WE ARE LEADERS IN COMMERCIAL TRUCK INSURANCE SOLUTIONS

Hot Shot Insurance

in partnership with

Our guide below covers everything you need to know about insurance for your hot shot business including what policies are required, how much it costs, and more.

To help you find the right coverage, we've reviewed the top commercial truck insurance carriers and narrowed down our list to three recommendations based on coverage options, customer satisfaction, pricing, and financial strength.

‍

Our guide below covers everything you need to know about insurance for your hot shot business including what policies are required, how much it costs, and more.

‍

For those just looking for a few recommendations, here are our top choices.

The Hartford

Get A Quote
  • Best Overall

biBERK

Get A Quote
  • Competitive Rates

Progressive

Get A Quote
  • Great for New Ventures

By clicking “Get Quote” or calling you will go to one of our insurance partners. The providers above may not be one of the providers in their network at this time.

What is hot shot truck insurance?

Hot shot truck insurance is a collection of commercial insurance policies, such as commercial auto and general liability, that protects hot shot trucking businesses.


Common coverage includes:



  • Primary Liability
  • Cargo
  • Physical Damage
  • Trailer Interchange
  • General Liability
  • Workers’ Compensation or Occupational Accident Insurance

Hot shotting is a specific type of trucking that focuses on smaller loads delivered in the fastest time frame possible.


Hot shot truckers typically use medium-duty pickup trucks with trailers to transport heavy equipment, cars, livestock, RVs, and oil pipeline equipment in states like Texas, Oklahoma, and California.


Hot shot trucking can be lucrative work due to shipper urgency and the higher fees they are willing to pay.

Who needs hot shot insurance?

Motor carriers and owner operators both need to carry commercial hot shot insurance if they operate vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10k lbs or more.


Common setups include:


  • Class 3 Trucks – vehicles weighing 10,001-14,000 lbs (GMC Sierra 3500, Ford F-350, or Ram 3500)
  • Class 4 Trucks – vehicles weighing 14,001 - 16,000 lbs (Chevy Silverado 4500HD and Ram 4500)
  • Class 5 Trucks – vehicles weighing 16,001- 19,500 lbs (Ford F-550, Chevy Silverado 5500HD, and Ram 5500)‍
  • Trailers – can include gooseneck, fifth wheel, livestock, and bumper pull with either an open or enclosed design

Hot Shot Insurance Requirements

Required Coverage

  • Primary Liability – Provides liability coverage to third parties for at-fault accidents while on the road. Though the FMCSA requires a minimum of $750k in coverage, many brokers and shippers require $1M+. Owner operators leased onto a motor carrier will have this coverage provided by the carrier.
  • Cargo – Protects the goods being transported. While not required by law in most cases, all shippers and brokers still require their motor carriers to carry cargo insurance. Companies without cargo insurance will have trouble booking loads.

Common Coverage

  • Physical Damage – Covers physical damage trucks and/or owned trailers. While not required by law, most vehicle owners carry physical damage insurance to protect their investments.
  • Bobtail or Non-Trucking – Owner operators leased onto a motor carrier do not need to carry primary liability or cargo insurance but will need to carry bobtail or non-trucking liability (NTL) for when they are not driving under dispatch.
  • Trailer Interchange Coverage & Non-Owned Trailer – While both policies provide physical damage coverage to non-owned trailers, trailer interchange requires an interchange agreement and provides coverage the entire time a trucker has the trailer in their possession. Non-owned trailer, on the other hand, does not require an agreement but only covers the trailer while it is physically attached to the truck. Neither covers any damage caused by the trailer, which would be covered by primary liability.
  • General Liability – Offers coverage for work-related incidents that aren’t covered by primary liability. For example, any actions of the driver while they are loading, unloading, or at a truck stop.
  • Workers' Compensation – Carriers with W-2 employees are legally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance in most states. This coverage provides medical and wage benefits to employees injured on the job.
  • Occupational Accident Insurance – Similar to workers’ compensation insurance, occupational accident insurance covers medical payments and lost wages. However, this coverage is primarily intended for independent contractors and not for workers classified as employees (though some states allow this). Premiums can be paid by the carrier or the owner operator depending on the situation. 

MCS-90 Requirements

The MCS-90 is an endorsement that is attached to a motor carrier’s insurance policy to prove that they have the minimum required protection for public liability in an at-fault accident.


Any trucking company that operates either intrastate or interstate is required to carry the MCS-90 endorsement for each vehicle.

BMC-91 Requirements

BMC-91 is a filing the FMCSA requires to guarantee the motor carrier has enough liability insurance to cover the risk of transporting cargo across state lines. The BMC-91 is also required when hauling hazardous materials.


Coverage must include bodily injury, property damage, and environmental restoration.

MCS-90 vs BMC-91

Often confused, the MCS-90 is an endorsement that motor carriers need to carry on their insurance policy. The BMC-91 is paperwork that the insurance company must file with the FMCSA to verify that the MCS090 endorsement has been issued.

CDL vs Non-CDL Hot Shot Insurance

While not all hot shot truckers need to have their CDL, insurance requirements are still the same.



While a CDL driver will typically have lower premiums than a non-CDL driver for the same vehicle, non-CDL insurance is sometimes less expensive because the vehicle and trailer have lower weight limits.

How much does hot shot insurance cost?

Hot shot insurance for motor carriers typically costs $10,000-$30,000 a year per vehicle. Owner operators that are leased onto a motor carrier can expect to pay $3,000-$5,000 each year per vehicle.


Insurance premiums can vary widely depending on a number of factors. These include:

‍

  • Location & Operating Radius – All else being equal, a truck will be more expensive to insure in states like California and New York compared to Iowa and Georgia. A larger operating radius also typically means a higher premium.
  • Cargo – More expensive and hazardous materials will result in higher premiums.
  • Business & Driving Record – Businesses and drivers with experience and no driving issues will typically save on premiums. Newer companies may need to suffer through high premiums until they have a solid track record.
  • Vehicle – More expensive and larger vehicles will have higher premiums because they are more expensive to repair or replace and they can do more damage to third parties.
  • CDL vs Non-CDL – All else being equal, a CDL driver operating a vehicle that doesn’t require a CDL may have lower premiums than a driver without their CDL.
  • Policy Limits & Deductibles – Not surprisingly, higher policy limits and lower deductibles will result in higher premiums.

Non-CDL Hot Shot Insurance Cost

Non-CDL hot shot trucking companies shouldn't expect to save too much on their insurance premiums and companies should expect to pay $10,000-$30,000 per year.

Why is hot shot insurance so expensive?

While smaller than semi-trucks, the vehicles used in hot shot trucking can still do a considerable amount of damage in an accident and the equipment itself is also expensive to repair and replace. Some hot shot companies also transport expensive or dangerous cargo which can result in higher premiums.


‍

How to find cheap hot shot insurance

The cheapest insurance isn’t always the best choice but unreasonable premiums can be the difference between a profitable company and an unprofitable one.


To find an affordable policy, companies should use the following tactics:


  • Compare multiple quotes and ask about rate matching
  • Check if discounts are available for paying premiums annually vs monthly
  • Equip vehicles with safety equipment like dash cams and fog lights
  • Opt for a higher deductible or lower policy limit (while still carrying adequate coverage)

Best Hot Shot Insurance Companies

Choosing the right insurance coverage is an important decision with a lot of variables to consider so it is a good idea to get several quotes and carefully compare coverage and pricing before making a decision.

Progressive

Get A Quote
  • Best Overall

biBERK

Get A Quote
  • Competitive Rates

The Hartford

Get A Quote
  • Great for New Ventures

FAQs

  • What kind of insurance do you need for a dually?

    While a dually does not necessarily require commercial truck insurance, it is somewhat uncommon to use a dually exclusively for personal use so most vehicles will require a commercial policy.

  • Do I need commercial insurance for hot shot trucking?

    Yes, hot shot trucking requires commercial insurance. Interstate motor carriers and those transporting hazardous materials are required by he FMCSA to carry primary liability insurance at a minimum but shippers will also require cargo converge. Carriers not regulated by the FMCSA have different insurance requirements depending on their state of operation. 


    Most companies will also need additional insurance coverage, like physical damage insurance.

  • What makes a hot shot non-CDL?

    Hot shot truckers don’t need a CDL if they operate vehicles with a GVWR under 26K lbs and don’t haul hazardous cargo.

  • Can hot shot truckers run without a DOT number?

    Interstate trucking companies or those hauling hazardous cargo are required to have a USDOT number. Intrastate companies hauling non-hazardous cargo do not need a USDOT number but they may need a DOT number at the state level.

  • Do hot shot truckers need a DOT medical card?

    Hot shot truckers operating vehicles with a GVWR over 10k lbs are required to obtain a DOT medical card. 


    The FMCSA registry can help you find an approved medical examiner in your area.