Industries · Trucking and transportation

Insurance for owner-operators.

Non-trucking liability, physical damage, and occupational accident for owner-operators leased onto a carrier, plus primary liability, cargo, and filings when you run under your own authority.

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What owner-operators usually carry

Non-trucking liability
Physical damage, stated amount
Occupational accident
Primary auto liability, for your own authority
Motor truck cargo
Trailer interchange
General liability

Watch for these in an owner-operator policy

Off dispatch onlyNon-trucking liability covers the truck only when it is not working for anyone. Driving to pick up a load is usually business use, so it falls to the policy of the carrier you are leased to.
Stated amount is a ceilingPhysical damage written at a stated amount usually pays the lowest of that amount, the truck’s actual cash value, or the repair cost. Set it to what the truck is really worth.
Your leaseFederal leasing rules make the lease say who carries which coverage and what the carrier charges back to you for it. Read that part before you sign.
Occupational accident limitsOccupational accident is not workers’ comp. It pays set benefits up to caps, so check the medical limit and how long disability payments run.
Going to your own authorityThe day you run under your own authority, non-trucking liability no longer fits. Primary liability, cargo, and your federal filings need to be in place before the first load.

What motor carriers, brokers, and lenders ask owner-operators for

Non-trucking liabilityMost carriers require it before they lease you on, often at $1M, with the carrier named as additional insured.
Occupational accidentMany carriers require it for leased drivers who are not on workers’ comp.
Loss payee on physical damageYour lender is named on the truck’s physical damage and gets paid first on a total loss.
Limits under your own authorityBrokers usually want $1M auto liability and $100,000 cargo before they book you.

Questions owner-operators ask

Straight answers.

The questions we hear most, answered plainly.

What is the difference between bobtail and non-trucking liability?

People use the names loosely. Non-trucking liability covers the truck when it is not being used in business. Bobtail covers the tractor running without a trailer, which on some policies includes business use. Check which one your lease asks for.