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Bobtail vs Non-Trucking Liability: What's the Difference?

These two coverages are confused more than any other in trucking insurance. They sound similar. Agents mix them up. And having the wrong one can leave you completely uninsured when you need coverage most.

Why This Matters

Your motor carrier's liability policy covers you while you're dispatched — hauling a load or driving under their authority. But what about all the other times you're behind the wheel?

Covered by Motor Carrier's Policy

  • Driving to pick up a dispatched load
  • Hauling freight under their authority
  • Delivering to the consignee
  • Any movement under dispatch

The Gap — Who Covers This?

  • Driving home after dropping a load
  • Running personal errands in your truck
  • Driving to the shop for maintenance
  • Bobtailing to the next shipper (not dispatched yet)
  • Weekends, days off, between loads
The dangerous assumption: Many owner-operators leased to a carrier think they're always covered under the carrier's policy. They're not. The carrier's policy only applies while you're operating under their dispatch. Every other moment, you need your own coverage — and that's where bobtail and non-trucking liability come in.

The Two Coverages, Explained

Both cover liability when you're not under dispatch. But they work differently, and the wrong one can leave you exposed.

Non-Trucking Liability (NTL)

Most Common

Covers you for personal, non-business use of your truck when you're not under dispatch.

Covered Examples

  • Driving home after delivering a load
  • Going to the grocery store in your truck
  • Taking your truck to church on Sunday
  • Driving to a doctor's appointment
  • Running personal errands

NOT Covered

  • Driving to pick up a load (not yet dispatched)
  • Hauling freight for anyone
  • Any use that furthers a business purpose
  • Deadheading to position for a load
Key restriction: The moment your truck use has a business purpose — even if you're not officially dispatched — NTL typically won't apply.

Bobtail Liability

Broader Coverage

Covers you anytime you're operating without a trailer attached (bobtailing), regardless of purpose.

Covered Examples

  • Driving home after dropping a trailer
  • Bobtailing to pick up an empty trailer
  • Driving without a trailer to position for a load
  • Personal errands without a trailer
  • Going to the shop for maintenance (no trailer)

NOT Covered

  • Pulling a trailer (even empty)
  • Hauling any freight
  • Operating under dispatch with a trailer
Key restriction: The moment you hook up to a trailer — even an empty one — bobtail coverage typically ends.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Factor Non-Trucking Liability Bobtail Liability
Trigger Not under dispatch + personal use only Operating without a trailer
Business use? No — personal use only Yes — any purpose without trailer
Deadheading to next load? Not covered (business purpose) Covered (no trailer)
Driving home after delivery? Covered (personal use) Covered if no trailer
Pulling empty trailer? Maybe (if truly personal) Not covered (trailer attached)
Who needs it? Owner-ops leased to a carrier Owner-ops with own authority
Typical cost $300 — $800/yr $400 — $1,200/yr
Typical limits $1M CSL $1M CSL

5 Real-World Scenarios

This is where the confusion gets expensive. Let's walk through actual situations.

1

Friday Night: You Just Dropped Your Last Load

You delivered in Dallas, dropped the trailer at the yard, and you're driving your tractor home to Fort Worth for the weekend. No dispatch, no trailer.

NTL: Covered — personal use, not under dispatch
Bobtail: Covered — no trailer attached
2

Monday Morning: Heading to Pick Up a Load

Your dispatcher called. There's a load at a shipper 60 miles away. You're bobtailing there to hook up to a loaded trailer. You're not officially "dispatched" on the BOL yet, but you're driving there for business.

NTL: Likely NOT covered — this is a business purpose
Bobtail: Covered — no trailer, doesn't matter why
This is the #1 scenario where NTL leaves truckers exposed. You think you're covered because you're "not dispatched yet," but NTL insurers argue driving to pick up a load is business use.
3

Pulling an Empty Trailer Back to the Yard

You delivered the load, and now you're pulling the empty trailer back to the carrier's yard. You're not under dispatch for a new load — just returning equipment.

NTL: Gray area — returning equipment could be "business use"
Bobtail: NOT covered — trailer is attached
This is the scenario that falls through the cracks. Neither coverage clearly applies. The carrier's policy might cover it as "completing the prior dispatch," but don't assume.
4

Saturday: Taking the Family to Dinner in the Truck

It's the weekend. No work. You're driving your tractor (no trailer) to a restaurant with your family.

NTL: Covered — clearly personal use
Bobtail: Covered — no trailer attached
5

Using a Load Board Between Dispatches

You're leased to a carrier but sometimes grab loads on the side using a load board under your own authority. You're pulling a loaded trailer on one of these side gigs.

NTL: NOT covered — hauling freight is business use
Bobtail: NOT covered — trailer is attached
Carrier's policy: NOT covered — not under their dispatch
This is the most dangerous scenario. You have no coverage at all. If you haul freight under your own authority, you need your own primary liability policy — not NTL, not bobtail.

Which One Do You Need?

You Need NTL If...

  • You're an owner-operator leased to a motor carrier
  • You only haul under their authority
  • You never haul freight on your own
  • Your lease agreement requires NTL (most do)
  • You mostly use your truck for personal purposes when off dispatch
$300 — $800/yr

You Need Bobtail If...

  • You have your own authority (MC number)
  • You regularly deadhead between loads
  • You reposition without a trailer frequently
  • You want broader coverage without the "personal use only" restriction
  • You can't always clearly distinguish "personal" from "business" driving
$400 — $1,200/yr

You Need Your Own Primary Liability If...

  • You have your own authority and haul under it
  • You pick up loads from load boards
  • You haul for multiple brokers or shippers
  • You're not permanently leased to one carrier
$8,000 — $20,000+/yr

This is your primary coverage. NTL and bobtail are supplements for gaps — they don't replace primary liability.

The Coverage Gap Nobody Talks About

Here's the scenario that bankrupts people:

1

You're leased to Carrier X. Their policy covers you under dispatch. You have NTL for personal use.

2

You finish a load Friday. You're driving to the next shipper 200 miles away to pick up Monday's load.

3

You get in an accident Saturday morning on the way there.

4

Carrier's policy: "You weren't dispatched." NTL insurer: "You were driving for a business purpose." Result: No coverage. You're personally liable.

What "No Coverage" Actually Costs

Other driver's medical bills $50,000 — $500,000+
Property damage $10,000 — $100,000+
Your legal defense $25,000 — $100,000+
Your truck (total loss, no physical damage) $50,000 — $180,000
Total personal exposure $135,000 — $880,000+

The NTL or bobtail policy that would have covered this? $300 — $1,200 per year.

6 Mistakes That Leave You Uninsured

1

Thinking "Not Under Dispatch" = Covered by NTL

NTL doesn't cover you just because you're not dispatched. It covers you when your truck use is personal. Driving to position for a load isn't personal — it's business.

2

Assuming the Carrier's Policy Always Covers You

The carrier's policy covers you while operating under their authority and dispatch. The moment you're off dispatch, you're on your own.

3

Having Bobtail But Regularly Pulling Empty Trailers

Bobtail = no trailer. If you regularly reposition with an empty trailer, bobtail won't cover those movements. You need to discuss this gap with your agent.

4

Hauling Side Loads Without Primary Liability

If you pick up loads on the side (load boards, direct shippers) outside your lease agreement, neither NTL nor bobtail covers that freight movement. You need primary liability under your own authority.

5

Not Reading the Actual Policy Exclusions

NTL and bobtail policies vary significantly between insurers. Some NTL policies exclude any driving that could be considered "in furtherance of a business." Read your policy — don't rely on what the agent told you.

6

Skipping the Coverage Entirely to Save Money

NTL costs $300-$800/yr. Bobtail costs $400-$1,200/yr. One accident without coverage can cost $100K+. This is the most obvious insurance math in the industry.

8 Questions to Ask Your Agent

Don't assume you're covered. Ask these questions and get answers in writing.

1

Am I covered when I'm bobtailing to pick up a load I haven't been officially dispatched on yet?

2

Am I covered when I'm pulling an empty trailer back to the yard after delivering?

3

How does my policy define "personal use" vs "business use"?

4

Is there any gap between when the carrier's policy ends and when my NTL/bobtail begins?

5

What happens if I get in an accident and both the carrier and my insurer deny the claim?

6

Does my policy cover me if I'm using the truck for any non-hauling business purpose (like driving to a business meeting)?

7

What are the specific exclusions in my policy that I should know about?

8

If I ever haul a load outside my lease arrangement, what coverage do I need?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have both bobtail and NTL at the same time?

Technically yes, but it rarely makes sense. They serve overlapping purposes. Most truckers need one or the other. If you're leased to a carrier, NTL is usually what's required. If you have your own authority, your primary liability policy should handle most situations, and bobtail fills the gap when you're operating without a trailer outside dispatch.

Does my personal auto insurance cover my semi truck?

No. Personal auto policies exclude commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVWR. Your semi requires commercial coverage. Don't ever assume your personal policy applies to your tractor.

My lease agreement says the carrier provides "full coverage." Do I still need NTL?

Read the lease carefully. "Full coverage" usually means "while under dispatch." Most lease agreements require you to carry your own NTL for off-dispatch use. Even if it's not required, having it is critical — the carrier's definition of "under dispatch" may be narrower than you think.

What if I'm an owner-operator with my own authority — do I need either of these?

If you have your own authority and carry your own primary liability policy ($750K or $1M), you may not need separate NTL or bobtail coverage — your primary policy likely covers all your operations. However, review the policy. Some primary policies have gaps for personal use. Ask your agent to confirm.

How do I know if my current coverage has a gap?

Ask yourself: "If I got in an accident right now — not under dispatch, not hauling freight — who pays?" If you can't immediately answer that question, you likely have a gap. Call your agent and walk through the scenarios in this article. Get the answer in writing.

Not Sure If You're Covered?

Most truckers we talk to have at least one coverage gap they didn't know about. We'll review your current policy, identify the gaps, and show you exactly what you need — no pressure, no upsell.

Get a Free Coverage Review

Or call (208) 557-1435 — we answer.

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