Owner operators need special truck insurance products and services whether they’re operating under permanent lease to a motor carrier or under their own authority. We understand the difference and can help you choose the best trucking insurance coverages to match your business and protect your livelihood.
Owner operators under permanent lease to a motor carrier
It’s common for a motor carrier to provide primary liability insurance coverage while you’re working for them under permanent lease. This typically covers injuries or damage to other people or property if you’re found responsible for an accident.
Depending on your business, you might need additional owner operator truck insurance coverages, including:
- Non-Trucking Liability – Protection for when you’re using your vehicle for personal use and not under dispatch.
- Physical Damage coverage – Covers the cost of fixing or replacing your truck if it’s involved in an accident or stolen.
- Trailer Interchange – Physical damage coverage for non-owned trailers being pulled under a trailer interchange agreement.
While some motor carriers offer these specialized types of trucking insurance, you can often get a better deal by buying them yourself. This allows you to customize your owner operator insurance policy by fine-tuning the exact types and amounts of coverage.
Owner operators with their own authority
If you’re working under your own authority, you’ll need to carry your own commercial truck insurance coverages, including:
- Liability – Pays for damages that you cause to other people and their property. It normally includes Bodily Injury Liability and Property Damage coverages.
- Physical Damage – Pays for repairs to your truck if it’s damaged in an accident, whether it’s caused by a collision with another vehicle or a falling tree branch.
- Motor Truck Cargo – Coverage for loss or damage to the load you’re hauling.
- Motor Truck General Liability – Pays for injuries or property damage you cause because of business activities not directly related to using your truck.
This isn’t an all-inclusive list. The FMCSA and certain contracts likely have specific owner operator insurance requirements you’ll need to meet before you can start working. Make sure you’ve got the proper coverages in place before hitting the road.
Owner operator insurance cost
Several factors influence the cost of owner operator truck insurance, including:
- Business type
- Vehicle
- Location
- Coverage needs
- Driving history
- Operating radius