Motor Truck Cargo Insurance
Protect your freight through every step of the transport process, so you and your drivers can focus on delivering cargo with efficiency and peace of mind.
safeguard the Cargo that keeps your business and supply chains moving.
Whether you’re transporting time-sensitive cargo like perishable food or high-value items like electronics, the right cargo insurance policy protects your goods and reputation during every step of their journey.
If goods are damaged and a shipper expects payment, cargo insurance is often the answer for compensation. Without the right freight coverage, your business may be left negotiating payment for the loss without insurance support.
Learn more: Understanding Motor Truck Cargo Insurance Basics
We’d love to help
Cargo insurance policies can be complicated and nuanced. The Alteri team can ensure you have the right coverage in place to protect your cargo from all potential risks.
We’ve made this process simple and easy. First, we need a few details to start your cargo insurance quote. Submit your company, vehicle, and cargo information below and we’ll get to work on your custom coverage.
Customize your
Cargo & truck Insurance
Alteri helps design policies that meet all of your commercial insurance needs.
Liability Insurance
Bundle cargo with liability insurance to protect your business from financial losses if one of your trucks causes injury or property damage to others.
Commercial Fleet
Fleet insurance keeps your operations running smoothly by protecting all your vehicles under one scalable policy.
Transporting Goods
Whether you're moving general dry freight or higher-risk commodities, having the right coverage ensures every delivery stays on track.
Protect your business from loading to delivery.
Motor Truck Cargo
Frequently Asked Questions
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A motor truck cargo policy may respond to cargo damage caused by events including:
Collision or overturn during transit.
Theft of covered cargo, depending on the security conditions under which it took place..
Fire, lightning, or explosion.
Damage during loading or unloading, if included.
Water damage, depending on if the cause is covered.
Reefer breakdown losses, if temperature-sensitive goods and equipment failure are included in the policy.
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While both are important to protect your business. Cargo insurance does not automatically include liability coverage as each coverage is designed to protect against different risks: Cargo insurance can reimburse your business for the value of lost or damaged cargo, while liability insurance covers property damage and injury suffered by a third party.
Alteri’s insurance experts can design a policy that includes coverage for cargo, liability and any other protections you need to manage risks with peace of mind.
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Common cargo insurance exclusions and restrictions include:
Unattended vehicle theft: Some policies require specific security measures.
High-value goods: Check with your insurer as these may need approval or endorsement, don’t assume they are covered without written proof.
Temperature-controlled freight: Perishable goods may be excluded unless reefer breakdown or spoilage coverage is added.
Improper packaging or loading: If the shipper packed the goods poorly, coverage can become complicated as resulting damage might fall under the shipper’s liability insurance.
Employee dishonesty or voluntary parting: Losses involving fraud, scams, or handing goods to the wrong person may be limited or excluded.
Delay, loss of market, or penalties: Many policies cover physical loss or damage, but not every financial consequence of a late or failed delivery.
To understand your policy’s exclusions, ask for the actual policy wording, not just the certificate of insurance.
If you’re unsure about your coverage options, one of Alteri’s insurance experts can review your policy to check for gaps in your coverage.
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The answer depends on the value of your cargo. You can use this check list to help choose a limit:
List your regular commodities. Include seasonal work and occasional high-value loads.
Find the highest load value. Use invoice value, not a guess based on weight or trailer space.
Check broker and shipper contracts. Note the required cargo limit, deductible, and special wording.
Review legal requirements. Alberta laws set minimums, but contracts may go further to provide more complete coverage.
Match endorsements to your freight. Add reefer breakdown, tarping, debris removal, or loading and unloading coverage where needed.
Pick an affordable deductible. A $5,000 deductible may be manageable for one carrier and too expensive for another.