What insurance does a Texas box truck business need?

This page is for businesses running straight trucks, typically 16 to 26 feet: final-mile and last-mile delivery, appliance and furniture delivery, expedited freight, local LTL, moving and household goods, and box trucks booked through load boards and delivery platforms. Many of these operations run non-CDL drivers and grow fast, which is exactly what underwriters look at.

The rules that apply depend on three things: the truck's rating, whether you cross state lines for hire, and whether you move household goods.

• 10,001 lbs GVWR (federal). A box truck at or above this rating is a commercial motor vehicle under 49 CFR 390.5. For-hire interstate hauling of non-hazardous property at this size requires at least $750,000 of liability under 49 CFR 387.9, filed by your insurer on a BMC-91X. Drivers must be medically certified (49 CFR 391.41).
• 26,000 lbs (TxDMV). TxDMV requires intrastate registration for vehicles over 26,000 lbs by gross weight, registered weight or rating, with $500,000 minimum liability. Most box trucks are below that line.
• Household goods (TxDMV, any weight). Texas requires household goods movers that transport for compensation to register regardless of vehicle weight. TxDMV's table sets $300,000 liability for household goods movers under 26,000 lbs and cargo coverage of $5,000 for total cargo on one vehicle and $10,000 aggregate for multiple shippers on one vehicle. Interstate household goods carriers have a parallel federal cargo requirement in 49 CFR 387.303(c).
• 26,001 lbs GVWR (CDL). A single vehicle rated 26,001 lbs or more is a Group B vehicle under 49 CFR 383.91. Box trucks rated below that generally do not require a CDL unless they haul placarded hazmat.

See the filings guide and Texas intrastate requirements.

Box truck work comes from load boards and freight brokers, retailers and furniture stores, and delivery programs that contract with small fleets. The insurance asks are similar across them, though the numbers vary and we do not publish any company's requirements:

• Auto liability at a stated limit, often above the legal minimum. See why brokers require $1 million.
• Cargo at a stated limit. See how much cargo brokers require.
• General liability, especially when drivers carry items into homes, assemble or install.
• Workers comp or occupational accident for drivers and helpers. Texas lets most private employers choose whether to carry comp, but contracts often require it. See workers comp in Texas trucking and occupational accident vs workers comp.
• Additional insured and waiver of subrogation on GL and auto for the retailer or program. See certificate holder vs additional insured.

• Driver pool and turnover. Non-CDL drivers are easier to hire, so underwriters look closely at age, experience, MVRs and how quickly drivers are added. See what drivers trucking insurance can cover.
• Route density. Urban multi-stop delivery means more backing, more tight streets and more small claims.
• Operation type. Residential delivery with in-home work, commercial dock-to-dock freight and household moving are priced differently.
• Liftgates and helpers. Loading and lifting injuries feed workers comp or occupational accident costs.
• Rented trucks. Peak-season rentals need hired auto coverage and a look at the rental agreement. See hired and non-owned auto.
• Telematics and cameras. See do dashcams lower truck insurance.

Damage inside the customer's home

Auto liability covers liability from using the truck, including loading and unloading. Once the driver is inside the house scraping a floor or cracking a doorframe during installation, that is typically a general liability claim. A box truck business without GL often discovers this on its first in-home claim. See truckers general liability.

Damage to the goods you are installing

Damage to customer property in your care can fall under cargo, GL or neither, depending on the forms. GL policies commonly exclude damage to property in your care, custody or control. Ask how each policy treats goods after they leave the truck.

Unattended vehicle theft

Multi-stop delivery means the truck is often left while the driver is at the door. Cargo forms often carry an unattended vehicle exclusion or lock conditions. See what the unattended vehicle exclusion is.

Rental and borrowed trucks

A rented box truck is not on your schedule. Hired auto liability and physical damage for hired autos need to be on the policy, and the rental agreement may shift damage to you.

Household goods filings

A mover that carries general freight insurance but not the household goods cargo filing TxDMV requires is out of compliance even if the limits look right.