Insurance Resources
Car Hauler Insurance: Coverage and Cost Guide 2026
Car hauler insurance is a commercial trucking insurance package for businesses that haul vehicles for hire. It typically combines primary auto liability, auto hauler cargo for the vehicles you carry, and physical damage for your truck and trailer, plus the federal or state filings your authority requires.
You need it if you haul customer vehicles for a fee, from a single-car hotshot to a 10-car stinger. Dealers, body shops, and repair shops that move vehicles as part of their business may need it too. Personal auto policies typically exclude hauling for hire.
| Rig type | Vehicle capacity | Typical cost direction |
|---|---|---|
| Single-car hotshot | 1 vehicle | Usually the lowest cost, with lower equipment and cargo exposure. |
| 2 to 4 car wedge | 2 to 4 vehicles | Rises with dually and wedge value, multi-state miles, and full-load value. |
| 7 to 10 car stinger | 7 to 10 vehicles | Usually the highest cost, since more equipment and vehicles are exposed in one loss. |
| Enclosed hauler | Varies by trailer | Driven by trailer value and the luxury, collector, or specialty vehicles you haul. |
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| Coverage | What it pays for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Primary auto liability | Injury or property damage you cause to others with your truck | Limit amount and federal or state filings. It does not cover the vehicles you haul. |
| Auto hauler cargo (vehicle-in-transit) | Damage to or theft of customer vehicles in your care | Per-vehicle and per-load limits, loading and unloading, theft, and unattended vehicle rules |
| Physical damage | Collision, theft, fire, and other damage to your truck | Stated value and deductible |
| Trailer coverage | Damage to your owned or financed trailer | Trailer listed by VIN and value. Borrowed trailers need trailer interchange coverage. |
| General liability | Non-driving incidents, such as a customer injury at your yard | Loading, unloading, and care-custody-control exclusions |
| Workers’ compensation | Employee injuries required by state law | State rules. Owner-operators often use occupational accident coverage instead. |
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| Quote item | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Auto liability | Limit, covered vehicles, radius, and filings |
| Auto hauler cargo | Per-vehicle limit, per-load limit, deductible, and whether vehicles are eligible cargo |
| Loading and unloading | Whether damage at each stage is included, limited, or excluded |
| Unattended vehicles | Security requirements and time or location restrictions |
| Tie-down losses | Required securement methods and related exclusions |
| Diminished value | Whether the form covers lost resale value after covered damage |
| Physical damage | Valuation basis, deductibles, and truck and trailer schedule |
| Territory and operations | States, radius, and business use shown on the quote |
| Payment terms | Down payment, installment fees, and cancellation terms |
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much does car hauler insurance cost per month?
Most car haulers pay about $700 to $1,500 per month per truck. New authorities, enclosed transport, long-haul routes, and prior claims push pricing higher. Your actual quote depends on your rig, full-load value, radius, and driver records.
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What do brokers and auctions require on my certificate of insurance?
Most require $1 million in auto liability, an active BMC-91 or BMC-91X filing with FMCSA, and cargo limits that match your maximum load value. Some facilities also require general liability with their business listed as an additional insured. Get each broker’s or auction’s requirements in writing before your first load.
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Why does enclosed car hauling cost more to insure?
Enclosed haulers carry fewer vehicles, but those vehicles are usually worth more, such as exotics, classics, and luxury SUVs. A single theft or accident creates a larger loss, so carriers require higher per-vehicle cargo limits and tighter theft controls.
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Am I liable for damage that was already on a vehicle at pickup?
Cargo coverage pays only for damage that happens while the vehicle is in your care. Without proof of the vehicle’s condition at pickup, you may end up disputing or paying for damage you didn’t cause. Photograph every vehicle and note existing damage on a signed condition report.
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Does a car hauler trailer need separate insurance?
Yes, if you want the trailer itself covered. Your auto liability usually extends to an attached trailer, but damage to the trailer needs physical damage coverage with the trailer listed on the policy. Cargo coverage pays for the vehicles you haul, not your trailer.
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