Home › States › Texas

Texas Hot Shot Trucking Insurance

The largest hot shot market in the US — Permian Basin, Eagle Ford, and major expedited freight corridors. Get same-day quotes with proper FMCSA and TxDOT filings.

FMCSA Liability Minimum

$750,000

Required for non-hazmat freight under 10,001 lbs. Most TX load boards require $1M CSL.

Cargo Coverage

$50K–$250K

Oilfield equipment and high-value loads typically require $100,000–$250,000 cargo limits.

Workers' Comp

Optional*

Texas is the only state where workers' comp is optional. Occupational accident strongly recommended for owner-operators.

TxDOT Number

Required (intrastate)

Intrastate-only operators need a TxDOT number. Interstate operators use FMCSA authority. We file both.

Texas Hot Shot Market

The Nation's Largest Hot Shot Trucking Market

Texas dominates US hot shot trucking volume by a wide margin. The Permian Basin alone — centered around Midland-Odessa — generates more hot shot trips per day than most other states generate in a week. Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas adds a second major oilfield corridor, and the state's massive size means significant general freight and agricultural equipment transport on top.

Key Texas hot shot corridors:

Texas rates are competitive — near the national average for established operators. The high volume of hot shot activity means carriers have solid loss data for the market, which keeps pricing relatively stable.

Texas FAQs

Common Questions — Texas Hot Shot Insurance

FMCSA requires $750,000 minimum commercial auto liability for non-hazmat freight under 10,001 lbs GVWR. Most Texas load boards and oilfield operators require $1,000,000 CSL. Motor truck cargo is effectively required — most shippers and brokers require $100,000 minimum, and oilfield operators commonly require $250,000. Texas is the only state where workers' comp is optional for private employers, but occupational accident insurance is strongly recommended for owner-operators who sustain on-the-job injuries.
If you're operating interstate (crossing state lines — which most load board hot shot operators do), you need an FMCSA MC authority, not a separate TxDOT number. If you exclusively haul within Texas (intrastate only), you need a TxDMV registration and TxDOT number instead of FMCSA authority. Most hot shot operators are interstate and go the FMCSA route. We handle both types of filings and can advise based on your specific operation.
Texas hot shot operators typically pay $380–$650/month for a complete package (liability, cargo, physical damage). Rates depend heavily on: driving record, years in business, cargo type (oilfield equipment often costs more), vehicle value, and annual miles. New ventures — operators with less than 2 years of trucking authority history — pay a significant surcharge, often 40–80% above established rates. Clean MVR and 3+ years of history put you at the lower end of that range.
Yes, several differences apply for oilfield hot shot work in the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford. First, cargo limits are typically higher — $100,000–$250,000 rather than the standard $50,000. Second, some oilfield operators require additional insured endorsements on your liability policy naming their company. Third, some oilfield sites have site-specific requirements you'll need to meet before entering. We're experienced with oilfield hot shot insurance requirements and can make sure your COI meets the specific requirements of your oilfield clients.

Get a Texas Hot Shot Insurance Quote

Same-day quotes from multiple A-rated carriers. We handle FMCSA and TxDOT filings.

Get a Free Quote

or call 844-967-5247