If you’re going to be driving hotshot, you’re in a unique insurance situation. It’s a unique line of work, after all, since you’re using a hefty pick-up truck to haul loads for a profit. So, it can be tricky to get your insurance all set up properly. One question you may have is whether you can work under someone else’s DOT, like an owner-operator. Now, that’s a great question, and we’ll explain why driving hotshot is different than being an owner-operator with a semi-truck. We’ll give you some helpful information about hotshot truck insurance.
Can a hotshot driver operate under someone else’s DOT Number?
So, here’s the deal about semi-truck owner-operators. With semi-trucks, it’s possible to write bobtail insurance or non-trucking liability insurance. Their primary insurance is through the motor carrier that they’re driving for. They’re operating under the motor carrier’s DOT Number and authority. It’s not too tricky or difficult, speaking from an insurance standpoint. But that’s not the same situation as having a pickup truck and driving hotshot.
Here’s why.
A pickup truck that could be used for hotshot (like a Ford F350) can still be considered a passenger vehicle in the insurance world. You can run errands, go to the movie theater, or take a relaxing drive through the country with it. (A semi-truck, on the other hand, can’t exactly double as a personal vehicle. You’re not going to be running errands with the tractor part of a tractor-trailer.) So, that’s why a typical owner-operator setup is not going to be offered to a hotshot operation. The coverages can get a little tricky.
So – to answer the question of whether a hotshot driver can operate under someone else’s DOT – the answer is probably not. The owner-operator arrangement that many semi-truck drivers have doesn’t suit hotshot trucking where insurance is concerned.
As a hotshot business, you need to make sure you’re properly registered. You may need a DOT Number of your own if the vehicle’s weight or configuration necessitates it (for example, if you have a gooseneck hook-up). You’ll also likely have to get your own authority since you can’t run under someone else’s DOT like a semi-truck owner-operator could. And yes, there are some expenses associated with all this, so it’s important to be prepared for that.
The moral of the story is that you need to make sure your hotshot business is set up and registered properly – and that you’ve got the proper insurance coverage to protect yourself. That’s where our team can help. We know that this can all seem overwhelming, so we would be happy to be of assistance.
Get started with your hotshot truck insurance quotes.
We can help you get the appropriate hotshot insurance to protect you from the risks you face. Our team of truck insurance agents understand hotshot trucking, and we’d be happy to have a conversation about your coverage. Get in touch with our team by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or message us on LiveChat and get started with your hotshot insurance quotes.