Owner-operators are the backbone of Florida's freight industry — independent truckers who own their equipment and run their own business. Whether you're leased onto a motor carrier or running your own authority, your insurance needs are different from a company driver. Bright Coast Insurance specializes in owner-operator coverage programs that protect your truck, your income, and your authority without paying for coverage you don't need.
Own authority owner-operators have their own FMCSA MC number and operate independently — they need a full primary liability policy ($750K minimum), cargo coverage, and physical damage. Rates run $9,000–$20,000 per year depending on truck type and commodity. Leased owner-operators work under a motor carrier's authority and are covered by the carrier's primary policy while under dispatch — they need bobtail/non-trucking liability, physical damage, and occupational accident coverage. Leased coverage typically costs $2,500–$6,000 per year.
Florida law exempts sole proprietors and single-member LLCs from workers' compensation requirements for themselves. Most owner-operators carry occupational accident insurance instead — it provides medical expense coverage up to $1,000,000 and disability income replacement at a fraction of the cost of a full WC policy. Occupational accident typically costs $1,500–$3,000 per year and is required by most motor carriers for leased owner-operators.
Physical damage coverage (collision and comprehensive) protects your truck against accidents, theft, fire, and weather damage. For owner-operators, this is often the most important coverage after primary liability — your truck is your income, and a total loss without physical damage coverage could end your business. Coverage is typically written on an agreed value or actual cash value basis, with deductibles ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.