Bobtail Insurance
Insurance coverage for operating a tractor without a trailer attached.
Definition
Bobtail insurance (also called non-trucking liability) covers a tractor when it is operated without a trailer, typically during personal use or when driving between loads. This coverage is separate from primary commercial auto insurance, which only covers the truck while under dispatch. Owner-operators leased to carriers should carry bobtail insurance for protection when not under the carrier's dispatch.
Why it matters to you
Bobtail insurance covers the tractor when it is running without a trailer, outside the carrier's liability policy which normally applies only while you are under dispatch. If you are leased on, check exactly when the carrier's coverage starts and stops, because the gap is real and it is the moment you are driving to pick up or heading home empty.
FAQ
What does Bobtail Insurance mean?
Insurance coverage for operating a tractor without a trailer attached.
Why does Bobtail Insurance matter to a driver?
Bobtail insurance covers the tractor when it is running without a trailer, outside the carrier's liability policy which normally applies only while you are under dispatch. If you are leased on, check exactly when the carrier's coverage starts and stops, because the gap is real and it is the moment you are driving to pick up or heading home empty.
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