What counts as hotshot
Hotshot generally means hauling time-sensitive, often smaller loads with a medium-duty pickup — typically a one-ton dually — pulling a gooseneck, flatbed or dovetail trailer. Common freight includes construction equipment, machinery, building materials, and oilfield support loads.
The misconception that costs the most
Being under 26,001 lbs does not exempt you from federal insurance requirements. If you're hauling freight for hire in interstate commerce, you need operating authority and the federally required liability coverage — the same $750,000 minimum that applies to a Class 8 carrier hauling general freight. Weight rating affects whether you need a CDL. It does not determine whether you need authority and insurance.
And as with any for-hire operation, brokers will generally require $1,000,000 in auto liability regardless of the federal floor.
The coverage problem specific to hotshot
The biggest issue is that hotshot equipment sits in an awkward spot between markets:
- A personal auto policy will not cover commercial hauling. If you're running loads for hire on a personal policy, you're effectively uninsured for your actual operation. This is the most common and most expensive mistake in hotshot.
- Fewer carriers write it. Some commercial trucking markets are built around Class 8 equipment and won't quote a one-ton. Others will, but you have to know where to look — which is exactly where an independent agency helps.
- The truck and trailer are often valued separately. Make sure both are scheduled and valued correctly under physical damage. More on physical damage →
Cargo coverage and what you actually haul
Hotshot freight skews toward equipment and machinery, which frequently exceeds the standard $100,000 cargo limit that gets quoted by default. If you're moving a single piece of equipment worth more than your cargo limit, that limit is the number you'd be paid — not the value of the machine. Read the cargo guide and set the limit to match your heaviest typical load.
Securement matters too. Cargo policies commonly restrict or exclude losses tied to improper securement, which is a live exposure on open-deck freight in a way it isn't in a dry van.
Leased on versus your own authority
Plenty of hotshot operators start out leased to a carrier before getting their own authority. If that's you, understand what the carrier's policy does and does not cover when you're not under dispatch — that's what non-trucking liability is for. Going independent instead? Start with the new authority guide.
Common questions
Do I need commercial insurance for hotshot trucking?
Yes, if you are hauling for hire. A personal auto policy will not cover commercial hauling operations, and running loads on one leaves you effectively uninsured for your actual exposure.
Does a hotshot truck under 26,001 lbs need federal authority and insurance?
Yes. Weight rating determines whether a CDL is required, not whether operating authority and insurance are required. Hauling freight for hire in interstate commerce requires authority and the federally mandated liability coverage regardless of your truck's weight rating.
How much cargo insurance do hotshot operators need?
The commonly quoted default is $100,000, but hotshot freight often involves equipment and machinery worth more than that. Your policy pays up to your limit, so the limit should be set against the value of the heaviest loads you typically haul.
Not sure what you need?
Tell us how you run and we'll shop it across our carriers — or just ask a question. No forms required.