What is a bobtail policy?

Asked by: Golden Metz  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.1/5 (53 votes)

Bobtail insurance covers you and your semitruck when you're not hauling a trailer or other load. ... Bobtail insurance also applies when you drive home in your tractor after dropping off a load and the trailer. Bobtail insurance will not provide coverage if you're hauling any trailer, reefer or other load.

What does bobtail insurance mean?

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.

What all does bobtail insurance cover?

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.

What is the difference between bobtail and non Trucking?

Unlike bobtail insurance that only covers you if you do not have a load attached, non-trucking liability protects owner-operators from liability claims when the truck is not being used for business purposes, whether or not there is a trailer in tow.

Is bobtail insurance required?

Do I need Bobtail/Non-Trucking Liability Insurance? When you're under dispatch, the company that you haul for covers insurance. ... If the primary liability is in the name of you or your corporation, and you own the truck, then you would not be required to carry bobtail liability.

NTL vs Bobtail

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Is physical damage the same as bobtail insurance?

When bobtail covers any liability that may arise from the accident when your truck is without cargo, a physical damage policy covers all damages that your truck may have an encounter. In case of an accident, bobtail insurance doesn't cover damages sustained by your truck as it covers liabilities only.

What kind of insurance do I need for a semi truck?

If you're working under your own authority, you'll need to carry your own commercial truck insurance coverages, including: Liability - Pays for damages that you cause to other people and their property. It normally includes Bodily Injury Liability and Property Damage coverages.

What is the average cost of bobtail insurance?

So how much does bobtail insurance cost? Bobtail insurance cost is about $30 per month or $360 a year on average for up to $1 million dollar coverage limit.

Why is it called bobtail?

Pierpont refers to a "Bobtail" as the horsetail cut down to avoid entangling the tail in the horse-drawn sleigh. The term is also said to originate from the breed of cats that have short tails. A semi-truck without a trailer looks somewhat similar to these short-tailed cats.

What is a bobtail truck?

What is Bobtailing? A semi-truck is in “bobtail” mode when it does not have a trailer attached. Truck drivers often drive a bobtail truck when they are on their way to pick up their cargo at the beginning of a shift, or after dropping their cargo off at the end.

Does bobtail cover theft?

Fire and Theft with Combined Additional Coverage - provides protection like comprehensive insurance, except its coverage is limited to names non-collision incidents.

How does cargo insurance work?

Cargo insurance is the method used in protecting shipments from physical damage or theft. In fact, insuring cargo ensures that the value of goods are protected against potential losses which may occur during air, sea or land transportation.

What is trailer interchange coverage?

Trailer Interchange insurance provides Physical Damage insurance for trailers being pulled under a trailer interchange agreement. This is essentially Physical Damage insurance for non-owned trailers. This insurance protects you if the trailer is damaged by collision, fire, theft, explosion or vandalism.

What is stated amount in property insurance?

Under the Stated Amount Endorsement, the most your insurer will pay for a loss in any one accident is the least of the following: Actual cash value of the damaged property; Cost to repair or replace the damaged property; or. Limit of insurance (stated amount) in the endorsement.

What is drive other coverage?

If you need to borrow, test drive, rent, or lease a vehicle, Drive Other Car insurance will extend the coverages you've purchased for your commercial auto insurance policy - like Liability insurance, Physical Damage insurance, Medical Payments, and Uninsured Motorist Insurance, to a non-owned car.

What is physical damage insurance coverage?

Physical damage coverage is not an all-in-one car insurance. Typically, it only includes your collision insurance and comprehensive insurance policies. This means physical damage insurance can give you coverage for damages caused by fire and theft. So, if someone breaks into your car, it'll help pay for the repairs.

What does Bells on Bobtails mean?

This generally just means that the horse's tail is folded up and tied (like an old lady's bun - sort of) to make it look shorter and get it out of the way. If you put bells on a horse's bobbed tail, they will ring as the horse moves.

What is deadheading in trucking?

In trucking terminology, if a truck doesn't have a trailer attached, it's a deadhead truck. It means that the driver dropped off a load and is on their way to pick up another load. The concern is, though, when driving without cargo, drivers can lose money, as they still have to pay for fuel in between destinations.

Does bobtail go through weigh stations?

When you get near the scales, the signs tell you that states requirments (usually boils down to weight). If your bobtail weighs less that what's posted on the sign, you don't have to scale, unless the sign also says something like "all trucks must weigh". Your best bet would be to stop and scale, just in case.

Does a trucker need general liability?

A growing number of risk managers require for-hire truckers to have Trucking General Liability Insurance. It pays for injuries or property damage you cause as a result of business activities NOT directly related to operating your truck.

Do truckers need cargo insurance?

All commercial trucking companies need to buy insurance for the cargo they have loaded on their semis in case of unexpected loss or damage. ... The coverage needs to be tailored to your specific trucking operation by a trucking insurance expert since cost can vary considerably from situation to situation.

How much insurance does a trucking company have to have?

Contractual requirements

The FMCSA generally mandates a minimum liability limit of $750,000 CSL or $1,000,000 CSL for truckers who need a federal filing. This is much higher than most state minimum limits, meaning those drivers can expect to pay more.

What does NTL mean in insurance?

If you're under permanent lease to a motor carrier that provides your primary liability coverage, you could benefit from our Non-Trucking Liability (NTL) coverage while using your truck for a non-business purpose.

Is trailer interchange the same as non owned trailer?

The Basics

As you know, trailer interchange protects a non-owned trailer as long as both parties have signed a written trailer interchange agreement. The trailer(s) disclosed in the written agreement are covered as long as they're in your care or possession.

How much trailer interchange coverage do I need?

Trailer Interchange Limit Requirements

The average limit for trailer interchange coverage is between $20,000 and $30,000, with a deductible of $1,000.