Hot shot insurance

What counts as hot shot

“Hot shot” usually means a heavy-duty pickup or medium-duty truck pulling a flatbed or gooseneck trailer, often on time-sensitive loads. Federal rules never use the word. They go by weight ratings and actual weights, so the lines below decide which rules — and which insurance filing — apply to your rig.

The weight lines that matter

10,001 lbs or more

GVWR, GCWR or actual weight — whichever is greater. In interstate commerce this is a commercial motor vehicle: you need a USDOT number, drivers need a DOT medical certificate, and FMCSA safety rules apply (49 CFR 390.5, 391.41).

26,001 lbs combined

A combination rated or weighing 26,001 lbs or more, with a trailer rated or weighing over 10,000 lbs, is a Group A vehicle — a Class A CDL is required (49 CFR 383.5).

Over 26,000 lbs combined

For interstate runs the power unit is an IFTA “qualified motor vehicle” and IRP “apportionable vehicle”: you need IRP plates and an IFTA license.

55,000 lbs taxable gross

The federal heavy vehicle use tax (IRS Form 2290) starts here.

Running only inside one state? Many states require a USDOT number for intrastate commercial vehicles too — FMCSA’s list includes Texas, California, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Washington. See the state guides.

Liability limits for hot shot authority

FMCSA’s insurance chart for for-hire carriers of general (non-hazardous) freight has two tiers:

• $750,000 — vehicles rated 10,001 lbs GVWR or more;
• $300,000 — vehicles rated under 10,001 lbs GVWR.

Certain hazardous materials require $1,000,000 or $5,000,000. Which tier applies depends on your equipment’s weight ratings, so check the GVWR on each unit’s certification label and confirm it with your insurer before the filing goes in. The minimum is only a floor: broker and shipper contracts can ask for higher limits, so read them before you choose.

Coverage to build around the rig

• Primary auto liability — required, with the MCS-90 endorsement and the BMC-91X filing if you have your own authority.
• Motor truck cargo — FMCSA does not require it for general freight, but broker contracts can. See cargo insurance.
• Physical damage — collision and comprehensive for the truck and the trailer; a lender with a lien will require it.
• Non-trucking liability — if you are leased on to a carrier instead of running your own authority. See the owner-operator guide.

Quote checklist for hot shot

• USDOT and MC numbers (or your pending application).
• For each unit: VIN, year, make, model, GVWR and the value to insure — the truck and the trailer.
• Driver license class (CDL or not) and years of experience.
• What you haul, where you run, and the limits your brokers ask for.
• Loss runs from recent insurers, if you have had coverage before.