ServicesOwner-Operator Insurance
Owner-Operator Truck Insurance in Union City
You own the truck and you run the business. We set up coverage that fits how you actually haul, leased onto a carrier or under your own authority. Before you sign anything, you get a written quote that lists each coverage, its limit, its deductible and what drives the premium.
What owner-operator insurance covers
There is no single owner-operator policy. It is a set of coverages, and the right set depends on one question: whose authority are you running under.
If you are leased onto a motor carrier, the carrier usually carries the primary auto liability while you are under dispatch. You still need non-trucking liability (bobtail) for the miles you drive off dispatch, and physical damage to protect your own tractor. If you run under your own MC authority, you carry it all: primary auto liability with the federal filings, motor truck cargo, physical damage, and trailer interchange if you pull trailers you do not own.
We sort that out with you first, then put it in writing. Your lease agreement and your lender both have rules about what you carry, and we read those before we price anything.
What we put together for you
- Primary auto liability
- Required when you run under your own authority. This pays for injuries and damage you cause to others. We handle the filings tied to your DOT number so your authority stays active.
- Non-trucking liability (bobtail)
- For leased-on drivers. It covers you when the truck is moving for personal use, off dispatch. Many lease agreements require it before your first load.
- Physical damage
- Covers your tractor, and your trailer if you own one, for collision, fire, theft and similar losses. If the truck is financed, the lender will almost always require it and want to be listed on the policy.
- Motor truck cargo
- Pays for the freight you haul if it is damaged or lost. Brokers and shippers check the limit, and some freight types need a higher one.
- Trailer interchange
- For drivers who pull trailers owned by someone else under an interchange agreement. Your physical damage policy does not cover a trailer you do not own.
- Certificates of insurance
- Brokers, shippers and carriers ask for proof before they hand you freight. We issue certificates of insurance and update them when a customer needs to be added.
When it is time to call us about your coverage
You are signing a lease
The carrier will tell you what you need to carry. Get that list in hand before you pick up the keys to a load.
You are going out on your own authority
Moving from leased-on to your own MC authority changes almost every part of your coverage. Your liability filing has to be in place before the authority goes active.
You just financed or bought a truck
The lender wants physical damage coverage with them named on it. Buying a newer or more expensive truck also changes what that coverage costs.
Your renewal jumped
A higher premium can come from a new ticket, a claim, a change in lanes or the market itself. We go through the renewal line by line and shop it so you know what changed.
A broker turned down your certificate
Sometimes the cargo limit is too low or the certificate is missing something the broker requires. That is usually a fixable gap.
What moves the price of owner-operator coverage
Premiums for a one-truck operation vary a lot from driver to driver. We cannot give a fair number until we know how you run. Here is what insurers look at most, and we show you how each one affects your price.
Your driving record and experience
Years with a CDL and a clean motor vehicle record count for a lot. Recent violations or accidents raise the premium.
Time under your own authority
New authorities usually pay more in the first year or two. A track record with no claims helps at renewal.
What you haul and where
Freight type, radius and lanes all matter. Local runs around metro Atlanta price differently than long-haul cross-country work.
Truck value and deductibles
A newer, higher-value truck costs more to cover for physical damage. A higher deductible lowers the premium but means more out of pocket on a claim.
Limits you need
Your lease, brokers or contracts may require higher liability or cargo limits than the minimum. Higher limits cost more, so we match them to what your customers actually ask for.
How we build your coverage
- 1
A phone or video conversation
You tell us how you run: leased or own authority, what you haul, how far you go and what truck you drive. You can also stop by our office in Union City.
- 2
Gather your paperwork
We will ask for your DOT number and MC number if you have them, your CDL, the truck and trailer VINs, your lease agreement and loss runs from past insurers. Having these ready speeds things up.
- 3
Shop and compare
We take your details to insurers that write owner-operators and compare what comes back. We look at limits, deductibles and exclusions, not just the premium.
- 4
Everything on paper, no surprises
You get each coverage listed with its limit, deductible and cost, plus the factors that set the price. If a fee or a filing charge applies, it is on the page before you agree to anything.
- 5
Bind, file and certify
Once you say yes, we bind the policy, handle any required filings and send certificates to your carrier, broker or lender.
Owner-operator insurance questions
I am leased onto a carrier. Do I need my own insurance?
Usually, yes. The carrier typically covers primary liability while you are under dispatch, but you are on your own for bobtail and for damage to your truck. Have your lease handy when we talk and we will go through it with you.
What is the difference between bobtail and non-trucking liability?
People often use the terms the same way. Non-trucking liability covers you when the truck is used for personal reasons, off dispatch. If you are driving to pick up a load or under dispatch without a trailer, that usually falls under the carrier's primary liability instead. We explain which situation applies to you.
Can you insure me if my authority is brand new?
Yes, we work with new authorities. Fewer insurers write them and the premium is usually higher at first. Our New Authority Truck Insurance page goes into more detail on what to expect.
Will my price change after I sign?
The written quote shows each coverage, limit, deductible and fee before you agree. The premium can change later if your situation changes, such as adding a driver, swapping trucks or changing the freight you haul. We tell you that up front.
I am adding a second truck. Do I still need this coverage?
Once you run more than one truck, you may be better served by a fleet policy. Fleet Truck Insurance covers how that works, and we can look at both options with you.
Get your coverage laid out before you sign
Tell us how you run and what truck you drive. We will put the coverages, limits and costs in writing so you know exactly what you are paying for.