Is non-trucking liability the same as bobtail insurance?

They're close but not the same. NTL covers non-business use of the truck, with or without a trailer. Bobtail coverage is about driving the tractor without a trailer, and some bobtail policies cover business trips that NTL leaves out. Your lease says which one you need; we compare the wording side by side.

Doesn't my motor carrier's insurance cover me?

Only while you're working for them. The carrier must carry public liability for trucks operating under its authority, and the lease has to say who provides any other coverage. Off dispatch, that's almost always you.

What limit do I need?

The one your lease names. Send us the lease and we'll quote the exact limit it asks for, and add your carrier as additional insured if the lease requires it.

Can I get NTL if I have my own MC authority?

Not for the trips you run under your own authority: those need a primary auto liability policy and the federal filing that goes with it. If you hold authority but are leased onto another carrier, NTL can cover the truck while it is off that carrier's dispatch.

What happens if I switch carriers?

Tell us before you sign the new lease. We update the certificate holder and additional insured so your coverage follows you without a gap.

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Non-Trucking Liability Insurance (Bobtail)

Non-trucking liability (NTL) covers injury and damage you cause to others when you drive your truck for a non-business reason: going home after you drop a load, a trip to the shop on your own time, a weekend errand. When you're under dispatch, the motor carrier you're leased to provides the liability coverage. When you're off dispatch, their policy usually stops, and NTL picks up. Many people call it bobtail insurance; strictly, a bobtail policy is about driving without a trailer, and the two are worded differently. Your lease names which one it requires. We write NTL for owner-operators leased to a motor carrier, and we read the lease first so the two policies fit together.

What's Covered

Bodily injury and property damage you cause off dispatch

Personal and non-business use of your tractor

Limits set to match your lease requirement

Motor carrier named as additional insured when the lease asks

Certificate of insurance sent to your motor carrier

Pairs with physical damage and occupational accident

Who Needs Non-Trucking Liability Insurance (Bobtail)?

You need NTL if you own your truck, are leased to a motor carrier, and ever drive it when you're not under their dispatch. NTL doesn't help if you run under your own authority: then you need primary liability on your own policy. It also doesn't cover a trip you make for business, like driving to pick up a load, so read the wording before you buy. To quote we need the truck's year, make and VIN, where it's parked at night, your driver's license, a list of any tickets or accidents in the last three years, the carrier you're leased to and the limit your lease asks for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where These Facts Come From

Sourced 2 of 2

Key federal requirements on this page, linked to the law they come from.

1.A lease between a carrier and an owner-operator must state the carrier's duty to keep public liability insurance and who provides any other coverage for the leased truck, such as bobtail insurance. 49 CFR 376.12 · checked 2026-10-21
2.A motor carrier can be registered only after it files security for its liability to the public. 49 U.S.C. 13906(a) · checked 2026-10-01

Get a Non-Trucking Liability Insurance (Bobtail) Quote

We compare rates from many carriers to find the best non-trucking liability insurance (bobtail) coverage for your operation.

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