What’s the Difference between Hot Shots vs Expediters?
You might hear “Hot Shot” and “Expediting” used interchangeably in Commercial Trucking Insurance, but here’s the short answer:
- Hot Shots are usually 1-ton dually pickup trucks with gooseneck flatbed trailers.
- Expediters, on the other hand, can be anything from cargo vans and sprinters to straight trucks or even tractor trailers.
Keep reading to find out how Hot Shots and Expediters stack up—what’s the same and what sets them apart.
How are Hotshots and Expediters alike?
- Both Hot Shots and Expediters are time-sensitive trucking operations.
- They usually cover distances from 300 miles to way beyond that and require Unlimited radius insurance policies.
- With those long distances, many drivers don’t make it back home the same day—some are even on the road for weeks at a time.
- Most drivers are Owner Operators, meaning they own their trucks and work as independent contractors vs employees.
- When hauling freight for hire across state lines, FMCSA requires a DOT operating authority regardless of Gross Vehicle Weight.
What is Hot Shot Trucking?
A Hot Shot driver typically gets behind the wheel of a 1-ton Dually Pickup Truck with a rear axle that can handle at least 9,000 pounds. These trucks usually have a gooseneck or fifth-wheel hitch in the bed, which makes it easy to hook up to different trailers depending on what they’re hauling.
Once you factor in the truck’s weight along with the freight, the total GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) goes over 10,001 pounds.
Hot Shot drivers often specialize in moving cars or “toys” like motorcycles, boats, golf carts, RVs, and trailers. You’ll usually see them using 3- to 4-car wedge trailers to carry multiple cars or enclosed trailers to keep everything safe from the elements.
Some even deliver RVs across state lines by towing them directly behind the truck. And flatbed trailers? They’re a go-to for hauling machinery, farm equipment, or oversized items like HVAC units.
The cool thing about Hot Shot trucking? It’s all about flexibility, and there’s always an interesting load waiting to be moved nationwide.
You can see more FAQ at Hot Shot Insurance.
What is Expediter Trucking?
An Expediter can work with all kinds of vehicles – cargo vans, sprinters, straight trucks, or even tractor trailers.
When it comes to commercial cargo, Expediters handle anything time-sensitive, like auto parts, machinery, equipment, or widgets for production lines. They’re the go-to for getting things where they need to be, fast.
And it doesn’t stop there – Expediters can even take on time-sensitive freight that needs temperature control, like plants or food. These days, some cargo vans come equipped with Reefers, so with the right Reefer Breakdown Coverage, you can expand what you haul to include more than just general freight.
You can see more FAQ at Cargo Van & Sprinter Insurance.
Do Hot Shots and Expediters Need their Own DOT Authority?
Regardless of unit size, if you’re hauling freight for hire across state lines FMCSA requires you to have DOT authority and proof of minimum insurance coverage.
The only way around that is if you’re leased on as an Owner Operator to a Motor Carrier and hauling under their DOT authority.
Are Hot Shot and Commercial Van Insurance Requirements the Same?
No, One Ton Duallys and Cargo Vans/Sprinters hauling freight across state lines have different minimum insurance requirements set by FMCSA.
Basically, once you have DOT Motor Carrier authority, FMCSA requires you to carry a minimum level of insurance to stay compliant.
- 1 Ton Dually Pickup Truck with trailer and all larger trucks are required to carry a minimum $750,000 in liability coverage.
- Smaller units like Commercial Vans under 10,001 GVW are required to carry a minimum of $300,000 in liability coverage.
The type of insurance you need is called Commercial Auto Liability.
FMCSA Insurance Filing Requirements:
- Freight: $750,000 – $5,000,000, depending on commodities transported
- $300,000 for non-hazardous freight moved only in vehicles weighing under 10,001 lbs.
If you’re hauling with a commercial van under 10K GVW within your state only–Intrastate– the rules you need to follow will depend on your specific state.
Most expediters travel across state lines this blog is focused on the requirements for vehicles hauling long distances–Interstate.
You can also read more at What is the Definition of a Commercial Vehicle?
Why Do Most Hot Shots and Expediters Carry $1,000,000 Liability?
So if FMCSA says Hot Shots and big trucks only need $750,000 in Commercial Auto Liability–and Commercial Vans under 10K GVW only need $300,000–why are my brokers pushing for $1,000,000 in liability coverage?
Well, it’s because industry standards are usually higher than what the FMCSA requires. In commercial trucking, the standard minimum for Auto Liability is typically $1,000,000. And yes, this applies to Hot Shots and Expediters too, no matter what type of vehicle you’re running.
Yes, you can start your USDOT number at FMCSA’s lower limits, and some customers might not care about that $1,000,000 coverage right away.
But here’s the catch: at some point, a broker or shipper is probably going to ask for it. So, it’s a good idea to check with your agent to see how much that $1,000,000 coverage would cost if you needed to increase your liability limit later on.
Get in touch with a transportation insurance specialist–she’ll walk you through all these nitty-gritty details and more.
Once you two have chatted, she can help you more with this simple cheat sheet on How to Start Your Own DOT Motor Carrier Authority for a Van or Hot Shot–courtesy of CIS.
What do Hot Shots and Expediters Haul?
A Hot Shot with a 1-ton dually and a gooseneck trailer definitely has way more space than a cargo van—no surprises there, right?
As a Hot Shot, you’ve got a lot of options when it comes to what you can haul. Flatbed trailers are great for moving things like machinery, farm equipment, construction materials, or even air-conditioning units. Some Hot Shots prefer to focus on towing cars or “toys” like motorcycles, boats, golf carts, RVs, or trailers.
You can use a 3-4 car wedge trailer to haul multiple vehicles or go with an enclosed trailer if you want to keep everything extra secure.
There are so many ways for Hot Shots to make money hauling freight!
And if you’re an expediter working with a straight truck or a tractor-trailer, the sky’s the limit when it comes to what you can carry with all that extra space.
Cargo vans and sprinters are a bit more limited, but they still have their place. They’re great for smaller loads like auto parts, machine parts, plastics, repair pieces, or even refrigerated goods that need reefer coverage. You’d be surprised at how much demand there is for those kinds of runs!
Are the Cargo Insurance Requirements different?
To be clear, unless you’re a household goods mover, FMCSA doesn’t actually require proof of Motor Truck Cargo Insurance for Hot Shots or Expediters.
But like Liability—market demands often dictate how much coverage you’ll need to win bids.
For Hot Shots, most contracts start with $100,000 in Commercial Cargo Insurance, but the more common choice is $150,000. If you’re hauling higher-end cargo or multiple cars, you may end up bumping it to $250,000 over time.
Expediters, on the other hand, generally stick to $100,000 in coverage.
It’s a good idea to understand exactly what’s covered–and what isn’t.
Here’s a quick blog to break it all down: Commercial Truck Cargo Insurance Explained.
The cost of your cargo insurance is based on what you’re hauling and the coverage limits you choose.
How Much Should Hot Shot or Expediting Insurance Cost?
With Hot Shot or Expediting Insurance, there’s no such thing as “one-size-fits-all.”
We can give you a ballpark figure if you’d like, but honestly, they’re not accurate because premiums for this niche of trucking are all over the place.
A good solid estimate really depends on your personal details, like:
- Your insurance credit
- Age
- Driving history
- Vehicle type
- Radius
- Commodities
- Where you live*
* Check this out: Best State for Trucking Insurance.
Getting more than just a ballpark estimate only takes a few minutes—and it’s totally free!
Just chat with one of our trucker insurance pros at CIS. She’ll whip up a proposal for you in a few hours and even throw in some helpful tips along the way.
Who Has the Best Hot Shot and Expediter Insurance?
Right now, it’s all about GEICO!
For years Progressive was the go-to for both new and experienced Hot Shots and Expediters.
But now GEICO is in the game—and they’re making some serious waves.
Their premiums are awesome, so it’s definitely worth running your numbers to see how much you can save.
You can read more at GEICO Commercial Truck Insurance program.
CIS is proud to be the industry leader for Hot Shot and Expediting insurance, as recognized by Expediters Online.
We’ll craft unique quotes just for you with both GEICO and Progressive–and we’ll get you the best deal.
Why do so many Hot Shots and Expediters start and stay with CIS— check out our years of consistent 5-star reviews!
How Do Hot Shots and Expediters Find Freight?
Look—no amount of insurance savings will help if you don’t have freight to haul.
That’s why figuring out where your loads are coming from is key before setting up your DOT authority or buying insurance.
Of course, having existing customers is awesome, but let’s face it, most new businesses rely on solid load boards to get rolling.
If you’re running a Hot Shot, Cargo Van, Sprinter, or Straight Truck, you’ve got to check out MyVirtualFleet.com before you do anything else.
Why? Because they’re not just your average load board—they really go the extra mile:)
How does My Virtual Fleet help you win more loads?
- MVF shares the bid results with you so you can actually see what’s going on behind the scenes.
- MVF teaches you how to master line-item bidding—or help you level up if you already know the basics.
- MVF even shows you how to build your own direct customers, so you’re not relying on bid boards forever.
Just getting started as a new Motor Carrier? Or maybe you’re already established and want more options?
Either way, My Virtual Fleet helps Hot Shots and Expediters make more money!
Bottom line, get your ducks in a row and talk with experts before you launch any small business.
There are a lot of people who want to help you succeed, and are always ready to talk.
CIS (330) 864-1511
You can also start the conversation by filling in a few blanks online, we’ll circle around to help you with the rest: