Every vehicle needs insurance coverage, but circumstances can affect which kind of insurance your business and vehicle need. When dealing with insurance for vehicles, it’s imperative to have comprehensive coverage to avoid any unplanned costs in the unfortunate event of an accident. Bobtail insurance is liability-only business coverage that protects truck drivers from accident-related costs.

All About Bobtail Insurance

The term ‘bobtail’ refers to the period when a truck is being driven without a trailer. This insurance applies to drivers whose accident results in property damage or bodily injury to others. It provides coverage when the truck is being used before loading the truck with materials and after unloading, as well as when driving the truck home.

Bobtail insurance should be purchased in addition to commercial trucking insurance. Bobtail insurance is similar to non-trucking liability. Non-trucking liability is when the vehicle is used for non-business-related or personal purposes other than commercial driving. For example, picking up children from school or grocery shopping. This policy offers protection from liabilities incurred during non-business purposes. 

Businesses purchase bobtail insurance coverage to protect themselves from any possible lawsuit as it offers protection from high out-of-pocket costs in the case of an accident. Businesses should consider purchasing this coverage if a truck is being driven at any time without a trailer.

Coverage and Costs

Bobtail insurance coverage includes the scenario where a truck is being driven and the trailer is not attached regardless of whether or not the truck is under dispatch, as well as if the truck is operated under someone else’s authority. Further instances of coverage include:

• An accident on your way to pick up your first load
• An accident after you deliver materials 
• An accident on your way to pick up your next shipment
• Costs associated with liability including legal fees, medical bills for injury, and settlement expenses

It does not provide coverage for physical damage to your vehicle during these scenarios. 

Further, there are several factors that determine the cost of bobtail insurance coverage:

• Driver records of employees
• Frequency of truck use without trailer
• How long the company has been in business
• How busy the company is
• The number of trucks the company owns and operates
• The amount of employees that will be using the trucks

Bobtail Insurance With Biscayne

Bobtail insurance can protect your business from detrimental unforeseen costs. Vehicle accidents involving trucks can become extremely costly, especially for larger trucks. It’s recommended to hire seasoned drivers to reduce the cost of coverage. Employers and employees should be aware of the exact vehicle coverage when operating, and should always carry a copy of the motor carrier’s insurance policy. 

At Biscayne Risk & Insurance Group, we offer extensive business auto insurance for every business and industry. We assess your needs and create a plan that exceeds expectations. Contact us today to see how we can help cover your business vehicles.