Bobtail Insurance / Non-Trucking Liability Insurance
Non-Trucking Liability Insurance will pay for property damage or bodily injury in the event of an accident when the driver/truck is not under dispatch and on personal time. The coverage can apply with or without a trailer and is in the form of an endorsement on a commercial policy.
Bobtail Insurance is similar to non-trucking liability and provides coverage when operating a truck without a trailer is commonly known as “bobtailing.” Bobtail insurance covers the tractor anytime it is not attached to a trailer regardless of whether or not the truck is under dispatch.
Bobtail — a truck/tractor operating without a trailer or semitrailer. Sometimes the term “bobtailing” is used interchangeably with the term “deadheading,” when the trailer or semitrailer is still attached but is not being used to carry cargo.
Bobtail Liability — a term coined to apply to auto liability coverage for an owner/operator after a load has been delivered and while the truck is not being used for trucking purposes. This usually occurs when an owner/operator is operating his or her vehicle for mobility only (e.g., on the way home), and not in the course of transporting property for the motor carrier under whose operating authority they haul, and on whose liability policy they depend while they are engaged in trucking. The method of providing what is known as bobtail liability is a business auto policy (BAP) with the Truckers—Insurance for Non-Trucking Use endorsement (CA 23 09) attached.
If you are driving a huge truck, you will have to undertake many responsibilities to safeguard your personal and financial interests. Unlike a conventional vehicle like a car or a van, a truck is a different line of transportation where you need to take care of additional insurance and coverage liabilities by yourself.
As a trucker, you must understand the need and reasons when it comes to bobtail insurance vs. physical damage coverage requirements. Without prior knowledge of the bobtail insurance, and the physical damage coverage options, you will be putting yourself at risk by taking out your truck on the road.
Commercial auto insurance policies for trucks includes the bobtail insurance. If you are a new truck driver wondering when do you need bobtail insurance and why the answer is a relatively simple one, when the truck does not have a trailer attached to it, you will be eligible for the bobtail coverage plan for trucks.
So, the policy is for you if you meet either of the undermentioned criteria.
a) You are a truck driver, operating a truck that belongs to someone else and it does not have a trailer attached.
b) You want to protect yourself from legal actions, or expensive court settlements in case of accidents and collisions of your truck with other vehicles.
c) Your motor carrier policies include carrying the insurance.
Physical damage coverage is the comprehensive vehicle coverage plan that is similar to the insurance plans of other commercial vehicles. It will cover your truck for damages and losses that are the part of your policy. When you go for the physical damage plan, you sit with the policymaker and discuss all options for coverage that will safeguard your financial and safety interest as a trucker. The premium of your physical damage policy will depend on the number of covers you apply for in the plan. You have the option to go for multiple insurance plans at a time or select a method that meets your basic insurance requirements.
Bobtail insurance and non-trucking liability insurance coverages are both applicable in the state of Florida and are being offered in the following cities/towns: We offer the cheapest bobtail insurance and non-trucking liability insurance rates in the following cities and towns in Florida:
Boca Raton
Daytona Beach
Fort Lauderdale
Hollywood
Jacksonville
Miami
Miami Beach
North Miami Beach
Orlando
Palm Coast
Tallahassee
Tampa
Saint Johns
St. Petersburg
Hialeah
Port St. Lucie
Cape Coral
Pembroke Pines
Gainesville
Miramar
Coral Springs
Palm Bay
West Palm Beach
Clearwater
Brandon
Lehigh Acres
Spring Hill
Lakeland
Pompano Beach
Miami Gardens
Riverview
Davie
Sunrise
Deltona
Alafaya
Plantation
Deerfield Beach
Fort Myers
Town ‘n’ Country
Melbourne
Largo
Homestead
Boynton Beach
Kendall
Kissimmee
The Villages
Doral
North Port
Lauderhill
Tamarac
Poinciana
Weston
Delray Beach
Pine Hills
Wesley Chapel
Ocala
Port Orange
Wellington
Palm Harbor
Sanford
Jupiter
Port Charlotte
North Miami
Fountainebleau
The Hammocks
Palm Beach Gardens
St. Cloud
Margate
Horizon West
Coconut Creek
Westchester
Four Corners
Bradenton
Kendale Lakes
Apopka
Sarasota
Pensacola
Tamiami
Bonita Springs
Pinellas Park
University
Country Club
Coral Gables
Winter Haven
Titusville
Fort Pierce
Ocoee
Winter Garden
Altamonte Springs
Cutler Bay
University CDP
North Lauderdale
Oakland Park
Greenacres
Meadow Woods
Ormond Beach
Clermont
North Fort Myers
The Acreage
Hallandale Beach
Navarre
Aventura
Oviedo
Plant City
Princeton
Royal Palm Beach
Winter Springs
Lake Worth
Valrico
Riviera Beach
DeLand
Estero
South Miami Heights
Egypt Lake-Leto
Kendall West
Dunedin
Lauderdale Lakes
Land O’ Lakes
Richmond West
Parkland
Merritt Island
Cooper City
Carrollwood
West Little River
Panama City
Golden Glades
East Lake
Fruit Cove
Dania Beach
Lakeside
Oakleaf Plantation
Sun City Center
Lake Magdalene
Miami Lakes
Buenaventura Lakes
New Smyrna Beach
Ferry Pass
Winter Park
Fleming Island
Casselberry
Ruskin
Citrus Park
East Lake-Orient Park
Vero Beach South
Rockledge
Crestview
Leesburg
Palm Springs
South Bradenton
Bayonet Point
Temple Terrace
Haines City
University Park
Key West
Leisure City
Wright
Palm River-Clair Mel
Apollo Beach
Westchase
West Melbourne
Palm City
Bellview
Venice
Golden Gate
Keystone
Tarpon Springs
Oak Ridge
Sebastian
Ives Estates
Holiday
Silver Springs Shores
Pace
Fish Hawk
Immokalee
Palmetto Bay
Hunters Creek
Jacksonville Beach
Ensley
Lutz
Port St. John
Brent
Wekiwa Springs
The Crossings
Eustis
Coral Terrace
Edgewater
Hialeah Gardens
Northdale
Bloomingdale
Nocatee
Sunny Isles Beach
DeBary
World Golf Village
Palm Valley
Jasmine Estates
Florida Ridge
Lealman
West Pensacola
Fort Walton Beach
Englewood
Glenvar Heights
Bayshore Gardens
Ojus
Midway CDP
Maitland
Punta Gorda
Seminole
Sweetwater
Bartow
Naples
Cocoa
Tavares
Lake Butler
Lynn Haven
Gibsonton
San Carlos Park
Groveland
Pinecrest
Panama City Beach
Stuart
Pinewood
Myrtle Grove
Zephyrhills
Safety Harbor
Country Walk
Iona
Lake Mary
New Port Richey
Belle Glade
Viera West
Brownsville
Three Lakes
Opa-locka
West Lealman
Lake Wales
Vero Beach
Mount Dora
Southchase
Lady Lake
Sunset
Upper Grand Lagoon
Niceville
Marco Island
Wildwood
South Venice
Auburndale
Fruitville
Thonotosassa
Warrington
West Park
Longwood
Gladeview
Oldsmar
Key Biscayne
Forest City
Gonzalez
Elfers
Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace
St. Augustine
East Milton
Homosassa Springs
Yulee
Azalea Park
Lockhart
Destin
Miami Springs
Minneola
Cypress Lake
Conway
Atlantic Beach
Naranja
Palmetto Estates
Goldenrod
Palmetto
Hobe Sound
North Palm Beach
Florida City
Fernandina Beach
Callaway
Holly Hill
Hudson
Middleburg
Olympia Heights
South Daytona
Mango
Villas
Jensen Beach
Orange City
Jupiter Farms
Cheval
Sarasota Springs
Lakewood Park
Key Largo
Highland City
Lake City
Doctor Phillips
Lakeland Highlands
Laurel
South Miami
Trinity
Gulfport
Shady Hills
Viera East
Miami Shores
Lantana
Goulds
Wilton Manors
Westwood Lakes
Cocoa Beach
Satellite Beach
Sugarmill Woods
Progress Village
Celebration
Pine Castle
Pasadena Hills
Gulf Gate Estates
Pine Ridge
Asbury Lake
New Port Richey East
Medulla
Sebring
Fairview Shores
West Perrine
Alachua
Lighthouse Point
Fuller Heights
Union Park
Palatka
Port Salerno
Gateway
Citrus Springs
Milton
Cypress Gardens
Rotonda
West Vero Corridor
Cape Canaveral
Beverly Hills
Bee Ridge
Westview
Bardmoor
Bithlo
Green Cove Springs
Marathon
Avon Park
Pebble Creek
Micco
Wimauma
Citrus Hills
Hernando
Palm Beach
North Weeki Wachee
Orange Park
Lake Park
Davenport
Memphis
Indian Harbour Beach
Richmond Heights
Brooksville
St. Pete Beach
St. Augustine Shores
Westgate
Seffner
Fruitland Park
Beacon Square
Fern Park
North Bay Village
Odessa
Springfield
Wedgefield
Miramar Beach
McGregor
Quincy
Williamsburg
Broadview Park
Lely Resort
Southwest Ranches
Inverness
Longboat Key
Arcadia
Newberry
Mims
Clewiston
Ormond-by-the-Sea
Macclenny
Dade City
West Miami
Sky Lake
Neptune Beach
Lake Lorraine
Islamorada, Village of Islands
Belle Isle
Inwood
Fort Pierce North
Perry
Heathrow, Orlovista, and Willow Oak
St. Augustine Beach and South Apopka
Live Oak
Inverness Highlands South
Osprey
Pelican Bay
Mascotte
Treasure Island and Indian River Estates
Indiantown
Balm
River Park
South Patrick Shores
Kathleen
West Samoset
Sanibel
Lake Alfred
Ocean City
Gulf Breeze
Lecanto
Southeast Arcadia
Southgate
Pembroke Park
Marianna
High Springs
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Tequesta
South Gate Ridge
Cocoa West
Jan Phyl Village
Bay Harbor Islands
DeFuniak Springs
Combee Settlement
Orangetree
Freeport
Lochmoor Waterway Estates
Starke
Fort Myers Shores
Crystal Lake
Surfside
Fort Myers Beach
Nassau Village-Ratliff
Fussels Corner
Zephyrhills West
Pahokee
Gifford
Three Oaks
Siesta Key
Port LaBelle
Warm Mineral Springs
Loughman
Belleview
Rio Pinar
Sawgrass
South Pasadena
Connerton
Floral City
Okeechobee
Dundee
Fort Pierce South
Daytona Beach Shores
Timber Pines
Flagler Beach
South Sarasota
Naples Manor
River Ridge
Fort Meade
Naples Park
St. Augustine South
Ridge Wood Heights
Kenneth City
The Meadows
Plantation CDP
Palm Springs North
Bay Hill
South Highpoint
Hutchinson Island South
Zephyrhills South
Butler Beach
LaBelle
Wauchula
Samsula-Spruce Creek
South Bay
Tice and Crawfordville
Whiskey Creek
Fellsmere
Moon Lake
Valparaiso
Ridge Manor
Stock Island
Brookridge
Big Pine Key
Grant-Valkaria
Taylor Creek
Bagdad
Buckingham
Mount Plymouth
Wahneta
Lower Grand Lagoon
Laguna Beach
South Brooksville
Highland Beach
June Park
Belleair
West Bradenton
Indian River Shores
Samoset
Ellenton
Pine Manor
Cortez
Suncoast Estates
Holden Heights
Woodville
Alturas
Lake Panasoffkee
Parker
Mary Esther
Lake Sarasota
Mulberry
West DeLand
Madeira Beach
Vineyards
St. James City
High Point
Wallace
Juno Beach
Tierra Verde
Pea Ridge
Charlotte Harbor
White City
San Castle
South Beach
Kensington Park
Lely
Umatilla
Indian Rocks Beach
Chipley
Jasper
Feather Sound
Lake Clarke Shores
Flagler Estates
Midway
Oakland
North Brooksville
Watergate and North River Shores
Point Baker
Cleveland
Harbour Heights
Venice Gardens
Crystal River
Goulding
Ponce Inlet
Port St. Joe
Loxahatchee Groves
Montura
Tiger Point
Clarcona
Bunnell
Dover
Tangerine
Melbourne Beach
Nokomis
Cedar Grove
Winter Beach
Biscayne Park
Sharpes
Bay Pines
Bal Harbour
Port Richey
Bushnell
Windermere
Watertown
Holmes Beach and Indialantic
Eagle Lake
Eglin AFB
Dade City North
Whitfield
Williston
Hilliard
Ridgecrest
Chattahoochee
Malabar
Geneva
Madison
Pretty Bayou
Frostproof
Big Coppitt Key
Meadow Oaks and Lake Helen
Vamo
Island Walk
Bonifay
Zellwood
Roosevelt Gardens
Woodlawn Beach
Alva
Polk City and Verona Walk
Inverness Highlands North
Greenbriar
Hypoluxo
Edgewood
Charlotte Park
Zephyrhills North
Harbor Bluffs
De Leon Springs
Eastpoint
Campbell
Carrabelle
Williston Highlands
Monticello
Villano Beach
Seminole Manor
Tavernier
Chuluota
Grenelefe
Holley and Manatee Road
Cabana Colony
Tangelo Park
Hernando Beach
Harlem
Christmas
North Sarasota
Bowling Green
Virginia Gardens
St. Leo
Lake Placid
Eatonville
Apalachicola
Chiefland
Belleair Bluffs
Homosassa
Olga
Blountstown
Taft
Gotha
Hill ‘n Dale
Quail Ridge
Wabasso Beach
Pine Air
Haverhill
Redington Shores
Grove City
Heritage Pines
Glencoe
Graceville
Mangonia Park and Atlantis
Desoto Lakes
Silver Lake
Lake Belvedere Estates
Wewahitchka
Fort Denaud
East Bronson
Cudjoe Key
Trenton
Sewall’s Point
Hillsboro Beach
El Portal, Lake Butler city, and Oak Hill
Royal Palm Estates
Malone
Washington Park
Pine Island Center
Harlem Heights
Dunnellon
Bear Creek
Crooked Lake Park
Burnt Store Marina
Astatula
Bokeelia
Ocean Ridge
Lake Mary Jane
Astor
Havana
Zolfo Springs
Pine Ridge CDP
Century
Sneads
Cross City
Key Vista
Oriole Beach
Montverde
Crescent City
Howey-in-the-Hills
Belleair Beach
Wabasso
Punta Rassa
Roseland
East Palatka
Moore Haven
Pierson
Lake Hamilton
Callahan
Midway CDP
North DeLand
Buckhead Ridge
Yalaha
North Redington Beach
Hawthorne
Inglis
South Palm Beach
Plantation Mobile Home Park
Boulevard Gardens
Keystone Heights
Interlachen
Kenwood Estates
North Key Largo
Baldwin
Redington Beach
Gretna
Babson Park and Palm Beach Shores
Manasota Key
Limestone Creek
Patrick AFB
San Antonio
Molino
Crystal Springs
Hastings
Paradise Heights
Black Diamond
Palmona Park
Palm Shores
Black Hammock
Indian Shores
Juno Ridge
Fanning Springs
Bronson and Archer
Weeki Wachee Gardens
Lacoochee
Navarre Beach
Masaryktown
Five Points
Chumuckla
Medley and DeLand Southwest
Mayo
Lake Hart
Steinhatchee
Cypress Quarters
Franklin Park
Allentown
Homestead Base
Lake Mack-Forest Hills
St. George Island and Lake Kathryn
Rio and Paisley
Stacey Street
Anna Maria
Golden Beach
Gulf Stream
Bristol
Mexico Beach
Harold
Bradenton Beach
Westlake
Grand Ridge
Cottondale
Center Hill and Waldo
Sorrento
Crescent Beach
Andrews
Penney Farms
Pine Lakes
Gun Club Estates
Jupiter Island
Schall Circle
Key Colony Beach
Pomona Park
East Williston
Webster
Garden Grove
Pioneer
Jennings
Page Park
Greenville
White Springs
Shalimar
Panacea
Vernon
Duck Key
Avalon
Welaka
Branford
Cedar Key
Melbourne Village and Wiscon
Solana
Waverly
Micanopy
Coleman
Lemon Grove
Lawtey
Fort White
St. Lucie Village
Roeville
Matlacha
Yankeetown
Laurel Hill
Seville
Fisher Island
Paxton
Hosford
Ferndale
Bradley Junction
Sea Ranch Lakes
Greenwood
Brownsdale
Jay
Bell
Orchid
Lake Mystic
Ponce de Leon
Briny Breezes
Altha and Hillsboro Pines
Alford
Tildenville
Beverly Beach
Pineland
Spring Lake
McIntosh and Glen St. Mary
Greensboro
Garcon Point and Cinco Bayou
Reddick
Spring Ridge
Trilby
Hampton
Sopchoppy
Manalapan
Jupiter Inlet Colony
Acacia Villas
Worthington Springs
Lee
Wausau
Gardner
Wacissa
Raleigh
Everglades
Berrydale
Chokoloskee
Canal Point
Esto
Windsor
Munson
Mulat and Brooker
Aripeka
Floridatown
Captiva
La Crosse
Goodland and Whitfield CDP
Homeland
Ocean Breeze and Caryville
St. Marks
Westville
Waukeenah
Golf
Pine Level
Highland Park
Hillcrest Heights and Mount Carmel
Okahumpka
Ebro
Charleston Park and Yeehaw Junction
Nobleton
Lisbon
Pittman and Matlacha Isles-Matlacha Shores
Raiford
Jacob City and Glen Ridge
Layton
Noma
Ona
Dixonville
Campbellton
Fort Green Springs
Sumatra and Lloyd
Lamont
Springhill
Horseshoe Beach and Morriston
Dickerson City
Limestone
Tyndall AFB
Fidelis
Cloud Lake
Istachatta
Plantation Island
Otter Creek
Aucilla
Altoona
Lake Lindsey
Day
Bascom
Indian Creek
Fort Green and Cobbtown
Belleair Shore
Pine Island
Lake Harbor
Bayport
Lazy Lake
Bay Lake
Lake Buena Vista
Weeki Wachee
Marineland
How will the Bobtail Insurance Protect You?
The Bobtail policy is exclusive to liabilities. It gives you protection in case of a truck colliding with other vehicles, and the carriage is in someone else’s ownership. In this situation, it goes without saying that at the time of the accident the truck must not have a trailer attached to it.
You will get coverage if you are returning after the delivery of the load.
You get into an accident while you are going to pick the first load.
You get into an accident as you head to your home after the deliveries and are driving the truck.
In all the above scenarios it is important to remember that the policy will not cover and pay for the physical damages of the truck. It will cover other necessary expenses that include legal fees, medical costs, injury claims, and settlement issues.
The Bobtail Insurance Average Cost
Like many vehicles insurances, this type of insurance also checks for many factors that contribute to the average cost of the policy. When a truck driver asks for this insurance, the provider will check for details such as the driving history of the truck driver, any prior accidents on record, the limit requested by the driver, and how many instances will the truck be on the road without a trailer. A driver with no prior accident and a request for a reasonable limit will get the policy for lower rates. On the other hand, if the driver record is not clean, and there are many violations of traffic on his license, not only the price of insurance will go high, but the insurance company has the right to decline the request. On average, with every other requirement met, a truck driver can get the policy for $30 to $60 per month that will provide coverage up to $100,000.
Luckily with fierce online competition, it is not difficult to schedule your quotes online. When you shop for this insurance plan you will find some insurance companies that are exclusively offering this specialized trucking coverage, and you have an option to reach out to the insurance agent, or some sites have interactive features where you can schedule your bobtail insurance quote online as per your requirements.
Some trucking companies see bobtail insurance as a method to attempt to insulate themselves from lawsuits when owner-operators who are leased to them operate their trucks while on their own personal time. Or, put another way, not under dispatch.
When owner-operators leased to a carrier say we only want the required bobtail insurance, what we are asking for is something called “Non-Trucking Liability” (NTL) insurance. NTL is the only required part of any set of coverages that might be called “bobtail insurance.” NTL protects us for liabilities while we are driving our truck during personal time and not under the control of the trucking company we are leased to. If we cause damage to someone or someone’s property for which we are liable, this insurance is what pays those damages and claims. In other words, we’ve been in an accident while not under the control of the trucking company we are leased to and we’re at fault. (IMPORTANT: NTL is NOT, nor does it ever “act like” commercial general liability insurance.)
Another insurance coverage available for purchase with bobtail insurance is something called “Physical Damage” and/or “Comprehensive” and “Collision.” This is the insurance that gets our truck repaired when we’ve been in an accident in which we are at fault. Physical damage insurance is for any accident at any time, including when under the control of the trucking company we are leased to and when we’re on personal time not driving for the carrier we’re leased to. This is the only insurance coverage that will get your truck fixed when you are in an accident that you are at fault for. Physical damage is not required by law but is highly recommended for any truck owner to protect their investment. Personally, I would never purchase non-trucking liability and elect to not purchase physical damage.
How to Get the Best Policy?
Like any other policy, the main things to consider when looking for the bobtail insurance is to get at least three quotes and compare the prices and the features of the plan. While you want to save money, you will not want to align yourself with an insurance provider where you make a few dollars savings and let go of some critical insurance cover in the policy. Carefully go through the policy features, read the fine print and seek consultancy with the insurance agent for the matters where you want more information and details. Usually, you will get a no-obligation consultancy with the insurance providers so you should capitalize on that and get all the details from few insurance providers before you decide to purchase a plan.
You can get the coverage in a matter of minutes; however, it is in your interest to align yourself with a quality insurance provider. As a rule of thumb, stay away from agents who offer you cheap third party insurance options, or huge discounts that otherwise does not make any sense. You can find many reputable insurance agencies that will provide you with bobtail insurance at competitive rates. Always check for the insurance company details, such as the number of years they have in this business, the total insurance portfolio, and the claim settlements. A good insurance provider will gladly share all these details with you and give you the security and assurance you look for in an insurance plan. Remember that in case of an accident you should immediately reach out to the insurance company as soon as possible and document your case. If you delay such reports, it can impact your situation and reduce the settlements you may otherwise get for the liabilities.