Hot Shot Insurance and the Weight Rules That Apply
A pickup and a trailer can look like a small setup, but once they are hooked together, federal rules look at the weight of the whole rig. Before you shop for hotshot insurance, here is what counts as a hot shot rig, when the combination makes it a commercial motor vehicle, when you need a CDL, and what coverage to ask your agent about.
What Counts as a Hot Shot Rig
A hot shot rig is usually a heavy pickup pulling a flatbed or gooseneck trailer. For federal rules, the weight that matters is often the combination, not the pickup alone.
That is measured by the gross combination weight rating, or GCWR. It is the higher of two numbers. One is the rating the manufacturer puts on the truck's certification label. The other is the pickup's rating and the trailer's rating added together.
When the Combination Makes You a CMV
In interstate commerce, meaning across state lines, a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or a GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more is a commercial motor vehicle, and FMCSA requires a USDOT number. A pickup that is under that number on its own can cross it once the trailer is hooked up.
Our guide to box truck insurance requirements explains the federal liability minimums and when you also need operating authority.
When You Need a CDL
Federal rules put a combination in Group A, the Class A CDL group, when its GCWR is 26,001 pounds or more and the trailer being towed has a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 pounds.
Many hot shot rigs sit close to these numbers, so check the rating plates on both your truck and your trailer before you plan your loads.
Coverage to Ask Your Agent About
Every hot shot operation is different, so go through these with your agent before you book your first load.
- Auto liability for injuries or damage to others while you drive
- Cargo coverage for the freight on your trailer, and what limit your brokers ask for
- Physical damage coverage for your pickup and your trailer, which your lender may require if either is financed
- Whether your trailer is listed on your policy, so it shows on your certificate
Hot Shot Insurance FAQ
Does a pickup's GCWR count when it is not towing?
No. Under the federal definition, the GCWR of the power unit is not used to decide whether it is a commercial motor vehicle when it is not towing another vehicle.
Does Fifty Bridges insure hot shot trucks?
Yes, in the states where we are licensed. Options depend on your state and your operation.
Related Coverage
Learn more about Owner-Operator Insurance, Cargo Insurance and Commercial Truck Insurance. More articles are on the Fifty Bridges blog.
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