Coverage for time-sensitive hauling
Hotshot truck insurance that moves at your speed.
Compare liability, cargo, trailer, and physical damage options for hotshot operators using pickups and medium-duty trucks.
Compare coverageExplore coverage and quote preparationFig. 01: Hotshot truck insurance
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Coverage for pickups, trailers, and cargo
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Options for new ventures and established operators
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Review requirements before accepting a load
Your operation
Start with the work you do.
Hotshot, or hot shot, insurance is a combination of commercial coverages for hauling freight with a pickup or medium-duty truck and trailer. Start with the work you actually accept: a local machinery delivery and a multistate haul can create different insurance questions even with the same equipment.
Running under your own authority
Bring your authority details and customer contracts. Separate the liability and filing requirements that apply to your operation from the cargo limits and endorsements a freight broker or shipper asks you to carry.
Leased to a motor carrier
Review the lease before buying a package. Ask which policies cover dispatch work, who insures your truck and trailer, and what happens during personal use or a change of carrier. An empty trailer does not establish that a trip is personal.
Coverage to compare
Know what each part protects.
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Auto liability
Addresses covered injury or property-damage claims against you arising from vehicle use. Confirm the named business, drivers, operating territory, and required filings.
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Motor truck cargo
Review the exact commodities and highest load value. Ask about theft, loading and unloading, weather exposure, and any commodity sublimits before accepting a different kind of load.
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Truck and trailer physical damage
List the pickup and trailer separately, including their values, ownership, and lender requirements. Compare collision and non-collision protection and the deductible for each.
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Non-owned equipment
If you borrow or interchange trailers, bring the agreement. Ask which coverage applies to that trailer while attached, detached, or parked; do not infer it from coverage on your pickup.
This is general buying guidance. Available coverage depends on the insurer, your operation, and underwriting. The issued policy and endorsements determine what is covered.
Understanding cost
What shapes your quote.
- Authority age, prior insurance, driver experience, and loss history.
- Garaging location, routes, annual mileage, and the freight you accept.
- Truck and trailer values, liability and cargo limits, and deductibles.
Compare equivalent limits, deductibles, and operations before choosing on price. Your quote should explain both the cost and the coverage it buys.
Quote preparation
Have these details ready.
- USDOT and authority details, if applicable, plus the intended start date.
- Pickup and trailer VINs, values, weight ratings, and ownership details.
- Driver details and prior insurance or loss information.
- Typical commodities, maximum load value, routes, and customer or lease requirements.
Start with the short form below. These details help with the follow-up review; you do not need to enter them all to get in touch.
Common questions
Before you choose a policy.
Is there one required hotshot insurance limit?
No single limit fits every operation. FMCSA requirements depend on factors including the type of carrier, vehicle weight, and commodity; state requirements also need checking. A customer's contract can require a higher limit or additional coverage. Review both before booking freight.
Can a new hotshot business request a quote?
Yes. Share that the business is new and distinguish your personal driving experience from the age of the authority. Available insurers, price, and required documents depend on underwriting; a quote request does not guarantee eligibility or coverage.
How should I compare two hotshot quotes?
Put the same equipment, drivers, freight, routes, limits, and deductibles on each submission. Then compare exclusions, fees, payment terms, and the full policy-period cost. A lower installment is not enough to establish that the coverage is equivalent.
Get Started
Get your quotes. It starts with a USDOT number.
Tell us about your operation so our team can review your insurance needs and help you compare available options.
- Coverage options for your operation
- Help reviewing your insurance requirements
- A quote request, with no obligation to buy
Keep exploring
Related coverage questions.
Compare own-authority and leased-on responsibilities.
Motor truck cargo insuranceReview load values and cargo wording.
Flatbed truck insurancePlan for open-deck freight and securement questions.
Coverage availability, limits, and pricing vary by carrier and underwriting eligibility.