If you’re a trucker or a fleet owner, you’re no stranger to risk, and few risks are as misunderstood as those that happen when you’re driving without a trailer. It might seem like you’re off the job, but you’re still exposed to liability every mile you travel. That’s where bobtail insurance comes in. Whether you’re between loads or heading home after a drop-off, bobtail coverage fills in the gaps your primary liability policy leaves behind.
According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), over 5,904 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes. This figure represents an 18 percent increase from the previous year. Driving without a trailer may feel lighter, but the risks are real. And in many cases, bobtail insurance isn’t just smart; motor carriers contractually require it or are legally mandated, depending on your state.
In this guide, we’ll break down what bobtail insurance is, what it covers, how much it costs in 2025, when you need it, how it differs from non-trucking liability, and which companies offer the best coverage options. We’ll also include real-life insights from seasoned truckers so you can make a smart, informed choice.
Key Takeaways
- Bobtail insurance covers trucking liability when driving without a trailer, either on personal time or between hauls, not while under dispatch.
- It’s not the same as non-trucking liability (NTL); NTL covers more personal use scenarios and may have stricter limitations.
- Most policies cost $30–$60/month, depending on driving history, operating radius, and whether you’re an owner-operator or leased to a carrier.
- Owner-operators leased to a motor carrier are often required to carry bobtail insurance by contract, even if the motor carrier provides primary liability.
- You’ll need to read the fine print: some policies exclude coverage under certain dispatch or trailer-attached scenarios.
- Top providers for 2025 include Progressive, State Farm, Sentry, biBERK, and CoverWallet.
What Is Bobtail Insurance?
Bobtail insurance is a type of commercial truck liability insurance that covers you when you’re driving your rig without a trailer. It applies when you’re operating under someone else’s authority but you’re not actively hauling a load, like when you’re returning from a delivery or driving to pick up your next trailer.
ℹ️ Did You Know?
Commonly, bobtail insurance only applies to freighter trucks. However, we’ve also seen some customers enjoying this policy’s coverage on their box trucks.
So, let’s make this simple: bobtail = no trailer. This is different from deadhead (which refers to an empty trailer) and completely different from trucking liability coverage (which protects you while hauling freight under dispatch).
You might assume your employer’s policy covers you in these situations, but that’s not always the case. Many lease agreements specifically require the driver to carry bobtail coverage separately. Some companies will provide this as part of their insurance package, but more often, you’re responsible for it.
What Does Bobtail Insurance Cover?
Bobtail insurance covers liability for bodily injury and property damage that occurs when you’re driving without a trailer for non-dispatch purposes. For example, if you’re heading home from a drop-off and cause an accident, bobtail coverage would pay for the other party’s injuries and property damage, not yours.
Keep in mind, bobtail insurance does not cover:
- Damage to your own truck (you’ll need physical damage coverage for that)
- Cargo-related incidents
- Accidents while the truck is under dispatch (that’s what your primary trucking liability policy is for)
It’s a narrow but critical window of protection that keeps you covered when traditional policies don’t apply.
Bobtail Insurance Cost: What You Can Expect to Pay
On average, bobtail insurance costs between $30 and $60 per month, or $360 to $720 annually, for a $1 million liability limit in 2025. Your actual premium will depend on factors like:
- Driving history and CDL experience
- Age and condition of your vehicle
- How often do you drive without a trailer
- Where you operate (state regulations and risk vary)
- Claims history and insurance score
For drivers with clean records and well-maintained rigs, you could see your bobtail insurance rates closer to $25–$35/month. But for new authorities or drivers with recent violations, some Redditors report bobtail insurance cost of $80/month or more, especially when adding bobtail to a larger package with physical damage and cargo coverage.
Comparing quotes might help you save money for premiums, too, and find the cheapest bobtail insurance and best bobtail insurance coverage. This way, you can find the bobtail insurance policy that fits the characteristics of your business, so that you don’t spend money on something that provides too much or too little coverage.
Bobtail vs. Non-Trucking Liability (NTL): What’s the Difference?
Bobtail insurance and non-trucking liability are often confused, but they are not the same.
Bobtail insurance applies when you’re driving without a trailer in a business context. For example, when you’re returning from a delivery.
Non-trucking liability insurance (NTL) kicks in when you’re using your truck for personal reasons, like running errands or going to the grocery store.
Neither policy covers you while under dispatch, and neither includes damage to your own truck. That’s where you’ll need physical damage coverage, which protects your vehicle from collision, fire, theft, vandalism, and more.
Since non-trucking liability insurance doesn’t cover damages when the truck is used for business purposes, companies don’t offer this to their drivers. And so, if you’re a driver, you will have to avail of this insurance on your own accord.
Non-Trucking Liability Insurance Cost
Here’s a table that shows the different costs of non-trucking liability insurance according to numerous websites:
| Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|
| $39 | $468 |
| $50 | $600 |
| $60 | $720 |
| $100 | $1,200 |
| $110 | $1,320 |
Click ‘Get Quote’ on this page to get non-trucking liability insurance quotes and cheap bobtail insurance quotes that will best fit your commercial needs from top business insurers and have your back (and tail) covered from unexpected expenses!
Real-World Advice: How Truckers Save on Bobtail Coverage
Reddit is full of shared experiences from drivers who’ve been there, done that. One owner-operator shared that his bobtail coverage through a major insurer ran around $38/month, but when he bundled it with comp and collision, his full monthly premium dropped by 12%. Another driver reported saving over $1,000 a year just by switching carriers and raising his deductible.
Several drivers also warn against simply going with the first quote. “Shop around every year,” one advised. “Even a clean record doesn’t mean you’ll get the best rate unless you look.”
How to Save on Bobtail Insurance
Compare Quotes from Multiple Providers
The best way to cut costs is by comparing quotes from several insurance companies. Look for the same liability limits and deductibles across policies to ensure an apples-to-apples comparison. Use a quote comparison tool or independent broker that works with carriers like Progressive, GEICO, and OOIDA.
Bundle Policies for Discounts
Bundling bobtail with other coverages, such as primary liability, physical damage, or motor truck cargo, can often reduce your total premium. Some carriers even offer bundling discounts of up to 15%.
Keep a Clean Record
Insurers reward safe drivers. If your driving record is free of violations, tickets, and claims, you’re in the best position to secure low rates. Adding dash cams or telematics systems can also help prove you’re a low-risk operator.
Bobtail and Physical Damage Insurance
Having bobtail physical damage insurance will provide you with complete coverage not only for property damage, but also for any physical damage. Combining both a bobtail policy and physical damage insurance can also help pay for the damage caused to another person by your truck. You could be spending thousands of dollars in the event of a faultless accident without auto repair expenses. This helps you so that you do not have to deal with insane damage costs if an accident occurs.
Physical damage is a term used for specific commercial auto insurance coverages that will protect your vehicle with collision, comprehensive insurance, and events like fire or robbery, with combined additional coverage.
Bobtail and physical damage insurance are essential because you never know when your truck might cause bodily injuries. If you’re a driver, a reckless driver might collide with you no matter how carefully you drive. If you’re an owner, you never know when a vehicle malfunctions and rams another vehicle.
Bobtail and Physical Damage Insurance Cost
Bobtail and physical damage insurance costs vary, as all average insurance cost estimates; however, you can expect to pay an average of about $40-$50 per month in premiums for your bobtail and physical damage insurance coverage.
Trucking Liability Insurance
Trucking Liability Insurance does not cover your own vehicle’s damages. It does not protect you in case of fire, burglary, vandalism, and other events that involve your truck. Even your trailer or freight damages will not be covered.
Get cheap bobtail insurance quotes starting from $28/mo now.
Trucking Liability Insurance generally applies a “scheduled vehicle” approach. It means that each truck that is operated under your authority should be scheduled or listed on the insurance policy for a specific time frame. If your vehicle is not on schedule, then the insurance company will not provide any coverage for your vehicle.
Is Owner-Operator Bobtail Insurance Important?
Owner-operator bobtail insurance is essential, and it is advisable to consult with your carrier the leasing agreement to determine the type of coverage you should maintain. Remember to understand bobtail liability and make sure to get the right commercial bobtail liability insurance to avoid unexpected costs.
Bobtail and Deadhead Insurance
Deadhead insurance is much like bobtailing in a way, since with both bobtail insurance and deadhead insurance, the cargo has been delivered to its destination.
However, with deadhead, the trailer is still on, only empty of any cargo. In contrast, with a bobtail, the trailer isn’t attached to the truck. Therefore, deadhead with trailer but empty as goods are delivered; bobtail = no trailer attached as goods are delivered.
Deadhead insurance and bobtail insurance go hand in hand. Therefore, businesses shouldn’t opt to take one without the other.
Best Bobtail Insurance Companies
Many bobtail insurance companies can provide you with top-quality coverage, proven by their excellent reviews from policyholders. You can easily find commercial bobtail insurance near you and compare bobtail insurance quotes online by clicking one of the ‘Get Quote’ buttons at this page.
Here are the best bobtail insurance companies as per our research:
GEICO Bobtail Insurance
GEICO is considered to be the second-largest auto insurance company in the state. They are widely known for the low rates to customers, either online or over the phone. Suppose you are searching for an affordable auto insurance policy and are willing to manage your accounts online. This Company is for you.
Geico offers a discount for tracking your driving over the phone through the DriveEasy app, which can measure speeding, hard braking, and use of the phone while driving. It is the best feature for the owners when their trucks are on dispatch by the operators.
There are common complaints with the insurance claims, and above-average customer satisfaction with a rating of 5/5 stars. Their website and mobile app are reviewed to be very useful. However, some coverages are only available through partners and not reviewed to offer gap insurance with a limited local agent network.
Our Rating: 5/5
Progressive Bobtail Insurance
Progressive bobtail insurance is offered among various protections, including motor truck cargo, total liability for motor trucks, non-trucking insurance, downtime rental reimbursements, trailer interchange, etc. There are also over 30 different commercial truck insurance policies to ensure that you are most satisfied.
There are several benefits to progressive bobtail insurance. These include multiple sorts of discounts, the types of insured vehicles vary, and the company provides other kinds of coverages outside of the basics. You can also change your deductibles so that your policy is even more flexible and tailored to your current needs.
Progressive does not protect double-decker buses, emergency vehicles, military vehicles, non-licensed road vehicles, and monster trucks. Several different types of commercial vehicles are not covered.
Progressive has one of the highest reputations among customers when it comes to bobtail insurance as well. It is a main reason why we have ranked it as the #1 best bobtail insurance company, along with GEICO.
Our Rating: 5/5
TrueNorth Bobtail Insurance
TrueNorth is an Iowa-based insurance agency and financial services firm that was founded in 2001 and has over 10 locations in America, and is expanding. The best thing about TrueNorth is that they have a huge department that is solely dedicated to bobtail insurance. They also offer excellent rates.
Our Rating: 4.75/5
First Guard Bobtail Insurance
1st Guard Insurance is a Florida-based commercial insurer that is solely focused on commercial truck insurance products for owner-operators. It offers non-trucking liability, physical damage insurance, occupational accident, and fleet insurance plans. First Guard Insurance has a great reputation among truckers in regards to its bobtail insurance and non-trucking liability, as well as other commercial truck insurance policies and coverage options. Their non-trucking liability coverage has your back financially when your truck is used for private or some other non-commercial reason. It covers owner-operators who are permanently leased with existing trucking liability coverage, yet ask for coverage beyond the limits of the lease arrangement. 1st Guard’s claim experience is very good among its policyholders as well, and they seem to be very reliable.
Average cost per month: $60/month
Our Rating: 5/5
State Farm Bobtail Insurance
State Farm Bobtail Insurance earned an overall 4.5 stars out of 5. The Company is commended for its bobtail policy pricing and discounts, smoothness of every transaction, ease of filing claims, website transparency, and financial strength. State Farm Bobtail Insurance offers accident-free deals, driver’s safety course discounts, vehicle safety discounts, etc.
There are pros for availing state farm bobtail insurance, such as the numerous discounts for different programs, such as safe driving. They give great rental and travel expenses coverage and are among the highest-rated insurance companies by J.D. Power. However, there are average ratings for car insurance and insurance claims from the customers.
Our Rating: 4.5/5
OOIDA Bobtail Insurance
There are different forms of truck insurance coverage, and OOIDA has them. The forms of insurance offered by the Company include primary liability, general commercial liability, cargo for motor vehicles, accident coverage, coverage of physical damages, and there are various optional insurance forms for commercial insurers, which include physical damages insurance.
There are several truck insurance choices, and the OOIDA officers and staff are very familiar with their jobs. Their knowledge about trucking companies makes many drivers more comfortable, trusting OOIDA. You can avail of competitive rates on policies that suit your needs, and there are flexibilities with a vast number of commercial truck insurance options.
Some brokers do not work with OOIDA, as the truck insurance is not listed as AAA. It means you have less access to loads, and for certain people, they do not find this very beneficial. Regardless, OOIDA has a very satisfactory rating of 4.1/5 and has gained its trust of commercial insurance plans.
Our Rating: 4.1/5
FAQs
Do I need bobtail insurance if I’m leased onto a carrier?
Yes, most carriers require you to carry bobtail or NTL insurance even though they provide primary liability. Check your lease agreement carefully.
Does bobtail insurance cover personal use?
No. You’ll need non-trucking liability insurance for personal use scenarios.
Is physical damage included in bobtail insurance?
No. You’ll need to purchase physical damage insurance separately if you want coverage for repairs to your truck.
Bottom Line: Don’t Let Your Coverage Go Tail-First
Bobtail insurance isn’t just a box to check; it’s your backup plan when your trailer isn’t behind you, but the risk still is. With premiums starting as low as $30 a month, there’s no reason to leave yourself exposed. Compare quotes, ask the right questions, and build a policy that fits how you actually operate. Because driving uncovered isn’t just risky, it could be financially devastating.
Bottom line: When the trailer’s off, the risk isn’t. Keep your tail covered.
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