Start with how the operation runs
An owner-operator's needs depend on authority status, lease language, dispatch, vehicle ownership, cargo, radius, and which protection the motor carrier provides.
Coverage areas to review
- Primary auto liability when operating under your own authority
- Physical damage for the tractor and permanently attached equipment
- Motor truck cargo when contractually required or operationally appropriate
- Non-trucking liability, occupational accident, or other protection when leased to a carrier
Information to prepare
- Authority and DOT information
- Lease agreement and motor-carrier insurance requirements
- Truck, trailer, driver, cargo, and radius details
- Loss runs and driving history when available
Questions to answer before quoting
- Are you operating under your own authority or another carrier's authority?
- What coverage does the lease provide, and what remains your responsibility?
- When is the truck under dispatch, bobtailing, or used personally?
Frequently asked questions
Does a motor carrier's policy cover everything an owner-operator needs?
Not necessarily. The lease and actual policy determine what the carrier provides. Physical damage, non-trucking liability, occupational accident, cargo, or other protection may remain the owner-operator's responsibility.
Is bobtail the same as non-trucking liability?
The terms are often used loosely, but policy definitions and covered use can differ. Review the actual form, dispatch status, and lease requirements.
Coverage, filings, eligibility, limits, deductibles, exclusions, and availability vary by authority, contract, operation, driver, equipment, jurisdiction, and insurance market. Actual policy and regulatory requirements control.