How much cargo coverage do flatbed carriers need?

It depends entirely on what you haul. Standard $100k cargo limits are fine for most lumber and building materials but inadequate for steel coils ($75k+ per coil), machinery, and high-value oilfield equipment. We typically recommend $250k – $500k for serious flatbed operations and write higher limits as needed.

Does my cargo policy cover oversized / overweight loads?

Only if the policy is written for it. Standard cargo wording often excludes loads requiring permits or escorts. We write the cargo policy to match your actual operation — including oversized, overweight, and superload moves where applicable.

What about heavy haul and RGN trailers?

Heavy haul is a distinct class within flatbed. We write RGN, lowboy, and double-drop operations through specialty markets that understand the exposure. Pricing depends heavily on the commodity, route, and permitting requirements.

Do you cover oilfield and energy hauling?

Yes. Oilfield hauling (frac sand, pipe, equipment) is a niche we write regularly. The cargo and auto liability are typically written with energy-sector endorsements and higher limits.

Flatbed Trucking Insurance

Open-Deck, Step-Deck, RGN & Oversized Load Coverage

Flatbed trucking is a different exposure than dry van — securement, weather, oversized loads, and high-value commodities like steel, lumber, and heavy equipment all factor into how the policy is structured. Truxsurance writes flatbed as a specialty class with cargo coverage built for the exposure and physical damage that protects expensive trailers and tractors.

Same-day indications available.

Some of the insurance markets we work with

Carrier availability varies by state, operation type, fleet size, and underwriting requirements.

Who This Program Is For

Owner-operators and fleets running flatbed, step-deck, or RGN trailers

Carriers hauling steel, lumber, building materials, and machinery

Oversized / overweight permit haulers

Heavy haul and over-dimensional carriers

Specialty flatbed (rolltite, conestoga, side-kit) operators

Common Flatbed Underwriting Issues

This is what underwriters actually look at:

Cargo claims from improper securement (chains, straps, tarps)
High-value loads (steel coils, machinery) above standard cargo limits
Oversized / overweight loads requiring permits and escorts
Driver experience requirements stricter than dry van
Loss runs with weather-related cargo damage (water on lumber, etc.)

Most retail agents stop here. We do not.

How We Place Flatbed Coverage

We do not just submit applications — we structure them for the way underwriters actually decide.

Cargo coverage written for high-value flatbed commodities

Refrigeration breakdown and tarp coverage where applicable

Direct submission to flatbed-specialty markets (RLI, Great West, Falls Lake)

Permit and escort requirements documented in the application

Real Placement Example

8-truck flatbed fleet — Texas

Exposure

100% steel and oilfield equipment hauling
Average load value $80k, max $250k
1 prior cargo loss (improperly tarped lumber, $14k)

Result

$1M Auto Liability + $250k Motor Truck Cargo (with steel and machinery wording)
Physical Damage on all 8 tractors and 10 trailers
Premium 9% below incumbent renewal indication

Carrier was being non-renewed by their incumbent due to the prior cargo loss. We packaged the submission with documentation of new tarping procedures and bound through E&S in 4 days.

What Flatbed Insurance Costs

Real numbers — not guesses.

Owner-operator flatbed (1 unit)	$8,500 – $15,000 / year
Small flatbed fleet (2–10 units)	$18,000 – $75,000 / year
Mid-size flatbed (11–25 units)	$75,000 – $250,000 / year
Heavy haul / oversized	Custom — call for indication

What Drives Pricing

Commodity mix and average load value
Operating radius and route
Trailer count, year, and stated value
Driver experience and securement training
Loss history (especially cargo damage)

Flatbed Coverages We Offer

Commercial Auto Liability ($1M – $5M)

Motor Truck Cargo ($100k – $500k+ with high-value endorsements)

Physical Damage — tractor and flatbed / step-deck / RGN trailer

General Liability with operations endorsements

Tarp coverage and refrigeration breakdown where applicable

Workers Compensation

Excess Auto Liability up to $5M

Cargo Coverage Built for Open-Deck Exposure

Most cargo policies are written for sealed dry-van loads — they exclude or sub-limit the things flatbeds actually haul. We make sure your cargo policy responds to the real loss.

Steel coil endorsements with appropriate limits
Heavy machinery and rigging coverage
Tarp coverage for water damage to lumber and building materials
Securement equipment (chains, binders, straps) coverage

Los Angeles / Southern California office

Local support for LA, Long Beach & the Inland Empire

Truxsurance
714 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 906
Los Angeles, CA 90015

1-888-254-0089

Our Los Angeles team supports trucking and drayage operations across the Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach, the I-710 freight corridor, Commerce and Vernon, and Inland Empire warehouse markets in Ontario, Fontana, Riverside, and San Bernardino.

We help California motor carriers address CA DMV filing requirements, CARB fleet considerations, UIIA certificates, trailer interchange, cargo, physical damage, and liability limits for port-to-warehouse and multi-state freight.

Port of Los Angeles coverage Long Beach drayage coverage Inland Empire trucking coverage

Why Truxsurance

Flatbed is a specialty class for us — not an exception

Direct E&S markets that write open-deck exposure

Cargo wording reviewed and customized to your commodities

Same-day indications, money binds coverage

Frequently Asked Questions

Get a Flatbed Trucking Insurance Quote

Cargo wording built for what you actually haul. Same-day indications.

Same-day indications available.