Car Hauler Insurance: Requirements, Coverage & Costs in 2026
Updated: 15 hours ago
Whether you're hauling three cars or nine, you need insurance that protects your truck, your business, and the vehicles you're transporting.
But not every car hauler needs the same coverage. Someone transporting used cars from auctions has different insurance needs than someone hauling brand-new vehicles for dealerships or expensive luxury cars.
Starting a brand-new car hauling company? Read Can You Get Car Hauler Insurance With a New Authority?
Here's what you need to know before getting car hauler insurance.
Prefer to watch? Here's my quick video on how much cargo insurance car haulers need:
What Insurance Do Car Haulers Need?
Most car haulers need three main types of coverage.
1. Primary Auto Liability
Car haulers generally need $1 million in Primary Auto Liability. This pays for injuries or damage you cause to other people or their property in a covered accident. It doesn't cover your own truck or the cars you're hauling.
2. Motor Truck Cargo Insurance
This covers the cars you're transporting if they're damaged in a covered loss. For example, if you're involved in an accident and several vehicles on your trailer are damaged, cargo insurance is the coverage that may pay for those vehicles. The amount you need depends on how many cars you haul and what they're worth.
3. Physical Damage Insurance
This protects your own truck and insured trailer against covered damage from accidents, theft, fire, and other covered causes. If you're financing your equipment, your lender will typically require this coverage. Learn more about Physical Damage Insurance and how equipment values and deductibles work.
Need insurance for your car hauler?
How Much Cargo Insurance Do You Need?
This is one of the most important things I discuss with car haulers. Let's say you have a 9-car hauler.
If you're transporting nine used cars worth $20,000 each, you're carrying $180,000 worth of vehicles. Now imagine those same nine cars are brand-new vehicles worth $60,000 each. You're carrying $540,000.
Same truck. Same trailer. Very different insurance needs.
For another example of cargo limits, see Motor Truck Cargo Insurance Requirements: Is $100,000 Enough?.
That's why I always ask: What's the most expensive car you haul? And what's the total value of all the cars you carry at once?
Can a Per-Car Limit Lower Your Insurance Cost?
Sometimes, yes. Some insurance companies offer cargo policies with different limits for each individual car: $50,000 per car, $100,000 per car, or no separate per-car limit (subject to the total cargo limit).
For example, you might have $250,000 in cargo insurance but a $50,000 limit for each car. If you damage a $90,000 vehicle, that $50,000 limit could leave you responsible for a significant amount.
However, if you only transport cars worth $20,000–$30,000, a $50,000 per-car limit might be a reasonable way to save money. I can compare these options to see what makes sense for what you're hauling.
I go deeper into per-car limits and high-value vehicles here.
For more ways to review premiums, see How to Lower Your Commercial Truck Insurance Premium.
Does It Matter If You Haul New or Used Cars?
Absolutely. This is usually one of the first things I ask when quoting car haulers.
Some insurance programs are better suited for used cars, while others offer additional coverage options for brand-new vehicles and expensive cars. If you're hauling new cars for dealerships or manufacturers, you may also need special wording on your cargo insurance.
Diminished Value: A damaged car might be worth less even after it's repaired. Certain policies can cover that loss in value.
Constructive Total Loss: In certain situations, a vehicle may be treated as a total loss even if it can technically be repaired.
New-Car Valuation: Special wording that determines how a brand-new vehicle is valued if it's damaged.
Not every cargo policy includes these options. When I quote your insurance, I need to know whether your customers or contracts require them. We'll cover these in more detail in a separate guide to car hauler cargo insurance.
Hauling new cars, luxury vehicles, or dealership inventory?
What About Damage During Loading and Unloading?
Not all damage happens on the road. You could scrape a bumper while loading a car, damage a mirror while positioning it on the trailer, or accidentally hit another vehicle during unloading.
Some cargo insurance policies cover certain loading and unloading accidents. Others have restrictions or exclusions. I review these details when comparing coverage options because they're particularly important for car haulers.
How Much Does Car Hauler Insurance Cost?
There isn't one standard price for car hauler insurance. A new company with one truck might pay a very different premium than an established company with five trucks and experienced drivers.
Your driving record: Accidents, tickets, and driver experience matter.
How long you've been in business: New authorities may have fewer insurance options.
Where you operate: Local and nationwide operations can be priced differently.
Your equipment: The type and value of your truck and trailer.
What you haul: Used cars, new cars, luxury vehicles, or exotics.
Your cargo coverage: Higher limits and fewer restrictions may cost more.
Your claims history: Previous insurance claims can affect pricing.
There are sometimes ways to reduce costs, such as choosing a reasonable per-car cargo limit. But I wouldn't recommend saving a little on premium if it leaves you with a major coverage gap.
What Do I Need to Get You a Car Hauler Insurance Quote?
When you contact me, I need some basic information about your business, equipment, drivers, and the vehicles you're hauling. Most importantly, I'll ask:
Are you hauling new cars, used cars, or both?
How many cars can your trailer carry?
What's the most expensive car you haul?
What's the maximum total value of all the cars you transport at once?
How much cargo insurance are you looking for?
Would you consider a $50,000 or $100,000 per-car limit to potentially save money, or do you need no separate per-car limit?
Do your customers require special coverage for diminished value, constructive total loss, or new-car valuation?
I'll also need your DOT information, truck and trailer details, driver information, operating states, and insurance history. These answers help me figure out which insurance programs fit your business and what coverage options I should quote.
Ready to compare car hauler insurance options?
Do You Offer Specialized Auto Hauling Insurance?
Yes. In addition to traditional trucking insurance options, I have access to a specialized auto-hauling insurance program available to qualifying businesses in select states.
Depending on the operation, this program may offer higher cargo limits, no separate per-car limit, and additional coverage options for new and expensive vehicles. It's not available everywhere, and not every company will qualify. I can review your operation to see whether this program or another insurance option is a better fit.
How Can Alex Help?
I've specialized in commercial trucking insurance since 2020, helping owner-operators, new authorities, and established fleets find coverage that fits their businesses.
When it comes to car haulers, I don't just look at how many cars your trailer holds. I look at what you're transporting, how much those vehicles are worth, and what your customers require. That helps me compare insurance options that make sense for your operation and your budget.
Related Resources
Coverage, premiums, and eligibility depend on your operation, insurance company guidelines, and policy terms. Insurance requirements may also vary based on applicable regulations and contracts.
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