Trucking company coverage guide
Motor truck cargo for trucking companies
Updated 2026-06-11 · by Brokly
Required if you move household goods for hire interstate — federal rules require cargo coverage of at least $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per occurrence (49 CFR 387.303); for general freight there is no federal cargo mandate, and coverage is a contractual matter with shippers and brokers.
Coverage
What it covers for trucking companies
Inland-marine coverage for the customer's property in the carrier's possession in transit — coverage for property held by a bailee. The federally required household-goods version exists to compensate individual shippers for loss or damage to property in the carrier's custody. A hauler's entire product is the safe arrival of someone else's property — cargo in your custody is the trade's signature exposure.
Sources: 49 CFR § 387.303 — security for the protection of the public (govinfo) (as of CFR 2023 edition, retrieved 2026-06-06) · NAIC — Glossary of Insurance Terms (inland marine) (retrieved 2026-06-06)
By state
Motor truck cargo by state
What trucking companies need varies by state. See the full guide for trucking companies in your state: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · all states →