If you’re using a pickup or other light‑duty vehicle to move time‑sensitive, partial loads, you’re doing non‑CDL hotshot work. You don’t need a CDL policy, but you do need non‑CDL hotshot insurance to protect your truck and your business. Our top recommendation is Progressive Commercial Auto Insurance, and below we’ll share all our picks for the best non‑CDL hotshot insurance providers.
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Our featured partner for trucking insurance is Progressive
Progressive Commercial helps protect the vehicles your business relies on, from cargo vans and pickups to dump trucks and tractor-trailers. With 24/7 claims support, a large truck repair network, and online certificates of insurance, it’s easier to keep your fleet moving.
Fast, easy quote process
Customizable coverage
50+ years experience
Coverage in all 50 states
Why You Can Trust FreightWaves Checkpoint
At FreightWaves Checkpoint, our mission is to provide truckers and fleet owners with data-driven, unbiased insights into the products and services that keep the industry moving, including trucking insurance.
We analyzed dozens of trucking insurance providers nationwide, focusing on important factors like pricing transparency, coverage options, claim handling, financial strength, and customer satisfaction. We also studied real driver feedback and online reviews to understand how each insurer performs in the real world in terms of claims support, responsiveness, and ease of policy management.
Our editorial team thoroughly fact-checks all content to ensure the information is accurate, current, and relevant to what matters most to truckers looking for reliable insurance protection.
Best Non-CDL Hotshot Insurance
Here’s a look at the best companies that provide hotshot coverage alongside other trucking policies.
Do I Need USDOT/MC Authority for Non-CDL Hotshot?
Whether you need a USDOT number and/or MC authority depends on where you operate (intrastate vs. interstate), how heavy your truck and trailer are, and whether you’re hauling for-hire.
- USDOT number: Commonly required if you operate in interstate commerce and your vehicle combination has a GVWR/GCWR of 10,001+ pounds, or you haul placarded hazardous materials.
- MC authority: Often required if you operate interstate as a for-hire motor carrier transporting regulated freight. Private carriers moving their own goods often do not need MC authority, even if they need a USDOT number.
- Intrastate-only: Some states still require a USDOT number for certain intrastate operations, while others use different state-level requirements.
Why this matters for trucking insurance: If you need a USDOT number or MC authority, insurers may treat your operation as a higher-compliance, higher-exposure risk profile. That can affect pricing and what coverages you need.
Progressive Insurance
Progressive Insurance is well known for its auto insurance policies. While you might not automatically think of the company for commercial insurance purposes, Progressive’s expertise extends beyond personal policies. Progressive provides reliable trucking insurance to protect your business.
Coverage Options
- Primary liability
- Motor truck cargo
- Physical damage (comprehensive & collision)
- Non-trucking liability (bobtail)
- Trailer interchange
- General liability
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist
Special Features
- Build out the insurance needed to cover your entire business
- Fast, easy quote process
- Customized based on your unique needs
- Well-known insurance company for all types of vehicle coverage
- Founded in 1937 with a long history in auto and commercial vehicle insurance
biBerk Commercial Auto Insurance
biBerk is a small business insurance provider that’s part of the Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group. Its commercial auto policies are built for company-owned or leased business vehicles, helping cover injuries, property damage, and physical damage to your trucks and trailers, including for for-hire trucking operations.
Coverage Options
- Bodily injury and property damage liability for at-fault accidents
- Collision coverage for covered trucks and trailers
- Comprehensive coverage for theft, vandalism, fire, flood, and other non‑collision losses
- Medical payments/no‑fault/personal injury protection (varies by state)
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Coverage available for many commercial vehicles, including truck tractors, box trucks, flatbed and dump trucks, and dry van or refrigerated trailers
- Optional cargo liability add‑on for for‑hire trucking businesses to help protect the loads you haul
Special Features
- Commercial auto built specifically for small businesses and trucking companies for hire
- Fast online quoting and the ability to buy a policy, get ID cards, and manage documents entirely online
- Direct-to-business model that may offer rates up to 20% lower than some competitors
- Nationwide reach
- Backed by Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group insurers, rated A++ (Superior) by AM Best
Infinity Insurance Agency (IIA)
Infinity Insurance Agency, Inc. (IIA) is an auto-focused insurance agency that helps small businesses compare commercial auto coverage options from multiple carriers. Availability, eligibility, and covered vehicle types vary by carrier and state.
Coverage Options
- Commercial auto coverage for vehicles used to generate business income, including pickups, vans, straight/flatbed trucks, and eligible trailers
- Higher liability limits than a typical personal auto policy for vehicles used in business
- Collision coverage for damage to your vehicle from covered accidents
- Comprehensive coverage for many non-collision losses, such as certain theft, vandalism, or weather-related damage
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage where available
- Optional medical payments (MedPay) or personal injury protection (PIP) in states where offered or required
- Coverage that can be extended to certain trailers, depending on the unit type and occupation
- Policies available for one vehicle or a small- to mid-size fleet
Special Features
- Designed for small and medium businesses
- Ability to accept foreign licenses and consider drivers with less-than-perfect driving records
- Potential discounts, such as paid-in-full, prior coverage, multi-vehicle, and prior business experience
- Multiple coverage and payment options, including recurring card payments
- Automatic coverage for eligible newly hired employees who drive company vehicles
- Fully bilingual Spanish-speaking agents who can help tailor commercial auto and related business coverages
Liberty Mutual
Liberty Mutual offers commercial auto insurance tailored to various business needs, including coverage for non-CDL trucking operations. Their policies are designed to protect businesses against liabilities and damages involving commercial vehicles, accommodating a range of vehicle types and business models.
Coverage Options
- Primary liability
- Motor truck cargo
- Physical damage
- General liability
- Non-trucking liability
- Workers’ compensation
Special Features
- Risk control consulting to help minimize accidents and claims
- Access to industry-specific resources and safety tools
- Robust claims management system with 24/7 assistance
- Customizable coverage packages for fleets of any size
Hummel Insurance
Hummel Insurance is well-known for its expertise in the trucking industry. Based in Ohio, Hummel helps trucking businesses compare quotes from multiple insurers and can assist with coverages such as liability, cargo, physical damage, bobtail insurance, and trailer-related protection.
Coverage options
- Auto liability
- Cargo insurance
- Physical damage
- Non-trucking liability (bobtail)
- General liability
- Workers’ compensation
- Umbrella liability
- Trailer interchange/non-owned trailer coverage
- Rental reimbursement with downtime coverage
- Pollution liability
Special Features
- Quotes multiple insurance companies to help you find the best rates
- Combines your various insurance policies under one agent
- Long-term relationship to help you quote your insurance annually
Colonial Insurance Services
Colonial Insurance Services focuses on the trucking industry and has unique insights and experience working with these companies. Whether you’re managing a fleet or you’re an owner-operator managing your solo business, you’ll find the coverage options you need to protect yourself from liability.
Coverage Options
- Comprehensive
- Collision
- Downtime coverage of up to $100 per day, for up to 30 days
- Earned income coverage in case you cannot deliver a load due to a covered cargo loss
- Equipment, including ramps, binders, chains, and tarps
- Family emergency expenses of up to $2,500 if you suffer injury away from home
- Loan or lease gap coverage
- Loss mitigation/sue and labor coverage
- Pollution coverage
- Reasonable debris removal expenses
- Towing and storage of damaged equipment
Special Features
- Combined deductibles to pay one fee for all insurance needs
- Family-owned insurance company
- Simple, clear policy language from a helpful team
Lancer Insurance
Lancer Insurance
Founded in 1985, Lancer Insurance is a division of Core Specialty. With nearly 40 years of experience, Lancer began with a strong focus on the bus industry before expanding into a broader commercial insurance provider. Today, Lancer is licensed in all 50 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Coverage Options
- Bodily injury and property damage liability
- Personal injury protection (PIP)
- Uninsured motorist coverage (UM)
- Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM)
- Medical payments (med pay)
- Physical damage (specified perils & collision)
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- Cargo
- General liability
Special Features
- “Excellent” financial size IX rating from A.M. Best
- Insurance company focused solely on commercial needs
- 24/7 access to downloadable certificate of insurance
- Free loss recovery program to assist with out-of-pocket costs
- SafetyLink Hotline for additional information on loss control issues
- Safety Stop compliance blog access
- Business resource hub includes compliance library for FMCSA regulations
Non-CDL Hotshot Insurance vs. CDL Hotshot Insurance
Non-CDL hotshot insurance is designed for companies that use smaller trucks and other standard vehicles to complete expedited and last-mile deliveries. Because standard vehicles just need a valid license to operate, hotshot drivers aren’t required to have a CDL, though many still do.
Some companies do offer CDL hotshot deliveries that use Class 8 OTR drivers, which means you’ll need different insurance given the different risk class that the larger truck places you under.
Insurance companies make the distinction between CDL hotshot driving and non-CDL because of the difference in how much you’re likely transporting and how risky they view your business.
Non-CDL Hotshot Trucking & Insurance Considerations
Price
The cost of non-CDL hotshot insurance varies based on the coverage options you choose. Insurance companies will take how far you plan to travel, the trucks you’ll be using to transport the goods, and more to determine your insurance cost.
Non-CDL hotshot insurance costs vary widely based on factors like authority status, operating radius, cargo, vehicle value, limits, and driver history. Our industry sources cite annual ranges of around $7,000 to $12,000 for some single-truck operations, but actual premiums can fall outside that range.
Distance
The less distance your deliveries require, the less you’ll pay for your hotshot insurance.
DOT Requirements & Regulations
DOT requirements state that to be considered a non-CDL business, your vehicle and cargo must be 26,000 pounds or less. Even if you’re operating a smaller truck than a tractor-trailer, you might become classified as needing a CDL if you’re hauling heavier cargo.
State Lines
If you cross state lines, your registration and tax requirements depend on your weight, axle count, and operating model. Many lighter non-CDL hotshot setups may not need IRP or IFTA, while vehicles over 26,000 pounds, combinations over 26,000 pounds, or vehicles with three or more axles often do.
Competition
Non-CDL hotshot trucking is far more competitive than CDL trucking, mainly because there is less of a barrier to entry, and there are fewer regulations.
Pros & Cons of Non-CDL Hotshot Trucking
Pros
- Easier to get into than CDL trucking due to the lower cost of entry and training
- Simpler management of regulatory requirements than a CDL business
- Ample business opportunities to transport goods from warehouses through last mile
- Lower business expenses due to less expensive vehicle repairs and better fuel economy
Cons
- Highly competitive marketplace to get established in
- Limiting as to which jobs you can take on due to capacity limits or size constraints
- Constant need for prospecting and setting up jobs
- Livelihood is tied to less-lucrative short, quick trips
FAQ
What insurance is needed for hotshot trucking insurance?
To start your hotshot trucking business, you’ll need liability coverage for physical injuries and property damage as well as cargo insurance.
Can hotshot drivers sleep in their trucks?
You can rest in a parked vehicle, but if you want to log time under the sleeper-berth provision for hours-of-service compliance, the berth must meet FMCSA sleeper-berth requirements.
Can hotshot drivers team drive?
Team driving is possible, but hours-of-service compliance gets more complicated without a compliant sleeper berth. In a moving property-carrying CMV, non-driving time usually counts as on-duty unless it qualifies under FMCSA’s off-duty or sleeper-berth rules.
What are the FMCSA minimum insurance requirements for hotshot carriers?
For for-hire interstate hotshot carriers hauling non-hazardous property, FMCSA generally requires at least $750,000 in public liability coverage. If you haul certain hazardous materials, the minimum can increase to $1 million or $5 million depending on the commodity. If you move household goods in interstate commerce, FMCSA also requires cargo coverage, typically $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per occurrence.
When does “non-CDL” hotshot become CDL hotshot?
In general, hotshot work becomes CDL hotshot when the power unit and trailer combination has a GCWR or GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more and the trailer being towed has a GVWR over 10,000 pounds, which puts it into Class A CDL territory. If the combination stays below 26,001 pounds GCWR, FMCSA guidance says a CDL is generally not required just because the trailer itself is rated above 10,000 pounds. A CDL can also be required in some cases for certain hazmat or passenger operations.
If I’m leased on to a motor carrier, what insurance do I still need?
If you’re leased on, the motor carrier usually provides the primary liability coverage tied to its operating authority while you’re running under dispatch. But many leased owner-operators still carry their own physical damage coverage for their truck, plus bobtail or non-trucking liability for times they aren’t covered by the carrier’s policy. Depending on the lease and equipment setup, you may also need trailer interchange and occupational accident or workers’ compensation coverage. The exact requirements should be spelled out in your lease agreement.
