Mercer or Landstar, yes this again...

Yes, a big misunderstanding, that's why it called non trucking liability I think

 

It's insurance for bobcats just in case you run one over you won't receive a hefty state fine

 

Yep. It's anytime you are not under dispatch. Doesn't matter if you are hooked to the trailer or not. To be honest I'm not sure how"non trucking liability" gets nicknamed bobtail or unladen insurance.

 

Most I see (like mine) are plated out of Maine. I know a guy with a few trailers out of TN but I'm not sure most are plated out of TN.

 

Mine is Tennessee. For whatever that's worth. I would assume that at the time that was where mercer was plating all their new trailers. And since then at some point they switched to Maine.

 

If you own a semitruck and work as an independent contractor, you'll probably need insurance beyond what your motor carrier offers you. In most cases, when you're under dispatch, you're covered by the business insurance your motor carrier provides. However, once you're off the clock, you're also not covered by that policy. In order to bridge the coverage gap, many independent contractors purchase bobtail or non-trucking liability insurance.

Bobtail Insurance

Bobtail insurance covers you and your semitruck when you're not hauling a trailer or other load. For example, if you drop off a load in Sacramento and bobtail to Reno to pick up your next load for a different company, bobtail insurance will cover you for that portion of the trip. Bobtail insurance also applies when you drive home in your tractor after dropping off a load and the trailer.

Bobtail insurance will not provide coverage if you're hauling any trailer, reefer or other load. Even if your trailer is completely empty at the time of the accident, bobtail insurance will not offer you any protection. Whether or not your accident occurs during a personal or business trip should not affect your coverage. Using your tractor for personal errands, like grocery shopping, is fine as long as the errand does not involve you hauling a trailer or other equipment.

Non-Trucking Liability Insurance

Non-trucking liability insurance protects you from liability in accidents that occur when you're using your semitruck for personal use. Grocery shopping, going to the movies or even hauling some dirt for your new garden are all covered.

Non-trucking liability insurance should cover your personal errands, but the definition of personal trips has been clarified by various state and federal court decisions. Running errands before driving home after dropping your load may not be covered by non-trucking liability insurance. In that case, the courts have determined that the motor carrier owes you a ride home in your tractor, so the coverage your motor carrier provides may cover the accident. Trips that involve you taking your semitruck to a garage for servicing may also not be covered. The court decided that in this particular scenario, the motor carrier may be responsible if you were fulfilling the maintenance terms of your independent contractor business agreement.

 

Mercer offers this coverage. An every other company I've been leased to as well.
I hit a deer while bobtailing an called the insurance company an they it a check to the freightliner dealership as soon as repairs were complete

 

Its non trucking liability, we don't drop our trailer, we own them.

 

The best advice I can give is call OOIDA and ask questions about insurance. Moreover, show them the policy the company has and MAKE SURE you are covered for any contingency. If there are gaps in coverage......get it taken care of. Make sure it is tailored to your operation.

While I respect the opinions of my fellow owner operators......I would get a list of questions and call OOIDA.

 

While i agree a person should research things on their own. Ooida would not be my first choice to get advice from. But that's probably personal bias. I can't stand them.