Auto Hauler Cargo Insurance in Pennsylvania
Cargo coverage for the cars on your deck — sized to the real worst-case load, not a rule of thumb.
Auto-hauler cargo coverage pays for the vehicles on your trailer if they are damaged in transit — collision, fire, theft, or a load-shift on the road. It is the heart of auto hauler insurance, because the cargo on a car-hauler deck is dramatically more valuable than typical freight. Seven cars at $40,000 each is a $280,000 load; swap one for a $100,000 EV or luxury SUV and it is $340,000. Either load is past a $250,000 per-load limit.
A common mistake is a per-load limit that looks fine on average but falls short on the expensive run. Carriers usually structure cargo two ways: a per-load aggregate (the total for everything on the deck) and per-vehicle sub-limits (the most paid for any single unit). A hauler with a $250,000 per-load limit but a $50,000 per-vehicle sub-limit is underinsured the day they load a $90,000 truck. We set both numbers to your actual mix.
Open and enclosed haulers price differently. Open haulers running 7 to 10 cars carry more units at moderate values; enclosed haulers carry fewer, far higher-value units and need higher per-vehicle sub-limits to match. Either way, the carriers that price auto-hauler cargo well are not the general-trucking names — see our commercial trucking page for how authority and lane mix factor in.
Pair cargo with on-hook coverage if you handle non-running units, and the loading-to-transit gap closes. Start a Pennsylvania auto hauler quote with your typical and worst-case load values.
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Frequently asked questions
Does auto-hauler cargo cover damage during loading and unloading?
Whether damage during loading and unloading is covered depends on the cargo form: many car-hauler cargo forms include it or add it by endorsement, and some exclude it. On-hook coverage is built for vehicles you tow, winch or wheel-lift, usually wrecked, repossessed or non-running units. If you run roll-on roll-off only, confirm your cargo form includes loading and unloading. If you handle non-running units, add on-hook.
Are cars covered while my loaded trailer is parked overnight?
Check the unattended-vehicle clause. Many cargo forms limit or exclude theft from an unattended trailer unless it is in a locked, fenced or attended lot. If you stage loads overnight, tell us where, so we can match the form to it.
What do I need to price auto-hauler cargo?
Your trailer type and capacity, the highest-value unit you haul, your typical and worst-case load values, whether you take non-running units, your lanes, and prior loss runs. Dealer and auction contracts often state a required cargo limit, so send those too.
How do I handle a damage claim on a delivered car?
Have the receiver note the damage on the bill of lading or condition report at delivery, compare it with your pickup photos, and report it to us right away. Most cargo claims never exceed the deductible, so the deductible you choose decides how often the policy actually pays.