Is occupational accident insurance the same as workers' comp?

No. Workers' comp is required by state law, its benefits are set by that law, and it covers employees. Occupational accident is a private policy for independent contractors; the benefits are whatever the policy says. It doesn't satisfy a state's workers' comp law, so if a state treats your drivers as employees, you still need workers' comp.

Does occupational accident cover me when I'm off duty?

Usually not. Most plans pay only for injuries that happen while you're working under dispatch, including loading, unloading and inspections. Some plans offer 24-hour coverage as an option. We'll show you which one a quote includes before you buy.

My carrier deducts occupational accident from my settlement. Can I buy my own?

Often, yes, if your lease allows it. Federal leasing rules make the lease state who provides insurance beyond the carrier's liability and what the carrier charges back for it. Bring us your lease and we'll quote a plan that meets its requirements, so you can compare it with the chargeback.

Can a motor carrier buy occupational accident for all its owner-operators?

Yes. Carriers that lease on several owner-operators often run one program and either pay for it or charge it back per driver. We can quote it that way and add or remove drivers as your roster changes.

Do I also need non-trucking liability?

Usually, yes. Occupational accident covers your injuries. Non-trucking liability covers damage you cause to other people when you drive the truck off dispatch. Most leases require both.

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Occupational Accident Insurance for Owner-Operators

Occupational accident insurance pays medical bills, disability income and death benefits when an owner-operator gets hurt on the job. It exists because a leased owner-operator is an independent contractor, not an employee, so the motor carrier's workers' comp policy usually doesn't cover them. Most carriers that lease on owner-operators write a requirement for it into the lease. We quote occupational accident plans for owner-operators and for the motor carriers that lease them on, and we can set it up per driver so the carrier gets a certificate for every truck on its roster.

What's Covered

Medical expenses after an on-the-job injury

Temporary total disability income while you can't drive

Continuous (long-term) total disability benefits

Accidental death and dismemberment

Survivor benefits for your family

Certificate naming the motor carrier you're leased to

Who Needs Occupational Accident Insurance for Owner-Operators?

You need occupational accident coverage if you own your truck, run under another company's authority, and get paid on a 1099. Motor carriers need it too: if you lease on owner-operators and none of them carry it, an injured contractor's claim can land on your own policies. Benefit amounts, waiting periods and limits are set by the plan you pick, so we match the plan to what your lease requires. Before we quote we ask for the DOT and MC numbers of the carrier the drivers run under, how many drivers need cover, each driver's name and home state, where the trucks are garaged, any injury claims in the last few years, a copy of the lease and the date you need it to start.

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 say who provides any insurance beyond the carrier's public liability, and the amount the carrier charges back for any coverage it provides. 49 CFR 376.12 · checked 2026-10-21
2.If an owner-operator buys coverage through the carrier, the lease must say the carrier will give a copy of each policy on request and a certificate showing the insurer, policy number, dates, coverage amounts, cost to the owner-operator and deductibles. 49 CFR 376.12 · checked 2026-10-21

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