Short answer
Amazon Relay requires $1,000,000 auto liability per occurrence, $100,000 cargo, and general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate. Semi operators need $50,000 trailer interchange. A lapse blocks booking until coverage is reinstated.
Insurance is Non-Negotiable
Amazon will not approve your Relay account without proof of insurance. You must provide certificates of insurance (ACORD forms) showing that you meet their minimum limits in all four categories. Your insurance broker or agent can issue these forms.
Insurance costs vary widely based on your carrier's safety record, years in business, equipment type and location. Do not assume you have enough coverage just because you have an existing policy. Review your policies now and upgrade if needed before you apply.
Required Coverages and Limits
| Coverage Type | Minimum Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial General Liability | $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate | Covers bodily injury, property damage, personal injury from your operations. The "aggregate" is your total liability across all incidents in a policy year. |
| Auto Liability | $1,000,000 per occurrence | Covers vehicle accidents, third-party injury and property damage. Includes $50,000 trailer replacement (trailer interchange) coverage. |
| Cargo Insurance | At least $100,000 | Covers loss or damage to freight in your trailer or truck while in your care. This protects Amazon's goods during transport. |
| Workers' Compensation | In "all jurisdictions where your company operates" (Relay FAQ) | Covers employee injury or illness from work. Amazon's pages word this two ways; see our workers' comp guide. |
| Employer's Liability | $100,000 per occurrence | Part of Workers' Compensation coverage; covers third-party claims related to employee injury. |
Commercial General Liability: $1,000,000 / $2,000,000
This is your baseline liability protection. It covers bodily injury (someone is hurt because of your operations), property damage (you damage someone's building or equipment), and personal injury (defamation, wrongful eviction, etc.).
Per Occurrence means Amazon is covered for up to $1,000,000 on any single incident: a serious accident, a cargo spill, a load that causes property damage.
Aggregate means across all incidents in a 12-month policy period, your total liability coverage is $2,000,000. Once you hit that cap, you're self-insured for additional claims until your policy renews.
For a carrier, this is foundational. If you cause a multi-vehicle accident, the other parties' medical bills, vehicle repairs and lost wages can easily exceed $1,000,000. Without this limit, you're liable for everything out of pocket.
Auto Liability: $1,000,000 with $50,000 Trailer Interchange
Auto Liability specifically covers vehicle accidents and third-party claims related to your truck or trailer.
The $50,000 trailer interchange coverage is a specific requirement. This covers damage to trailers you're pulling that don't belong to you. If you're pulling a trailer you don't own and you damage it (backing into a dock, overturning on a curve), trailer interchange coverage pays for repairs up to your policy limit. Amazon requires at least $50,000 for semi operators because the majority of Relay loads are power only: you bring the tractor and pull an Amazon-owned trailer.
If your current auto policy doesn't explicitly list "$50,000 trailer interchange," contact your broker and ask them to add it.
Cargo Insurance: At Least $100,000
Cargo coverage protects Amazon's freight while it's in your truck or trailer. If cargo is damaged, lost, stolen or contaminated during transport, cargo insurance covers it up to your limit.
$100,000 is Amazon's minimum. This covers most single loads. However, if you're hauling especially high-value freight (electronics, machinery, pharmaceuticals), confirm that a $100,000 limit is sufficient. You can purchase higher limits if needed ($250,000, $500,000 or $1,000,000) at higher premiums.
Cargo claims can happen:
- Load shifts during transit and is damaged.
- Trailer is involved in an accident; goods are destroyed.
- Cargo is stolen from an unsecured truck.
- Refrigerated goods spoil if your reefer unit fails.
Without cargo coverage, you pay the shipper (Amazon, in most Relay cases) out of pocket.
Workers' Compensation and Employer's Liability
Amazon's Relay FAQ asks for workers' compensation "in all jurisdictions where your company operates" and employer's liability of at least $100,000 per occurrence. Its insurance post says "Companies with W-2 employees" need it. Amazon doesn't say how it treats a company with no W-2 employees.
State rules differ too. What Amazon and two states say, and how to ask Amazon, is in our Amazon Relay workers' comp guide.
What Goes on Your Certificate
Your certificate of insurance (ACORD form) needs to show every required coverage and limit. Ask your broker to match the certificate to the requirements listed in your Relay account, and check relay.amazon.com if you're unsure how Amazon wants it worded.
How to Get the Right Insurance
Step 1: Gather Your Current Policies Pull out your auto and liability policies and review the limits. Write down what you currently carry.
Step 2: Compare to Amazon's Minimums Check if your current coverage meets Amazon's thresholds:
- General Liability: $1M/$2M?
- Auto Liability: $1M with $50K trailer interchange?
- Cargo: $100K minimum?
- Workers' Comp: Compliant with your state?
Step 3: Contact Your Broker If you're short on any limit, call your insurance broker or agent. Tell them you need to meet Amazon Relay's minimums. They'll:
- Quote higher limits if needed.
- Add trailer interchange coverage to your auto policy.
- Issue an ACORD certificate listing the correct limits.
Step 4: Upload to Your Relay Account Once you have certificates showing all four coverages at Amazon's minimums, upload them during your Amazon Relay sign-up.
Insurance Cost Considerations
Insurance premiums depend on several factors:
- Your carrier's safety record and claims history.
- Years in business and driver experience.
- Equipment type (box truck vs. tractor-trailer).
- Geographic territory and annual mileage.
- Your state's workers' compensation classification.
There is no standard "Amazon Relay insurance" price. Two carriers with the same trucks can pay vastly different premiums based on their track record. A new carrier with no history will pay more than an established carrier with a clean record.
Do not call Amazon for premium quotes or rate recommendations. Contact a commercial truck insurance broker who works with owner-operators. Many specialize in this market and can find competitive rates.
What Happens After You're Approved
Once you're approved, keep coverage current. Amazon says that if your coverage lapses, your company can't book or haul Relay loads until it's reinstated. Renew two to three weeks before your policy expires so RMIS can update your records, and add the updated details in the Insurance tab of your Relay account at least 5 days before the policy expires.
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