Commercial Auto Insurance

Intermodal Trucking Insurance

If your fleet hauls intermodal containers into ports or rail yards, your insurance must meet strict UIIA requirements — or you won’t be allowed through the gate.

The Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Access Agreement (UIIA) is the industry-standard contract governing the interchange of equipment between intermodal motor carriers, ocean carriers, railroads, chassis and equipment leasing providers.

UIIA insurance ensures your fleet can financially cover:

  • Container and chassis damage
  • Cargo loss during handoffs
  • Liability exposures at ports and rail yards
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Who Needs Intermodal Trucking Insurance?

If your operation touches a container, port, or rail facility, standard trucking insurance is often not enough.

Intermodal insurance is required for motor carriers that:

  • Haul ocean or rail containers
  • Perform drayage or port-to-rail moves
  • Operate in or around seaports, inland ports, and rail yards
  • Sign UIIA interchange agreements
  • Lease or pull non-owned chassis or containers

Our specialists will review your operation and recommend coverage that protects your fleet, your drivers, and your ability to operate at ports and rail yards.

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UIIA-Compliant Coverage for Intermodal, Container, and Port Operations

Why Intermodal & Port Hauling Insurance Is Different

Intermodal trucking carries higher risk than standard over-the-road freight due to:

  • Frequent cargo handoffs between ship, rail, and truck
  • High exposure to container and chassis damage
  • Theft and loss during port and rail transfers
  • Contractual requirements from ocean carriers and railroads
  • Higher severity liability claims

That’s why intermodal fleets often carry higher excess liability limits and require insurance from A-rated carriers approved by equipment providers.

Remember, without UIIA-compliant insurance, access to ports and rail terminals is denied.

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UIIA Insurance Requirements for Intermodal Fleets

What Commercial Coverages do you need?

Most ports and rail facilities require intermodal fleets to carry:

Most ports and rail facilities require intermodal fleets to carry:

  • Auto Liability
    $1,000,000 CSL (Any Auto, Scheduled & Hired, or All Owned & Hired)
    Often paired with excess limits up to $5,000,000
  • General Liability
    $1,000,000 per occurrence with excess options
  • Motor Truck Cargo Insurance
    Limits commonly up to $1,000,000 for containerized freight
  • Trailer Interchange Coverage
    Starting at $20,000 with options up to $100,000+
    Covers physical damage to non-owned containers and chassis
  • Workers’ Compensation & Employer’s Liability (if applicable)
  • Hired & Non-Owned Auto
    Important for fleets leasing chassis or equipment

Our team ensures your policy meets UIIA, port authority, and rail yard requirements — not just minimum DOT standards.

Auto Liability

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Physical Damage

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Cargo

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Uninsured and Underinsured

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On-Hook Towing Insurance Coverage

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Broadened Pollution Coverage

Customers Reviews

The guys over at CNS Insurance have the best prices compared to everyone else. Thank you guys.
Robert NievesOwner
Great insurance company! They are friendly and work with you in anyway and they get you on the road within hours.
Gustavo MendozaOwner
While shopping for insurance, Kiel was friendly & knowledgeable every step of the way in choosing a commercial insurance policy for my freight company. His communication was stellar and getting set up was easy as pie. Rates were awesome and competitive. Holly processes all of our COI requests and answers our questions in a very timely fashion. She is always helpful, prompt and attentive. We appreciate this in our industry more than words can describe because it’s so fast pace, having someone who can get you what you need expeditiously really matters. We are very pleased!
Marie AllenOwner
Miss Holly is an amazing account manager .. I just wanna say thank you for your help for the last 4yrs you guys been there for me .. I can name everybody from account to insurance and tax everyone they are very helpful team .. if you own a trucking company I will recommend CNS Insurance.
Truck AmarOwner
I was in a desperate time in my business and I really needed a breakthrough to continued to make money. Tony along with the team not only got me a great price to get my insurance they fought for me as if it was there own business. You do not find real people like that anymore and I will always remember the effort they put in to make sure I succeeded. If you want someone to get the job done these are the people you need guaranteed.
Kevin AntoineOwner
Excellent place, excellent staff, excellent communication, These guys help you out immediately when you call them. I work with Holly Turner númerouse of times and she”s been helpful and does everything immediately, I recommend CNS Insurance to anyone who needs help with insurance.
Myrian BedoyaOwner
Only started doing business with them six weeks ago but looking forward for us to have a great long term relationship. Thanks for all you do.
Miguel McKenzieOwner

Steps to get Commercial Truck Insurance

01

Request a quote

Before we can get you an estimate, we are going to need some information. Fill out a complete quote or quick quote to get started.

02

Get coverage

After we gather all of your information we will get back to you with a detailed breakdown of your coverage and how much it will cost.

03

Start saving

Our Commercial Truck Insurance specialists are constantly working to get you the best rates, whether you are a new or existing client.

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Quick Commercial Intermodal Trucking Insurance Quote

Do you have an Insurance Submission Packet? (upload any relevant information about vehicles, drivers, etc.)

Other Industry Policies

CASE STUDY

Company A, a 9-truck carrier, approached CNS due to a problem in their operations. Their surplus lines carrier who was charging $190,000 annually for 9 trucks was canceling their liability insurance. The trucking company called CNS to see what could be done.

CNS reviewed carrier’s roadside safety, performance, driver files, loss ratio history, systems, and process. CNS analyzed the company had no losses but high BASIC SMS scores. Upon further investigation there were only two drivers that had bad records.

CNS developed hiring and qualification standards and implemented these standards within the company. The company also engaged CNS to manage their divers through drivers qualifications, monitoring drivers and training drivers.

As shown in the graph, the clients safety scores improved year after year.

As a result of the improved safety scores CNS Insurance was able to secure insurance which saved the company $100,000.00 in annual premium. The client has been a loyal CNS and CNS Insurance customer for 6 years.

We Are Your Insurance Family

We are always a phone call away.

Our customer service is unmatched and we take pride in the fact that we build lasting relationships with everyone we talk to whether you are a client or not.

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DOT Problems? We've got you covered

Risk assessment

Our DOT compliance partner, Compliance Navigation Specialist, are available with trucking compliance advice and DOT Compliance Programs that keep your company on the right track by keeping your risk low and even your insurance rates even lower.

Risk mitigating services:

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Driver Training

Driver training and education is a very valuable resource to ensure a healthy fleet, and compliant safety practices. Our trainers can tailor our training to your specific operation.
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DOT Mock Audits

The CNS Specialists assist with all types of audits, including performing a Mock DOT Audit which analyzes your company and ensures you are prepared for a real audit when it happens.
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Driver File Management

Driver File Management is a service to manage your Driver Qualification Files (DQFs) and reduce your risk by establishing and keeping your driver files accurate, organized and diligent.
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DOT Compliance Programs

Our programs promote proactive safety, which means regularly maintaining the safety and compliance of your company, keeping you ahead of the FMCSA.
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Frequently Asked Questions

If your questions are not answered below, you can contact one of our Commercial Trucking Insurance Specialists and we are happy to help with anything you may need.

Intermodal trucking insurance is specialized coverage for motor carriers that haul containerized freight between ports, rail yards, and distribution facilities. It addresses risks unique to container, chassis, and multi-modal transportation that standard trucking insurance often excludes.

UIIA insurance refers to coverage required under the Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Access Agreement (UIIA). It standardizes insurance and liability requirements between intermodal trucking companies and equipment providers such as ocean carriers, railroads, and chassis leasing companies.

Ports and rail yards require UIIA compliance to ensure carriers can financially cover container damage, cargo loss, and liability claims. Without compliant insurance, a motor carrier will be denied gate access.

If your insurance does not meet UIIA requirements, you cannot enter ports or rail yards, even if you have freight scheduled. Non-compliance can result in lost loads, contract termination, and delays.

Intermodal insurance is needed by:

  • Drayage fleets
  • Container haulers
  • Port and rail-served carriers
  • Owner-operators hauling containers
  • Fleets that sign interchange agreements

Typical UIIA requirements include:

  • General Liability: $1M per occurrence (often with excess up to $5M)
  • Auto Liability: $1M CSL with excess up to $5M
  • Cargo Insurance: Up to $1M
  • Trailer Interchange: $20,000–$100,000+
  • Workers’ Compensation: If applicable

Trailer interchange coverage protects against physical damage to non-owned equipment, such as containers or chassis, while in your care, custody, and control under an interchange agreement. Trailer interchange coverage specifically addresses container and chassis damage, which is one of the most common and costly intermodal claims.

Common intermodal cargo includes:

  • Consumer packaged goods
  • Retail and e-commerce freight
  • Electronics and appliances
  • Industrial materials and components
  • Plastics and certain chemicals

Coverage limits depend on the motor truck cargo policy.

Yes. Owner-operators hauling containers under their own authority or signing interchange agreements must meet the same UIIA insurance requirements as larger fleets.

Premiums vary, but intermodal insurance often ranges from $8,000 to $12,500 per power unit annually, depending on fleet size, loss history, limits, and excess coverage.

Intermodal and flatbed fleets often carry significantly higher excess coverage due to elevated claim severity, port exposure, and contractual requirements from shippers and equipment providers.