Short answer
The cargo limit is whatever your broker-carrier agreement or rate confirmation says. FMCSA requires no cargo insurance for general freight carriers, so the number is purely contractual and can change by load value and commodity.
- Only household goods carriers have a legal cargo minimum: $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per occurrence under federal rules, and the same amounts in Texas.
- The limit is only half the question. Commodity exclusions, reefer breakdown, unattended-vehicle and theft conditions decide whether a claim actually pays.
Why there is no single answer
FMCSA's insurance filing chart lists $0 cargo insurance for for-hire property carriers. 49 CFR 387.303(c) sets cargo security only for household goods carriers. Texas follows the same pattern: TxDMV requires cargo insurance only from household goods carriers. So every cargo number you see on a carrier packet comes from the broker or shipper.
Brokers typically state a standard cargo amount in the broker-carrier agreement and may ask for more on high-value loads through the rate confirmation. Before you buy a limit, collect the agreements you actually haul under and find the highest number. Our broker-carrier agreement page shows where those clauses usually sit.
| Source | Cargo requirement |
|---|---|
| FMCSA, general freight carriers | None ($0 on the FMCSA filing chart) |
| FMCSA, household goods carriers | $5,000 per vehicle, $10,000 per occurrence (49 CFR 387.303(c)) |
| TxDMV, household goods carriers | $5,000 single shipper per vehicle, $10,000 aggregate per vehicle |
| Broker-carrier agreement | Whatever the contract states |
| Rate confirmation | May raise the amount for a specific load |
Limit per vehicle vs per load vs per occurrence
Cargo policies state a limit per vehicle or per load, and sometimes a separate limit for a single occurrence or for cargo at a terminal. If you put two loaded trailers in one yard and both burn, a per-occurrence cap matters. If a single load is worth more than your per-vehicle limit, you are self-insuring the difference. Match the limit to your highest-value realistic load, not your average one.
The terms that decide whether a cargo claim pays
Two policies with the same limit can respond very differently. The usual pressure points:
- Commodity exclusions. Many cargo forms exclude or limit specific commodities. If you haul something the form excludes, the limit on the certificate is meaningless for that load. See what does cargo insurance exclude.
- Reefer breakdown. Spoilage from refrigeration failure is often excluded unless added. See reefer breakdown coverage.
- Theft conditions. Many forms restrict theft from an unattended vehicle. See the unattended vehicle exclusion and does cargo insurance cover theft.
- Deductible. Brokers sometimes cap the deductible they will accept.
Where cargo coverage commonly falls short
Making the certificate match the contract
Onboarding platforms compare your certificate to the broker's requirement. A cargo limit lower than the contract, a missing reefer endorsement on a reefer carrier, or an expired policy date will stop a packet. Fix the policy first, then get a fresh certificate. Our motor truck cargo insurance page explains how the coverage itself is built, and carrier packet rejected covers the common flags.
Common questions
Do I need cargo insurance to get MC authority?
Not for general freight. FMCSA requires a cargo filing only from household goods carriers.
Can a broker require more cargo coverage for one load?
Yes, if the agreement or rate confirmation says so. Read rate confirmations for cargo value statements before you accept a high-value load.
If my cargo limit is too low, am I personally liable for the rest?
Your liability for cargo loss is set by law and your contracts, not by your policy limit. Anything above the limit the insurer pays is your exposure. Have an attorney review contract liability clauses.
Sources
- FMCSA, Insurance Filing Requirements. Filing chart: $0 cargo for general property carriers; $5,000 for household goods.
- 49 CFR 387.303, Minimum limits (eCFR). Household goods cargo security of $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per occurrence.
- TxDMV, TxDMV Number (requirements). Texas household goods cargo minimums.
- IRMI, Motor truck cargo (glossary). Motor truck cargo as an inland marine form covering property in transit.
This page explains insurance, not law. Have your attorney review indemnity and contract language; our job is making the insurance match it.
Keep reading
Coverage
Motor truck cargo insurance: what it pays, what it leaves out, and what brokers check
Contracts and deadlines
A broker sent me a carrier agreement. What insurance does it actually require?
Questions
What does cargo insurance exclude?
Coverage
Reefer breakdown coverage: when a failed unit spoils the load
Contracts and deadlines
The broker rejected our carrier packet because of insurance. What now?