Bobtail insurance is a type of insurance coverage that covers risks associated with operating trailer vehicles that aren’t fitted with a trailer. This type of policy applies if a motorist is involved in an accident that causes bodily harm and/or property damage.
For example, bobtail insurance helps if a person is involved in an accident when they are on their way to pick up a new load. It also helps when a person is in between dropping one load and picking up another, and when they are travelling home after their last drop-off.
In this blog post, we will highlight everything you need to know about bobtail insurance. This includes who needs this type of trucking insurance, what it covers, and how much it costs. Let’s get started.
Who Needs Bobtail Insurance?
There are a number of reasons why a person may require bobtail insurance. These include:
- Your motor carrier mandates it
- You drive your semi-truck without a trailer regularly
- You drive your semi-truck with an empty trailer regularly
- You don’t have the funds to cover damage and legal fees if involved in an accident
Note that non-trucking liability insurance is a better fit if you only drive a truck without a trailer (or an empty trailer) during personal trips.
What Does Bobtail Insurance Cover?
Bobtail insurance only covers liability. This means that it cannot be used to cover physical damage to a rig (this is typically covered by a person’s motor carrier). Instead, it covered injuries to other people and damage to other vehicles in accidents where it has been deemed that you were at fault.
As noted in the introduction, it covers times when a person is:
- On their way to pick up a load
- In between dropping one load off and collecting the next
- On their way home after their last drop-off
Generally, bobtail policies offer in the region of $1 million in coverage, though additional coverage can be added if a person chooses.
How Much Does Bobtail Insurance Cost?
The cost of this type of insurance depends on a host of factors. These include a person’s personal driving history, how often they bobtail, and the coverage limit they choose. Typically, drivers pay around $400 per year for this type of insurance coverage.
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Everything You Need to Know About Bobtail Insurance
The bottom line here is that if you ever operate a semi-truck without a trailer (or an empty trailer) on your motor carriers’ time, it is critical that you have adequate bobtail insurance. The above information highlights the importance of bobtail insurance and why you should not go without it.
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