Hotshot truck insurance covers expedited freight hauled with a heavy-duty pickup and a gooseneck or flatbed trailer. Assurance Group of America helps hotshot owner-operators get primary liability, cargo and physical damage coverage for the truck and the trailer, shopped with several carriers.
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Why is hotshot insurance harder to get right?
A hotshot rig looks like a pickup, but federal rules can treat it like a big truck. A vehicle used in interstate commerce counts as a commercial motor vehicle when its gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating is 10,001 lbs or more, whichever is greater (49 CFR 390.5).
That rating decides a lot: which federal liability minimum applies, whether you need a CDL, and what underwriters ask about. Many hotshot carriers also run a newer authority and switch between loads that pay by the trip, which adds questions about radius and cargo.
How do weight ratings change my insurance and license needs?
For-hire freight in a vehicle rated 10,001 lbs or more carries a $750,000 federal liability minimum. A fleet made up only of vehicles rated under 10,001 lbs has a $300,000 minimum (49 CFR 387.303). Many heavy-duty pickups used for hotshot work are rated above 10,001 lbs on their own, but the door-jamb label is what counts.
Licensing follows the combination. A Class A CDL is required when the gross combination weight rating is 26,001 lbs or more and the trailer is rated over 10,000 lbs (49 CFR 383.91). Insurers ask for your CDL status and experience for that reason.
How Assurance Group of America helps hotshot carriers
- Coverage built around the rig: primary liability for your authority, plus physical damage for the truck and the trailer, listed separately so both are protected.
- Cargo matched to your loads: hotshot freight ranges from machinery to building materials, so the cargo limit should match what your brokers require.
- More than one carrier: as an independent agency, we take your operation to several insurers instead of one.
- Help after you buy: certificates for brokers, policy changes when you add a trailer, and claims follow-up.
Why truckers work with us
Assurance Group of America has insured truckers for 15+ years. Our vice president holds the TRS and TCS designations from the Motor Carrier Insurance Education Foundation. We are headquartered in Florida and licensed in FL, GA, IN, MS, NC, OH, PA, SC, SD, TN and VA. Se habla español.
How it works
- Tell us about your rig. Truck and trailer year, make, VIN and weight ratings, your CDL experience, what you haul and how far you run.
- We shop several carriers. Your agent takes your hotshot operation to insurers that write this class of business.
- Your agent walks you through the options. You compare coverages side by side and choose what fits.
Hotshot insurance questions
Does my personal pickup insurance cover hotshot loads?
Usually not. Personal auto policies commonly exclude hauling freight for hire, so a claim during a paid load may not be covered. Check your policy’s business-use exclusions and talk to an agent before you take loads.
Do I need cargo insurance for hotshot work?
Federal rules require cargo filings only from household goods carriers. Most brokers still require motor truck cargo coverage before they tender hotshot loads, so check each carrier packet’s insurance section.
Is my trailer covered by my truck’s policy?
Not automatically. Physical damage coverage applies to the units listed on the policy, so each trailer you own needs to be listed. Tell your agent when you add or replace a trailer.
Can a new hotshot authority get insured?
Yes. Insurers write new authorities, though underwriters look closely at driver experience, planned radius and equipment. The new authority insurance FAQ covers the filings and the 90-day window.
What do underwriters look at for hotshot carriers?
Truck and trailer weights, radius, driver experience and age, and how long the authority has been active. Our Trucking Operations Guide lists the coverages usually involved.