Cargo Van Insurance for Business: Coverage and Rates (2026)

A single cargo van on a local or regional delivery radius usually runs $2,500 to $7,000 a year, which works out to roughly $250 to $600 a month for liability plus physical damage. Courier, expedite, and new ventures sit at the high end of that range. What moves the number most is your operating radius, whether you run courier or freight, your driving record, and the value of the van. A van on 100-mile local loops with a clean MVR pays a lot less than a new authority running interstate expedite.

At minimum you need primary liability. If you are for-hire and crossing state lines in a van under 10,001 lbs GVWR, the FMCSA financial-responsibility minimum is $300,000 for non-hazmat freight, not the $750,000 that applies to heavier trucks. That said, most brokers and shippers still want to see $1 million regardless. Beyond liability, if the van is financed the lender will require physical damage coverage, and most shippers expect motor truck cargo coverage, commonly $25,000 to $100,000. Courier and delivery operators often add hired and non-owned auto plus general liability for loading and delivery exposure.

No. A cargo van with a gross vehicle weight rating under 10,001 lbs does not require a CDL. That is a big part of why van work is an easier on-ramp than a box truck or semi. For for-hire interstate work you still need a USDOT number and, in most cases, MC operating authority, plus insurance filed to meet the federal minimum. Your license type and driving history still affect the rate even without a CDL, so a clean MVR matters.

Yes, but your options narrow and the first-year price is higher. Progressive Commercial, Cover Whale, and HDVI all write new ventures, with HDVI accepting as little as 6 months of experience. Carriers like biBERK and National Indemnity generally want 2+ years of operating history before they will quote you. Plan on paying a new-venture surcharge until you build a clean record, then shop the market again at your first renewal.

Usually, yes. A cargo van weighs less, carries less, and hauls lower-value freight than a 24- or 26-foot box truck, so the liability exposure an underwriter is pricing is smaller. A single van on a local delivery radius tends to land in the $2,500 to $7,000 range, while a comparable box truck often runs $3,500 to $9,000. Courier and expedite use can close that gap, since hard, time-sensitive miles read as higher risk to an underwriter.

Yes. Amazon DSP and similar last-mile contracts set their own coverage requirements, and they run higher than the federal van minimum. These contracts generally call for $1 million in auto liability, $1 million in general liability, and cargo coverage, plus workers compensation depending on your state. Get a quote that meets those limits before you sign so you are not scrambling to upgrade a policy after you have already been approved.