Get a quoteGet a quoteCasey places commercial insurance for auto hauling operations — stinger-steered, wedge, and enclosed car carriers. From single-trailer owner-operators running dealer transfers to multi-truck fleets on OEM contracts. We know which carriers write proper auto hauler cargo (not stripped-down dry van forms) and where the chip/scratch claim language actually pays.
Send your DOT and a few details. A broker will reach out within 1 business hour.
Casey places commercial insurance for auto hauling operations — stinger-steered, wedge, and enclosed car carriers. From single-trailer owner-operators running dealer transfers to multi-truck fleets on OEM contracts. We know which carriers write proper auto hauler cargo (not stripped-down dry van forms) and where the chip/scratch claim language actually pays.
Overview
Auto haulers move cargo that’s already a vehicle. Each load is identified, titled, and tracked — and the buyer cares about every scratch on it. That changes the cargo line in two ways: limits need to match the full retail value of the cars on the deck (not a $100K dry van default), and the policy form needs to pay chip-and-scratch damages, not just total losses.
Open carriers (stingers, wedges) and enclosed trailers price very differently. Enclosed haulers carrying exotics and collector cars need stated-value cargo at six-figure limits per vehicle. Open carriers running fleet transfers can usually run at lower per-vehicle limits but higher aggregate.
“On a wedge hauler, $100K cargo doesn’t cover seven new SUVs. We rate cargo to actual load value, not the carrier’s default.”
Coverage you’ll typically need
Auto hauler policies share the core lines with other for-hire trucking but the cargo line is where the work happens.
Why auto hauling is harder than dry van
Auto haulers face decline reasons most other trucking operations don’t see — most tied to cargo claim severity and equipment type.
Chip-and-scratch claim frequency
Auto hauler cargo claims are different — frequent, small, and identifiable per VIN. Some carriers won’t write them; others sublimit them.
Exotic / collector car haul
Enclosed haulers running exotics need high stated-value cargo. Narrow market and detailed underwriting.
New ventures under 12 months
Most auto hauler markets want a year. A small panel writes new authority at rated-up pricing.
MVR issues
Major violations move you out of standard markets; OEM contracts often have driver MVR requirements that compound.
Open carriers in hail country
Open carriers sit outside in hail and weather; physical damage and cargo claim severity rates up in the Midwest and Texas.
Theft exposure
Auto theft (full vehicle from the deck, parts theft from yard) is a real cargo claim source. Yard security helps.
What drives your premium
Auto hauler premiums are driven by trailer type (open vs. enclosed), commodity mix (fleet vs. retail vs. exotic), and claim history.
Quote in 24–48 hours
We pull your DOT and MC data automatically. The rest is paperwork most auto haulers have on hand.
Federal compliance
Auto haulers face the same FMCSA baseline as other for-hire interstate carriers, plus state height and weight limits that vary widely for car carrier rigs.
Federal minimums (FMCSA). $750,000 combined single limit auto liability for non-hazardous freight on a vehicle over 10,001 lbs. The MCS-90 endorsement is required.
Practical contract minimums. OEM contracts typically require $1M–$2M auto liability and $250K–$1M cargo. Auction and dealer-network contracts often require $1M auto and $250K cargo.
Securement (FMCSA 393.130). Auto haulers must comply with cargo securement rules specific to vehicle transport. Securement failure is both a CSA violation source and a frequent cargo claim driver.
Common questions