Overview
When a refrigeration unit fails, a full load of produce, meat, dairy or pharmaceuticals can be lost in hours, and a standard cargo policy often won't pay for it. Reefer operators need cargo coverage written specifically for temperature-controlled freight.
We'll help you understand reefer breakdown endorsements, spoilage conditions and the maintenance records insurers expect, so a claim doesn't get denied on a technicality.
What It Covers
Reefer Breakdown
Spoilage from a sudden mechanical failure of the refrigeration unit.
Refrigerated Cargo
Cargo limits sized for high-value perishable loads.
Reefer Unit Physical Damage
Covers the refrigeration unit itself as part of trailer physical damage.
Liability & Physical Damage
The rest of your package: liability for others and coverage for your truck and trailer.
Who Needs It
- Produce, meat, poultry and seafood haulers
- Dairy and frozen food carriers
- Pharmaceutical and floral transport
- Owner-operators pulling reefer trailers
What Affects Your Price
- Commodities (meat and pharma price higher)
- Reefer unit age and maintenance history
- Cargo limit
- Breakdown deductible
- Loss history
Roy's tip: Keep your reefer maintenance logs and temperature download records. Insurers commonly ask for them after a spoilage claim, and missing records are a frequent reason claims get reduced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does standard cargo insurance cover spoilage?
Usually not unless the spoilage results from a covered peril like a collision. Spoilage from a refrigeration failure generally requires a reefer breakdown endorsement.
What's usually excluded from reefer breakdown?
Common exclusions include running out of fuel, improper temperature settings, failure to pre-cool, and breakdowns from lack of maintenance. Details vary by carrier.