible. Your policy documents list how.
- Take reasonable steps to protect the freight from further loss, and keep receipts.
- Keep the BOL, delivery receipt, temperature records and load documents together.
Reporting to MIG isn't the same as filing with your insurance carrier. Our claims page lists contacts for many insurance carriers.
Cargo Works Alongside Your Other Policies
Auto Liability
Injury and damage you cause to others.
Physical Damage
Repairs or replaces your truck and trailer.
Freight Broker Insurance
Contingent cargo and auto for brokers.
Intermodal / UIIA
Drayage and container freight.
New Authority
Starting out and need cargo to get loaded.
Small Fleet
Owner-operators and growing fleets.
Fleet
Larger programs and higher limits.
Trucking Terms Glossary
Plain-English trucking insurance terms.
Motor Truck Cargo Questions
What is MTC insurance?
How much cargo insurance do I need?
Is cargo insurance required by FMCSA?
What happens if I haul a commodity that isn't on my policy?
Does cargo insurance cover reefer breakdown?
Does cargo insurance cover theft?
What's the difference between motor truck cargo and contingent cargo?
What is per-shipment cargo insurance?
Is the quote free?
Get a Free, No-Obligation Cargo Quote
Tell us what you haul. Start online in minutes, or talk to a MIG Producer Mon–Fri, 8 AM–5 PM ET. We’re happy to help.
This page is general information about motor truck cargo insurance and is not legal advice or a statement of coverage. Coverage, commodities, limits, eligibility and pricing are determined by the insurance carrier, and your policy documents control. Marquee Insurance Group is an independent insurance agency and does not issue policies, make underwriting decisions or decide claims.