What Is Non-Trucking Liability Insurance?
Jake has been a truck driver for over 10 years. Every day, he drives his big rig across states, trusting his trucker liability insurance to protect him while hauling loads.
But what happens when Jake is off-duty but still driving his truck? That’s where things get tricky.
One Night Changed Everything
After a long day on the road, Jake was finally off the clock. Feeling hungry, he decided to drive his truck to grab a quick bite. It was just a personal trip — no freight, no dispatch orders.
Suddenly, a car ran a red light and crashed into Jake’s truck.
Jake thought, “My insurance will cover this, right?”
Wrong.
His regular truck driver insurance only covers accidents when he’s working, hauling a load, or under dispatch. Since he was off-duty, he had no coverage for the accident.
That’s when Jake heard about something called Non-Trucking Liability Insurance.
Highlights
What Is Non-Trucking Liability Insurance?
What Does NTL Insurance Cover?
What NTL Insurance Does NOT Cover
NTL vs. Bobtail vs. Deadhead Insurance
Cost of NTL Insurance
Who Needs NTL Insurance?
What Every Trucker Should Know?
What Is Non-Trucking Liability Insurance?
Non-Trucking Liability Insurance is designed for truck drivers using their vehicles for personal reasons, not work.
Whether you're driving home after a drop-off or heading to the grocery store, NTL protects you when:
You're not under dispatch
You're not hauling a load
You're not operating a motor carrier's business
It fills the gap when your motor carrier’s liability insurance doesn’t apply.
What Does NTL Insurance Cover?
NTL insurance protects you by covering:
Bodily Injury: If you cause injury to someone else in an accident
Property Damage: Damage you cause to other vehicles or property
Legal Fees: Costs if someone sues you after an accident
It’s like a safety net for those times when your work insurance doesn’t apply.
What NTL Insurance Does NOT Cover
Keep in mind, NTL insurance does NOT cover:
Physical Damage to Your Truck: Damage from collisions or other incidents.
Cargo Damage: Loss or damage to the goods being transported.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Injuries or damages caused by a driver with insufficient insurance.
Medical Payments or Personal Injury Protection: Your medical expenses after an accident.
If you’re working, your motor carrier’s liability insurance protects you, but for off-duty driving, NTL is essential.
NTL vs. Bobtail vs. Deadhead Insurance
These three terms often confuse drivers, so here’s the breakdown:
Non-Trucking Liability (NTL): Covers personal use of the truck when not under dispatch.
Bobtail Insurance: Covers the truck when it's operated without a trailer, regardless of dispatch status.
Deadhead Insurance: Covers the truck when it's pulling an empty trailer.
Each covers different situations, so check your contract and driving habits to choose what fits your needs.
Cost of NTL Insurance
Jake found out that his Non-Trucking Liability insurance rate depends on a few important factors, like:
Where he drives
His age and driving record
The type and model of his truck
The kinds of cargo he usually hauls
How many trucks are in his fleet
The size of his operating area
Jake also learned he could save money by bundling his NTL insurance with other trucking policies in a fleet package or by paying his premium once a year instead of monthly.
Who Needs NTL Insurance?
You should consider NTL insurance if you:
Are an owner-operator
Lease your truck to a motor carrier
Drive your truck for personal use when off-duty
Want extra protection when not hauling loads
It's important to note that NTL insurance is not a substitute for primary liability insurance, which is required when the truck is used for business purposes.
What Every Trucker Should Know?
Just because you're off the clock doesn’t mean you’re safe from accidents.
Whether you own your truck or lease it through a company, you still need protection when you're not working. Accidents can happen anytime — even when you're just driving to get food or heading home.
That’s where Non-Trucking Liability Insurance comes in. It:
Covers you when your work insurance doesn’t
Helps pay for damage or injuries from off-duty accidents
Keeps you safe and gives you peace of mind
Don’t take chances. Protect yourself — on and off the job.
Stay safe. Stay covered.
The Lesson Jake Learned
Jake thought he was covered—until an off-duty accident proved he wasn’t.
That day, he learned something every truck driver should know: Your regular insurance doesn’t protect you when you’re off the clock.
That’s why this insurance is so important. It covers you when you're using your truck for personal reasons, not just for work.
👍 Don’t wait for an accident to find out you’re not covered. Talk to your insurance agent today.