Cargo Insurance for Washington Shipments

Washington separates common-carrier liability/property-damage filings from household-goods cargo insurance. A permitted household-goods carrier must carry $10,000 cargo coverage below 10,000 pounds GVWR or $20,000 at or above that threshold; compare those minima with the value of your move.

What Is Cargo and Transit Insurance?

Cargo coverage fits a shipper protecting goods it owns or a carrier responsible for another party’s goods. The quote needs to match who bears the loss, the shipment route and storage stops. Read the national Cargo and transit guide.

Washington Cargo and Transit Insurance Requirements

RequirementDetails
Common-carrier liability filingWAC 480-14-250 requires common carriers with authority to file liability and property-damage insurance; its limits vary by vehicle GVWR and hazard category. 1
Household-goods cargo filingWAC 480-15-550 sets $10,000 minimum cargo insurance below 10,000 pounds GVWR and $20,000 at or above 10,000 pounds for household goods carried under the permit. 2

What to Watch for With Cargo and Transit in Washington

  • The common-carrier filing is not the household-goods cargo limit

    WAC 480-14-250 addresses public liability/property damage; WAC 480-15-550 separately requires household-goods cargo coverage. Ask which rule and permit category applies to the shipment, and request cargo evidence rather than relying on Form E alone. 1,2

  • Washington’s household-goods cargo minimum may sit below your shipment value

    The state minimum is $10,000 below 10,000 pounds GVWR and $20,000 at or above that threshold. Compare it with the highest load value and ask how the policy handles multiple customers' goods on one vehicle. 2

  • Check filing continuity before a carrier’s policy renews or changes

    For common-carrier liability filings, WAC 480-14-250 requires continued proof at least 10 days before termination; a binder may last no longer than 60 days before Form E or G is filed. Ask the carrier to confirm current UTC proof, not just a policy quote. 1

Which Cargo and Transit Providers Have Washington License Records?

These providers publish a national listing for Cargo and transit; the license records below name the licensed entities and roles. Some records rely on company-reported information rather than independent regulator verification. A national listing does not confirm the product is available in Washington. Check the regulator’s license lookup and confirm state availability for your business when requesting a quote.

  • Corgi

    Insurance producer · checked 2026-09-28

    Corgi Insurance Services, Inc.

    Corgi’s company producer-license table lists 50 jurisdictions: 49 states and the District of Columbia, including DC license 3003091619. New Mexico does not appear in the table and is not included here; the omission does not establish that Corgi is unlicensed there. The company-reported table has no stated as-of date and does not establish product availability. 10

    Corgi lists a cargo contractual liability product in its transportation offering.

Who Regulates Insurance in Washington?

Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner

The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner administers Washington insurance laws, oversees insurers and insurance producers within its authority, and provides regulatory and consumer resources. You can use the department's complaint process to raise an insurance issue and its licensing resources to check insurance professionals. 3,4,5

Surplus-Lines Tax and Stamping Office in Washington

Reported tax rate. 2% of premium 6,7

The NAIC's state chart lists a 2% of premium charge for surplus-lines coverage for Washington (the chart's state entries were reviewed in October 2025). Your broker may collect the applicable amount with the premium. Surplus-lines insurers are not licensed in the state and generally are outside state guaranty-association protection; ask your broker to explain the insurer's financial protections and any diligent-search requirement that applies to your placement.

Questions to Ask Before You Buy Cargo and Transit in Washington

  1. Is the carrier operating under a common-carrier permit or a household-goods permit for this move?
  2. What GVWR threshold applies to each vehicle and what cargo limit is filed for the household goods?
  3. Does the UTC still have continuous liability and cargo proof after any renewal or insurer change?

Cargo and Transit Insurance in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions

What cargo limits does Washington require for household-goods carriers?

WAC 480-15-550 requires at least $10,000 below 10,000 pounds GVWR and $20,000 at or above 10,000 pounds for household goods under the permit. Compare those minima with your actual shipment value. 2

Does common-carrier liability insurance satisfy the cargo filing?

No. WAC 480-14-250 addresses liability and property damage, while WAC 480-15-550 separately requires household-goods cargo insurance. Request the filing that matches the goods and carrier permit. 1,2

Cargo and Transit Insurance Guides for Other States

Other coverage in WashingtonEvery coverage guide for Washington, plus the regulator and surplus-lines details.

Updated .

This guide is informational and does not determine whether a policy is available or meets your needs. Editorial policy. To suggest a correction, contact Spot with a supporting source.

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