Start with how the operation runs
Drayage combines congested terminals, unfamiliar chassis, container custody, appointment pressure, interchange agreements, port credentials, and repeated pickup and delivery activity.
Coverage areas to review
- Commercial auto liability and physical damage
- Motor truck cargo for containerized freight
- Trailer or chassis interchange protection based on agreements
- General liability, workers' compensation, and umbrella or excess
Information to prepare
- Ports, rail ramps, terminals, radius, and annual mileage
- Container, chassis, interchange, and equipment agreements
- Commodities, values, seals, custody, and theft controls
- Drivers, credentials, maintenance inspections, contracts, and loss history
Questions to answer before quoting
- Who supplies and inspects the chassis?
- When does custody of the container and cargo begin and end?
- Which interchange or terminal agreements allocate damage responsibility?
Frequently asked questions
Why are interchange agreements important?
They can assign responsibility for non-owned trailers or chassis and specify insurance, limits, reporting, and damage obligations.
Does short-haul drayage automatically mean low risk?
No. Terminal congestion, frequent stops, container values, chassis condition, theft, deadlines, and urban routes can create significant exposure.
Coverage, filings, eligibility, limits, deductibles, exclusions, and availability vary by authority, contract, operation, driver, equipment, jurisdiction, and insurance market. Actual policy and regulatory requirements control.