Driving your tractor without a trailer — bobtailing — is when a gap opens in your coverage. Your motor carrier’s liability policy generally protects you under dispatch with a load; bobtail insurance protects you the rest of the time you’re trailer-free, for about the cost of a tank of fuel per month.
When Bobtail Coverage Kicks In
- Driving home after delivering a load and dropping the trailer
- Heading to the yard or shop with no trailer attached
- Driving to pick up your next load before hooking up
Who Needs It
Leased owner-operators are the main audience — most lease agreements require bobtail or non-trucking liability coverage (they’re related but not identical; we’ll match the one your lease actually requires). Owner-operators with their own authority usually don’t need standalone bobtail coverage because their primary liability follows the truck.
Typical Cost
Expect roughly $30–$60 per month for a $1,000,000 limit. It’s often bundled with physical damage and occupational accident coverage in a leased owner-operator package.
Start your quote or call 855-586-7467 — most owner-operators get numbers the same day.
Bobtail Insurance FAQs
What does bobtail insurance cover?
Bobtail insurance covers your tractor when you’re driving without a trailer attached — like heading home after a drop or driving to pick up your next load. It pays liability claims that happen while bobtailing, which your motor carrier’s policy typically excludes.
What’s the difference between bobtail and non-trucking liability?
Bobtail covers you whenever no trailer is attached, even under dispatch. Non-trucking liability covers you when you’re not under dispatch, trailer or not. Many leased owner-operators carry one or the other based on their lease agreement’s requirements — we’ll read yours and tell you which.
How much does bobtail insurance cost?
Bobtail coverage is one of the cheapest policies in trucking — typically $30 to $60 per month for $1M in liability limits. Lease agreements commonly require it before you can run.