Does commercial truck insurance in Ohio cover cargo?

Yes—but only if you have the right type of coverage.
Commercial truck insurance in Ohio does not automatically include cargo protection in every policy. You typically need a specific add-on called motor truck cargo insurance.

📦 What is cargo insurance?
Motor truck cargo insurance covers the goods you’re hauling if they are:
Damaged in an accident
Stolen
Lost in transit
Destroyed by certain events (like fire)
This coverage is essential for for-hire truckers transporting customer freight.

⚠️ Is cargo coverage required in Ohio?
Not always required by Ohio state law
Often required by brokers and shippers before giving you loads
May be required for interstate operations under guidelines from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (depending on cargo type)

🚛 What cargo insurance typically covers
Most policies protect:
Freight damage from collisions
Theft or hijacking
Fire or certain natural disasters
Loading/unloading incidents (in some policies)

❌ What’s usually NOT covered
Cargo insurance may exclude:
Improper packing by the shipper
Employee theft (unless added)
Certain high-risk or prohibited items
Mechanical breakdown (unless you add extra coverage like reefer breakdown)

💰 How much cargo coverage do you need?
Typical limits range from:
$50,000 to $100,000 for general freight
Higher limits for high-value loads
Your required limit depends on what you haul and contract requirements.

✅ Quick takeaway
Commercial truck insurance in Ohio can cover cargo—but only if you add motor truck cargo insurance. It’s not always legally required, but in practice, most truckers need it to operate and get loads.