Drivers who are under a permanent lease to a motor carrier that offers primary liability coverage can benefit from non trucking liability insurance. Non-trucking liability coverage kicks in when you use your truck for non-business purposes. Any personal use of your truck before, after, or between jobs will be covered under this non-trucking coverage. This is not to be confused with unladen insurance, which is used when a trucker is operating their vehicle with either an empty trailer or without a trailer, either on dispatch or not.

Many motor carriers require some kind of non trucking liability policy in the lease agreement. This coverage helps fill in any coverage gaps while the truck is in use. General commercial truck liability insurance covers times when the truck is being used for business purposes, so any other use of the vehicle needs additional insurance like non trucking liability and physical damage insurance.

Non-Trucking Liability Insurance vs. Bobtailing Insurance

A Non Trucking insurance policy is not the same as bobtail coverage, even if these two terms are closely related. These two types of coverage are similar, but they come into play in different ways.

Bobtail insurance is when you drive a truck without the trailer attached to it. A truck that drops off a trailer full of cargo may have to drive to another location to pick up a new load. The drive-in between these two locations is known as bobtailing. If there is an accident resulting in physical damage or injury during this bobtailing time, your commercial trucking liability insurance won’t help. Bobtail insurance covers the truck’s journey when owner-operators are driving without their trailer.

A Non-trucking liability insurance is completely different than bobtail insurance. Non-truck liability coverage covers instances when a driver causes damage to a third party while they are driving their vehicle for non-business or personal use, whether the trailer is attached or not. Non trucking liability does not cover your vehicle while you’re hauling cargo for business purposes like getting to/from the terminal, driving with an empty trailer, and washing your big rig, or running a delivery route.

Large trucking companies who use leased drivers typically need bobtail insurance, as they often need to drive their trucks from one location to another without the trailer. Non trucking liability insurance is crucial for leased operators.

What is Unladen Liability Insurance?

Another possible trucking liability scenario that truckers may have to deal with is called driving unladen. Unladen liability insurance meaning refers to the coverage for instances when a trucker is operating their vehicle with either an empty trailer, known as deadheading, or without a trailer, either on dispatch or not.

People often interchange unladen liability with bobtail coverage. It’s also easy to confuse these terms with dispatch non trucking liability. Unladen coverage has a broader scope than bobtailing as it also includes coverage for deadheading. Non trucking liability coverage only applies to when the truck is being used outside of dispatch.

Physical Damage Coverage

Owner-operators who are on lease to a motor carrier should also consider physical damage coverage. Often times, your motor carrier will provide primary liability trucking insurance, but may not include a physical damage policy.

Physical damage insurance covers a variety of things that can happen to your vehicle if it’s involved in an accident if it collides with another object or overturns/rolls. Check with your motor carrier to determine if you are covered in instances of physical damage or if you need your own policy.

The Non-Trucking Liability Coverage

When exploring options for additional insurance, make sure you have a copy of your motor carrier’s insurance policy and your lease agreement. These documents will help identify what kinds of insurance plans you may need to obtain to be fully protected.

To better understand your needs, make a list of every possible scenario that could occur while driving your semi-truck. By doing this, you can explore how you use your tractor-trailer and what kinds of gaps may exist under your company’s policy.

If you anticipate ever driving your truck for personal use, without a trailer, or with an empty trailer, it’s worth exploring your options for the right kind of coverage.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What coverages are included in non-trucking liability insurance?

Non-trucking liability insurance primarily provides coverage for property damage and bodily injuries that you may cause to others while using your truck for non-business related activities. This could include anything from minor collisions to severe accidents. However, it is important to check with your agent about any restrictions or exceptions to your policy, as each insurance company may have different coverages.

Does non-trucking liability insurance apply in all states?

Yes, non-trucking liability insurance is generally applicable across all states, provided the truck is being used for non-business purposes during the time of the incident. However, the specific laws and requirements can vary from state to state. At “Strong Tie Insurance”, our knowledgeable agents can help answer any state-specific questions you may have.

What does non-trucking liability insurance not cover?

While non-trucking liability insurance covers many non-business related activities, there are some exceptions. It does not cover injuries to the trucker, theft of personal property from the truck, damage to the truck itself, or any incidents occurring while the truck is being used for business purposes, such as hauling a load. These coverages would need to be addressed with other insurance products.

How does non-trucking liability insurance differ from motorist coverage?

While both non-trucking liability insurance and motorist coverage provide protection on the road, they are applicable in different scenarios. Non-trucking liability insurance protects the trucker when the vehicle is being used for non-business purposes, while motorist coverage offers protection against uninsured or underinsured motorists, regardless of whether you’re on the job or off.

Can the coverage amount for non-trucking liability insurance be adjusted?

Yes, the amount of coverage for non-trucking liability insurance can usually be adjusted to meet your needs. Most insurance policies have limits on the maximum amount of coverage, but these can often be increased for additional protection. It’s essential to discuss your specific needs with your agent to ensure you have the right coverage for any potential risks or expenses you might face.

Looking for additional ways to shield your business? Our recent blog post on Excess Liability Insurance in California could offer the extra layer of protection you need. Dive in to understand how it complements your Non-Trucking Liability coverage and reinforces your business safety net today!