Running without a trailer doesn't mean running without risk.
Liability coverage when the truck runs without a trailer
Bobtail insurance provides liability coverage for a tractor being driven without a trailer attached — often after dropping a load and heading to the next pickup or back to the yard. In trucking, running a tractor with no trailer is called “bobtailing.”
Owner-operators leased to a motor carrier are typically covered by the carrier's liability policy only while under dispatch and hauling a load. The moment the trailer comes off, that protection can disappear. Bobtail coverage fills that gap.
What Bobtail Covers
Bobtail coverage generally provides:
Liability Protection — bodily injury and property damage you become liable for while operating the tractor without a trailer.
Coverage Beyond Dispatch — protection during the periods a motor carrier's policy commonly excludes.
Legal Defense — costs to defend covered claims.
Who Needs Bobtail
Bobtail insurance is typically needed by:
Owner-operators leased to a motor carrier
Independent truckers who drive without a trailer between loads
Drivers required by their carrier agreement to carry it
Bobtail vs. Non-Trucking Liability
These two are closely related and frequently confused. Bobtail generally responds when the tractor is operated without a trailer, regardless of purpose. Non-Trucking Liability responds when the truck is used for non-business purposes — not under dispatch. Many owner-operators need one, the other, or both, depending on their lease agreement. We help you read the fine print and place the right one.
Our Approach
At Cory Washington & Co., Bobtail coverage is never a checkbox. We evaluate how your business actually operates, review your contracts and exposures, and structure coverage to perform in the real world — not just to satisfy a minimum. Licensed in all 50 states, we place Bobtail coverage through admitted carriers and specialty markets that compete for your account, then explain the trade-offs in plain English so you can decide with confidence.
Related trucking coverage: Non-Trucking Liability · Commercial Auto · Physical Damage · Motor Truck Cargo.
All insurance descriptions on this website are provided by Cory Washington & Co. LLC strictly for general informational purposes. They are not intended to be, and should not be relied upon as, legal, financial, or insurance advice. The information presented is general in nature and does not guarantee the availability, terms, conditions, or scope of any insurance coverage. Actual coverage is determined solely by the specific policy language issued by the insurer and remains subject to underwriting approval. Nothing on this website creates or implies an agent-client relationship, binds coverage, or alters any existing policy. Cory Washington & Co. LLC expressly disclaims any liability for actions taken, or not taken, based on the content provided here. For advice regarding your particular situation, please consult directly with a licensed insurance professional at Cory Washington & Co. LLC or another qualified insurance professional, and always review your policy documents in full.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get bobtail insurance through Cory Washington & Co.?
Request a quote or contact our team. We start with a short conversation about your operations, analyze your exposures, then negotiate bobtail insurance across multiple carriers that compete for your account and present options with the trade-offs explained. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
What drives the cost of bobtail insurance?
Premiums vary from business to business. The main drivers of bobtail insurance pricing are the nature of your operations, your revenue and payroll, your loss history, and the limits you carry. Rather than quote a flat figure, we negotiate across several markets and walk you through the options, so you only pay for the protection you actually need.
Do I need bobtail insurance?
It depends on your situation. Some coverage is required by law; more often, bobtail insurance is required by a contract, lease, lender, or client before they will do business with you — and even when it is not mandated, it guards against exposures that can be severe. We review your operations and obligations and tell you plainly what you need and why.
What if another agency has already declined or non-renewed my coverage?
Difficult, specialty, and previously-declined placements are a core part of our work. We access excess & surplus (E&S) and specialty markets that many generalist agencies cannot, and we explain the trade-offs clearly so you can decide with confidence.
Available in all 50 states. See how requirements differ in California, Texas, Florida, New York, or choose your state.