Bobtail Insurance
Big rig drivers, especially owner-operators, know that the all-to-often dreaded words ‘bobtailing’ and ‘dead-heading” means headed somewhere with no trailer (and too often) no pay for those miles. However, regardless if you are an independent or leased on with a company, you may be required to carry special Bobtail Truck insurance.
Here’s what owner-operators need to know:
- Regardless of whether or not you are under dispatch, it provides liability coverage when driving without the trailer
- Provides coverage when bobtailing to and from the terminal
- Provides coverage when you deadhead between loads
Shopping for bobtail insurance is daunting; it’s a specialized insurance product and most agents don’t write it. Our expert insurance agents at J.E.B Insurance can help you find the cheapest bobtail insurance in no time. Plus, they will find you the payment terms that fit your budget.
Why You Need Bobtail Insurance
Basically, if you bobtail or deadhead AND are leased to a motor carrier, you need bobtail insurance.
Most often, owner-operators under a lease are covered by the motor carrier’s primary liability insurance when hauling a load. But when you are driving without a load, that’s when bobtail truck insurance takes over. Think of it as a stop-gap policy – it kicks in when the primary drops off.
If you are under a motor carrier lease agreement, sometimes bobtail truck insurance is included in the lease agreement. Review your lease agreement to see which forms of insurance you already have and which ones you’re obligated to carry.
Here’s a perfect scenario: On your day off and not under dispatch, you decide to take your truck to be serviced 15 miles away. On the way, a deer jumps out ahead of you, smashes your grill, you over-correct and hit a guard rail and telephone pole. Just think about all the costs involved! The good news is that with bobtail insurance, they replace the pole and any other damage (guard rail, etc.). The damage to your truck is covered under the Physical Damageportion of your primary commercial truck insurance policy.
If You Have Your Own Authority
If you have your own authority, there’s a good chance your primary liability policy already covers you when deadheading somewhere. You may not need bobtail coverage. The professionals at J.E.B Insurance will ask all the right questions to make sure you have proper coverages.
What’s Included in a Typical Bobtail Truck Insurance Policy?
A basic bobtail insurance policy usually covers:
- Liability insurance
- Uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage
Finding the most affordable coverage
Every truck driver operating in the US is required to carry some form of primary truck liability insurance. Finding the best bobtail insurance at the lowest price can be a challenge. Why not let the professionals at J.E.B Insurance do the legworkfor you and put together a comprehensive policy package?
Limits of liability
The Federal Motor Carrier regulations require:
- $300,000 if under 10,000 lbs*
- $750,000 if over 10,000 lbs; the Federal Government requires $750,000*
- The majority of shippers require $1,000,000 limit in order to contract with them
*Household good, movers, auto haulers, and Hazmat haulers require higher limits
Bodily Injury Liability Insurance
Property Damage Liability coverage and Bodily Injury Liabilityinsurance are always combined in a commercial auto insurance policy.
In the event you cause an accident where other people are injured, your Bodily Injury Liabilityinsurance will pay the amounts you would otherwise be legally responsible for, including:
- Medical bills
- Hospital bills
- Long-term care
- Lost earnings
- Rehabilitation
- Suffering and Pain
- Funeral expenses
- Other damages
Your Bodily Injury/Liability Insurancecoverage pays for these expenses; additionally, it pays for your legal defense in the event you are sued. Bodily Injury Liability insuranceis required by law. Certain filings require owner-operators to carry Bodily Injury Liability.
Other Coverages
There are many other coverages that you can include in your Commercial Vehicle Package. Talk to an agent of J.E.B.Insuranceand ask them about:
- Workers Compensation Insurance
- Business Owners Policy (BOP)
- General liability insurance for contractors
- Excess Liability
- Medical Payment Insurance
- Non-Owned Trailer Liability Coverage
- Hired Auto Liability
- Non-Trucking Liability Insurance
- Personal Injury Protection
J.E.B Insurance also offers a wide variety of payment options and insurance in 9 states. Get a quote online or call us today to speak to one of our expert insurance representatives who can help. We insure commercial trucks in Texas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Iowa, Illinois & Nebraska.
