Cargo Theft and Cybercrime: How to Protect Commercial Auto Fleets

• September 21, 2026

By Harish Kapur

Cargo theft losses rose 60% in 2025 to an estimated $725 million, according to Verisk CargoNet, with the average stolen shipment valued at nearly $274,000. As the risks grow, so do the opportunities for independent insurance agents to help commercial auto clients navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape.

Connected fleets give transportation companies the data they need to plan efficient routes and make just-in-time deliveries. But those same digital connections are being exploited by hackers who breach fleet systems, impersonate carriers and steal cargo valued in the millions.

As cybercriminals increasingly target weaknesses in the transportation ecosystem, fleet operators must recognize that digital threats can quickly translate into real-world losses.

Fleets carry high-value freight, making them prime targets for cybercriminals who use email spoofing to steal a commercial auto client’s identity and commit crimes such as double brokering and load fraud.

Each theft sets off a chain reaction of consequences that build on one another. The direct cost of the stolen goods is only the starting point, followed by disrupted delivery schedules, costly operational delays and a flurry of cargo claims, each layer making the damage harder to contain than the last.

The compounding continues well past the initial loss. Shippers routinely check a cargo company’s claims and safety history before booking freight, and a pattern of theft-related claims can flag that company as high-risk, even when the losses stem from identity theft it never caused.

Cargo transportation brokers increasingly screen for these same red flags, and once a client’s Department of Transportation (DOT) number is tied to fraud on a bill of lading, that flag can make it harder for a legitimate, uninvolved client to win loads going forward.

Frequent claims also push up cargo insurance premiums, and shippers who notice rising claims activity or premium increases may start treating that carrier as a greater underwriting risk, regardless of fault.

Agents who help commercial auto clients understand the complex risks of cargo theft and cybersecurity position themselves to win new business by following these four best practices:

1) Explain what’s covered and what’s not. Fraud-related losses from identity theft, double brokering or load fraud often fall outside standard cargo policies entirely. Coverage may instead require a specific endorsement, a crime policy or social engineering coverage rather than a cyber liability policy. Agents should walk clients through exactly where those gaps sit.

2) Recommend cyber best practices. Multifactor authentication (MFA) remains one of the most effective ways to stop unauthorized access to core systems. Agents should also steer carriers away from outdated password rules. Current National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidance favors long, unique passphrases over forced 90-day resets and complex character requirements. Frequent forced changes tend to push employees toward predictable variations instead of stronger security. Revoking system access the moment an employee leaves closes off an easy attack path.

3) Put electronic logging data (ELD) to work with artificial intelligence (AI). ELD already tracks drivers’ hours of service, but that same data can flag much more. ELDs capture the time, location and driver of any vehicle in real time and that data should be verified before a load is released. Since manually watching for route deviations doesn’t scale across large fleets, agents can suggest AI tools that flag anomalies automatically and alert staff the moment something looks off.

4) Partner with a specialty insurer. Specialty insurance covers risks that standard commercial policies aren’t built to handle, often through excess and surplus (E&S) lines. Agents entering the trucking space can benefit from a specialty carrier or managing general agent with underwriters who know the industry’s risks and can recommend tools for a stronger prevention culture.

As cargo theft expands and criminals grow more sophisticated, motor carriers need new strategies to safeguard their vehicles, drivers and cargo. Agents who take the time to understand the transportation industry and teach clients how to prevent all types of cybercrime will become invaluable partners in the fight against fraud.

Harish Kapur is the president and CEO of Across America Insurance Services, a specialized wholesale insurance brokerage serving the specific needs of the commercial trucking and transportation industry, including E&S service offerings.