If you’re an owner-operator leased on to a motor carrier, the carrier’s liability policy typically covers you while you’re working under its dispatch. Non-trucking liability (NTL) and bobtail liability fill the gap for the times you’re not. Transportation Risk Specialists places NTL and bobtail coverage with A-rated carriers and matches it to what your lease requires.
Call 205-221-5466Start a Quote
The difference between non-trucking liability and bobtail
| Non-trucking liability | Bobtail liability | |
|---|---|---|
| Generally applies when | You’re using the truck for a non-business purpose, off dispatch | You’re driving the tractor without a trailer attached |
| Trailer attached? | Can apply with or without a trailer | Applies without a trailer |
| Business use? | Generally excluded: no coverage while hauling or under dispatch | Depending on wording, may apply to some business driving without a trailer, such as heading to pick up a load |
| Typical buyer | Leased-on owner-operators whose lease requires it | Leased-on owner-operators whose lease requires it |
Wording varies by insurance company and policy. The terms aren’t interchangeable, so the exact coverage on your policy is what counts.
Who needs it
- Owner-operators leased on to a motor carrier, when the lease requires it (most do)
- Owner-operators who use their tractor for personal driving between loads
If you run under your own authority, you need primary auto liability instead, not NTL or bobtail.
What it doesn’t cover
- Driving while hauling a load or under dispatch for the motor carrier (that’s the carrier’s primary liability)
- Damage to your own truck (that’s physical damage)
- Freight (that’s motor truck cargo)
- Your own injuries (consider occupational accident)
Check your lease first
Your lease agreement usually spells out:
- Whether you need NTL or bobtail, and the minimum limit
- Whether the motor carrier must be listed as an additional insured
- Whether the carrier offers coverage through its own program and deducts it from settlements
Send us your lease and we’ll quote coverage that fits it, so you can compare it with anything offered through the carrier.
NTL and bobtail FAQ
Can I use NTL to haul loads on my own?
No. NTL generally excludes business use. If you haul under your own authority, you need primary auto liability and an FMCSA filing.
Is bobtail the same as deadheading?
Not quite. Deadheading usually means pulling an empty trailer, and bobtail usually means no trailer at all. Coverage depends on the policy wording, so tell us how you actually run.
Does my motor carrier’s policy cover me when I drive home?
It depends on your lease and the carrier’s policy. Many carriers’ policies stop covering you once you’re off dispatch. That’s the gap NTL or bobtail is meant to fill.
Leased on and need NTL or bobtail? Call 205-221-5466 or start your quote.
Coverage descriptions are general; actual coverage depends on the policy issued.