What does non-trucking liability insurance cover

Non-trucking liability insurance, also known as bobtail or deadhead insurance, is a form of trucking liability coverage for independent owner-operators. It protects semi drivers when they are not under dispatch and their primary auto liability policy with the motor carrier is not in effect.

It can be a very affordable way to fill in the gaps of time when your commercial truck is not on the job. Let’s look at what it covers.

Personal Injury

If you’re involved in an accident while you’re driving your truck on personal business, your income and savings could be tied up in a long legal battle. With a non-trucking liability policy, you can protect yourself against the unforeseen expenses that may result.

Often mistaken for bobtail insurance, non-trucking liability is designed to protect leased owner-operators against liability claims that occur when they are driving their trucks without a trailer or while off the clock from their motor carrier. Non-trucking liability also applies when a driver is deadheading or is between assignments with their motor carrier.

Trucking accidents are costly, and even a fender bender can leave you liable for damages that extend well beyond your auto insurance limits. In addition, a lawsuit can cost thousands of dollars to resolve. Without a non-trucking liability policy, the cost of an accident can devastate your finances and even put you out of business. Getting the protection you need is as simple as finding an experienced trucking insurance agent.

Most trucking companies require their drivers to carry a non-trucking policy, or a “Bobtail” policy, when they’re off the job or between loads. However, the definition of “off the job” can be confusing to many drivers. Trucking insurance agents can help clarify the terms of your policy to ensure you’re covered at all times.

A non-trucking liability policy is essential for anyone who drives a truck for work, whether you’re an independent contractor or a trucker under contract to a motor carrier. It provides peace of mind to know that your truck is covered when you’re driving for personal business, between assignments or while waiting to pick up a new load.

If you’re a leased owner-operator who’s on a permanent lease to a motor carrier, your primary liability coverage is provided by the Motor Carrier. But what about when you’re on your own or helping a friend move? Your Truck Insurance Broker can design a policy that allows you to drive off the lot with Primary Liability, then drop it down to Non-Trucking Use as you make your way between contracts.

Property Damage

If you get into an accident while driving your truck for non-work-related purposes, property damage insurance pays to repair or replace the other party’s vehicle. Sometimes, this coverage is also known as bobtail insurance, but it’s important to note that the two types of policies are not the same. Non-trucking liability doesn’t care whether or not you have a trailer attached; it only applies when you aren’t under dispatch and using the truck for personal reasons.

For example, if you are a leased owner-operator and have to drive your truck home after dropping off a load or delivering a load and you cause an accident with another driver while doing so, your motor carrier may not provide any protection under their policy since the trip was on behalf of their business. However, if you have non-trucking use coverage, this may cover the accident.

Many people mistakenly believe that if you are under a lease with a motor carrier, the motor carrier’s insurance policy will cover any accidents that happen while you’re working. But this isn’t always the case, and it can leave you with a gap in coverage that could lead to expensive lawsuits or bankruptcy. Non-trucking liability fills this gap, providing a necessary and affordable option for owner-operators who lease their equipment to motor carriers.

Trucking companies often require their drivers to maintain non-trucking liability or bobtail insurance. This type of policy is designed to fill in the gap created when a trucker drives between loads without having their trailer in tow, or while deadheading. It can also apply when a trucker is between assignments from different motor carriers, or when they are delivering their own goods to clients.

It’s easy to see why some people think that non-trucking insurance and bobtail insurance are the same, but they aren’t. They both apply to a situation where a trucker is driving their rig for non-work-related reasons, but non-trucking liability doesn’t care whether the tractor has a trailer attached or not; it only applies when the trucker isn’t under dispatch and driving for work.

Bodily Injury to Others

Bodily injury liability insurance helps pay for the medical care of others who are injured in an accident you cause. This includes emergency care, hospital charges, follow-up visits and the cost of any needed medical equipment. It may also cover lost wages if the victim is unable to work due to their injuries. Additionally, bodily injury coverage can help pay for funeral costs if an accident causes a fatality.

Non-Trucking Liability is a form of trucker insurance that covers your tractor without a trailer while you’re using it for personal business and non-work reasons. This is important because most motor carriers only provide liability insurance for their leased operators when they’re on a dispatch and hauling cargo on their behalf.

The responsibilities of being a truck driver are heavy enough without worrying about the financial consequences of an accident that occurs while you’re off the clock and driving your own vehicle. If you don’t have a policy that covers these off-duty times, you could be responsible for hefty expenses like legal fees, property damage, and medical bills.

Most lease agreements require owner-operators to get their own non-trucking liability policies. They can be purchased individually or bundled with physical damage coverage as part of a commercial auto package.

When Does Non-Trucking Liability Insurance Kick In?

Many people misunderstand what non-trucking liability (NTL) is. They think it refers to when the truck is not under dispatch, but it actually means any time the truck is not attached to a trailer.

For owner-operators who are permanently leased on to a motor carrier, this is important because they only need a motor carrier’s commercial insurance when they’re dispatched, en route to a load pick-up or delivery and back at their point of origin.

For the rest of the time, they need their own supplemental policy. This is why many owner-operators bundle non-trucking liability with their physical damage policy to save money and ensure all their responsibilities are covered. This also allows them to take their rigs out for family trips or errands with peace of mind that they have the financial protection they need.

Coverage Limits

If you are in an accident while driving your truck off the clock, and cause bodily injury or property damage to others, your motor carrier’s primary liability policy will not pay for damages incurred as they do not consider this to be a business purpose of your driving. Non-trucking liability insurance will protect you in these cases. Non-trucking coverage is usually available in policy limits of $1 million, $2 million or $3 million. Choose the limit that is right for you, and make sure that it will be enough to cover any potential losses.

If your vehicle is damaged by a covered peril, you can file a claim with the insurance company and get reimbursed up to your chosen limit. It is a good idea to carry this type of insurance on your truck at all times, as you never know when you will need it. Many insurance agents can help you find a policy that is right for your budget and needs.

There are some situations that you may need to drive your truck off the clock for personal reasons, such as running errands, taking a friend to dinner or visiting relatives. This is a time when you would not be protected by your motor carriers primary liability policy. Non-trucking insurance fills in the gap in coverage during these moments. It also covers driving your truck without a trailer attached, a situation known as bobtailing.

The type of truck you own, your driving history and the age of your rig are all factors that can influence how much you will pay for non-trucking liability insurance. This is why it is important to compare multiple policies from different insurers before choosing a policy. Often, you can find a more affordable policy by bundling your non-trucking policy with a bobtail and basic commercial auto insurance policy.

Owner-operators that lease onto a motor carrier typically need trucking insurance to cover them while they are on dispatch. However, they may not have a need to operate their own rig while they are off the clock. That is why a non-trucking liability policy is so important for them. It is also a smart addition for any professional driver who owns their own truck.