5 min read
Tow Truck Insurance Cost in 2026: $450-$620/Month Average
Quick Answer: Tow truck insurance averages $450-$620/month ($5,400-$7,440/year) for single-truck operations in 2026,...
Car Hauler Insurance
Car hauler and auto transport insurance built around your load
When you haul other people's vehicles, the cars on your trailer are worth more than your truck. We build coverage that protects the full value of every vehicle you carry, on open or enclosed trailers, and handle your FMCSA filings. Independent brokers across 40+ states.
Get a Car Hauler Quote Call 833-776-467140+
States covered
FMCSA
Filings & MCS-90
Open & Enclosed
High-value cargo
Independent
Multiple carriers
Quick Answer: Car hauler insurance, also called auto transport insurance, protects businesses that haul vehicles for others. The coverage that matters most is motor truck cargo sized to the total value of the vehicles on your trailer, not a flat $100,000. A loaded open hauler can carry $200,000 to $500,000 in vehicles, and an enclosed exotic load far more. We build the cargo limit, liability, and filings around your actual operation.
What car hauler insurance covers
A complete auto transport program stacks several coverages around your truck, your trailer, and the vehicles you carry.
Primary auto liability
The required foundation. Pays for injury and property damage your rig causes to others, at the limit your authority and brokers demand.
Auto hauler cargo
The coverage that defines this business. Protects the vehicles you haul, with a limit sized to the full value of a loaded trailer.
Physical damage
Repairs or replaces your truck and trailer after a collision, theft, fire, or weather. Open and enclosed trailers are major assets worth protecting.
Bobtail & non-trucking liability
Covers your truck off-dispatch and between loads, when your primary policy does not apply. See bobtail coverage.
General liability
Covers claims off the road, at terminals, staging lots, or during handling. Works alongside auto liability. See general liability.
FMCSA filings & MCS-90
We file the MCS-90 endorsement and BMC-91X with the FMCSA to activate and maintain your authority, handled as part of placing your policy.
The number that makes or breaks a car hauler policy
Your cargo limit must match the value on your trailer
Most auto transporters are under-insured on cargo without knowing it. A standard 100,000 dollar cargo limit was never built for a trailer full of vehicles. Here is what actually matters:
✓Open haulers carrying 7 to 10 vehicles can have 200,000 to 500,000 dollars on the trailer at once.
✓Enclosed haulers moving exotics and classics can exceed that on a single car, so cargo limits run much higher.
✓A large share of claims happen during loading and unloading, which some cargo forms limit or exclude.
✓Even a perfectly repaired vehicle can trigger a diminished value claim against you.
We size your cargo limit to your real load, confirm loading and unloading is covered, and check how the form handles diminished value, so a single bad day on the ramps does not come out of your pocket.
Who we insure
From a single hotshot rig to a multi-truck transport company, we tailor coverage to what you haul and how.
Open car haulers
Multi-car open trailers moving standard vehicles between dealers, auctions, and owners.
Enclosed transporters
High-value, exotic, and classic car haulers needing higher cargo limits and security.
Hotshot & single-car
Owner-operators running a hotshot or single-car setup who still need full cargo and liability.
Multi-truck carriers
Transport companies running several rigs, covered together under fleet insurance.
Dealer transport
Dealer and auction transport operations moving inventory on their own trucks.
Interstate & for-hire
Carriers crossing state lines under their own authority, with full FMCSA filings handled.
FMCSA requirements for auto transporters
Car haulers are motor carriers of property, so federal rules apply. The FMCSA requires primary liability, commonly a $750,000 minimum, though most brokers and shippers require $1,000,000. Your insurer must file an MCS-90 endorsement and a BMC-91X to activate or maintain your operating authority, and you cannot legally run interstate without them.
We handle every filing, size your cargo and liability to your contracts, and connect your car hauler program to commercial trucking and commercial auto coverage as your operation grows. For higher limits brokers sometimes demand, we add a commercial umbrella.
What car hauler insurance costs
Cargo value is the biggest swing factor, alongside radius, driver records, and whether you run open or enclosed. Typical 2026 ranges per truck:
| Operation type | Typical annual (per truck) |
|---|---|
| Open car hauler under own authority | $12,000 to $18,000 |
| Enclosed / high-value hauler | $15,000 to $25,000+ |
| Leased to a carrier (bobtail + physical damage) | $3,000 to $6,000 |
Ranges are 2026 estimates for budgeting, not quotes. Higher cargo limits raise the premium, while a clean MVR and loss history lower it. For how cargo and liability fit a broader strategy, see our commercial trucking guide.
Related coverage and guides
Commercial Trucking InsuranceThe full motor carrier program behind your hauler. Transportation Insurance HubEvery commercial vehicle coverage in one place. Towing InsuranceOn-hook and garage keepers for tow and recovery.
What our clients say
Why auto transporters choose Pro Insurance Group
We size cargo correctly
We set your cargo limit to your real load value, not a default number that leaves you exposed.
Independent market access
We shop carriers that specialize in auto transport, open and enclosed, and compare them for you.
Filings handled
MCS-90, BMC-91X, and FMCSA-compliant plans so your authority stays active.
Fast COIs
Certificates turned around quickly so loads and broker contracts never wait on paperwork.
Car hauler insurance FAQ
What is car hauler insurance?
Car hauler insurance, also called auto transport insurance, is a commercial program for businesses that haul vehicles for others. It combines primary auto liability, physical damage on your truck and trailer, and motor truck cargo sized to the vehicles you carry, plus bobtail, general liability, and FMCSA filings.
How much cargo coverage does a car hauler need?
Your cargo limit should match the total value of every vehicle on the trailer, not a flat $100,000. A loaded open 7 to 10 car hauler can carry $200,000 to $500,000 in vehicles, and an enclosed exotic load far more. Carrying too little cargo coverage is the single most expensive mistake auto transporters make.
What is the difference between open and enclosed car hauler insurance?
Open haulers carry standard vehicles on an exposed trailer and usually need cargo limits in the mid six figures. Enclosed haulers carry high-value, exotic, and classic cars, so they need much higher cargo limits and often stricter security and handling requirements. Premiums track the value and risk of the load.
How much does car hauler insurance cost?
A single open car hauler operating under its own authority commonly runs about $12,000 to $18,000 per year, and an enclosed or high-value hauler $15,000 to $25,000 or more because of higher cargo limits. A driver leased to a carrier who only needs bobtail and physical damage pays roughly $3,000 to $6,000. Cargo value, radius, and driver records drive the number.
Does car hauler insurance cover loading and unloading damage?
It can, but you have to confirm it. A large share of car hauler claims happen during loading and unloading, and some cargo forms limit or exclude that exposure. We check the form and make sure loading, unloading, and tie-down damage is covered.
Is car hauler insurance required by the FMCSA?
Yes. Auto transporters are motor carriers of property, so the FMCSA requires primary liability, commonly a $750,000 minimum and frequently a $1,000,000 limit that brokers and shippers demand. Interstate carriers also need the MCS-90 endorsement and a BMC-91X filing to operate.
Do I need cargo coverage for diminished value claims?
Often yes. Even after a flawless repair, a transported vehicle can lose resale value, and the owner may file a diminished value claim against you. Standard cargo forms do not always respond, so we confirm how your policy handles diminished value before you bind.
Cover every vehicle you carry, at full value
A licensed advisor will size your cargo limit to your real load, confirm loading and unloading is covered, file your FMCSA paperwork, and shop it across carriers. No pressure.
Get a Car Hauler Quote Call 833-776-4671NF
Reviewed by Neal Fusco, VP Commercial Lines
25+ years placing auto transport, trucking, and commercial coverage across Illinois and 40+ states.
3 min read
How Much Is Insurance for a Semi‑Truck or Commercial Truck in 2026?
Neal Fusco: Mar 4, 2026
Quick Answer: Commercial truck insurance averages $421/month for $1M in liability coverage in 2026. Owner-operators...
2 min read
Illinois Commercial Truck Insurance: What You Need to Know in 2026
Pro Insurance Group: Apr 10, 2023
Illinois is one of the nation’s busiest freight hubs, connecting major interstates and supporting everything from...