The truck
Three-quarter-ton pickups, one-ton duallies and Class 4 or 5 chassis cabs are common. Physical damage coverage pays for repairs or replacement after collisions, theft, fire or weather, subject to deductibles. Insure the truck at a realistic value.
The trailer
Gooseneck and bumper-pull flatbeds, tilt decks and car hauler trailers need to be listed on the policy to be covered for physical damage. Insurers may ask for the trailer's length, its weight rating and its value. If you swap trailers, tell your agent.
Ratings and registration
Gross vehicle weight rating and gross combination weight rating come from the manufacturer and appear on the door sticker or trailer plate. They decide which federal rules apply and how the rig is registered. Make sure the registration, the insurance application and the actual equipment all match.
Add-ons and custom equipment
- Flatbed bodies replacing the pickup bed
- Toolboxes and headache racks
- Winches and hydraulic ramps
- Lighting and safety equipment
- GPS and dash cameras
Safety equipment that helps
Dash cameras can help show what happened in a crash. Insurers may ask whether you use them, along with electronic logging and telematics.
Parking and theft
Hotshot rigs are often parked at home, at truck stops or at job sites overnight. Trailers without a truck attached are easy targets. Use coupler and hitch locks, park in lit areas and record VINs and serial numbers, and ask whether the policy has conditions for unattended equipment.
Replacing equipment
When you replace a truck or trailer, add the new unit before its first trip.
Frequently asked questions
Does my pickup's personal policy cover hotshot work?
Personal auto policies usually exclude for-hire hauling. Hotshot work needs a commercial policy.