Tow-truck companies need a type of commercial auto insurance designed explicitly for them. A licensed insurance agent dealing with tow-trucking insurance realizes that each operator requires a customized policy specific to their location, type of work, and risks they encounter daily.
The cost of commercial tow-truck insurance varies with factors, which we’ll talk about later. For now, let’s say that the average cost of tow-truck insurance is around $450/month. However, the tow-truck insurance costs of an auto repair shop will cost less than that for a vehicle repossession business. Probably, by as much as $2,000-$3,000/year, mainly due to increased damage risk from angry repossessed car owners.
Topics
How Much Does Commercial Tow Truck Insurance Cost?
A towing company makes its living by towing or transporting disabled vehicles. Typically, these businesses could be:
- Auto repair shops
- Auto club contractors
- Roadside service providers
- Police contractors
- Auto salvage companies
- Car auction haulers
- Car repossession contractors
As you can see, there is a wide range of different companies needing a tow truck, with each company having its particular risks. Suppose your small towing business needs general liability insurance for coverage of one to two million dollars. In that case, you’d expect to pay from $100 to $160/month, depending on location, number of employees, and experience.
But, it’s not just the hauling part of the business that needs tow-truck insurance. The company also needs specialized coverage when storing the towed vehicle on its property and against damages while being towed. A good tow truck insurance program must provide cover for these aspects of the job and more.
The following table shows the main types of coverage present in a typical tow trucking insurance policy:
| Type of Coverage | Annual Average Tow Truck Insurance Costs* |
|---|---|
| Workers Compensation Insurance | $2,500 minimum |
| Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability Insurance | $5,000-$7,000 |
| Physical Damage | $1,000-$3,000 |
| On-Hook Towing & Liability Insurance | $4,200-$9,500 |
| Garage Keepers Legal Liability | $1,000-$1,300 |
| Wrongful Repossession & Liability Insurance | $10,000 |
*These figures are an average annual cost per vehicle and vary depending on your location, driver qualifications, and company profile, among other factors. We compiled the figures from Progressive Commercial, one of the leading tow-truck insurance companies.
Factors Influencing Tow Truck Insurance Premiums
Many factors affect the premiums for a typical tow trucking insurance policy. Some of these are within the towing company’s control. However, many factors, such as state regulations, location, and others, are unfortunately out of anyone’s control. Here are a few of the most significant factors.
Business Location
If your business works in a built-up urban area, expect to have higher premiums because of the denser traffic, with more chance of accidents than the national average.
Claim/Loss History
Before accepting your company as a client, the insurance company will also review your loss-run history. This is the record of all claims over the previous three to five years. The number of claims, even small ones, will increase your insurance premium, and if the claims are excessive, you might even be denied insurance.
Driver Qualifications
As with any vehicle insurance, the driver’s history influences the policy’s premium. However, a newly qualified truck driver already has a few years of driving experience, unlike a newly registered car driver. Therefore, tow-truck drivers usually drive more sensibly and are less insurance risk. However, because they have more driving experience, there’s more chance of them picking up bad habits. So, it’s not unusual for a new truck driver to have a few speeding tickets or a history of minor accidents. Therefore, their history will increase the premiums on the company’s insurance.
It’s worthwhile checking out your tow truck drivers’ MVR, anyway. The US Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires companies to obtain and review their drivers’ Motor Vehicle Records every year and keep it on file for three years. If you want help keeping the insurance premiums low, invest in continuous safety training based on what you find in the MVR.
Driving Radius
The distance your drivers travel will also increase premiums. High mileage, interstate, and international driving require higher liability insurance to comply with federal requirements.
Emergency Callout
A towing service operating outside regular working hours will have higher insurance costs than one working “9 to 5”, five days a week.
Policyholder Profile
Is the policyholder an individual operator or multi-vehicle company employing many drivers? How many trucks or drivers you have will significantly affect the policy and its cost. Furthermore, the insurance company takes into account how long the company has been trading. Tow-truck companies that have only been around for less than two years are considered a higher risk and pay more than those who have traded for many years
Safety Measures and Programs
If your towing company implements safety and training programs, such as:
- Driver road training
- Speed awareness
- GPS tracking
- Regular vehicle inspections
Then, you might be eligible for reduced premiums. It’s a good idea for the company to introduce these measures anyway, as they will make your business more efficient. But, if they also reduce your insurance costs, all the better.
Services Offered
The level of service that your company offers also affects the type of premium. You might offer roadside assistance, repossession, salvage, impound, or many more types of service. But, each one has a particular risk and will attract a specific premium.
Generally, the most expensive and challenging service to find insurance for is repossession. Usually, major insurance companies won’t cover this because of the high risk involved with wrongful repossession.
If your company specializes in this type of service, you should try a local insurance company for the repossession insurance while using major insurers for the primary general coverage.
Types of Insured Trucks
As you probably already know, tow trucks come in many different shapes and sizes. Different models have single, double, or even triple axles, rollback carriers, and underlift wreckers. All these have different insurance levels.
Generally, a larger truck attracts a higher premium, as do newer models that are more expensive to replace.
Vehicles Towed
You might not always realize that your premium also depends on the type of vehicle you intend to tow. Generally, the choice is between:
- New or used vehicles
- Vehicles that are disabled, or salvaged
- RVs and motorhomes
- Heavy equipment
- Trailers and boats
Difficult to manage, expensive, oversized, and heavy vehicles all attract higher insurance costs.
Discounts
You might think by now that everything makes the insurance premiums increase. That’s not the case. Insurance companies also reward tow truck operators based on:
- Safety programs
- Driving history
- Company experience
Many insurance companies also provide lower typical tow truck insurance costs for operators employing drivers with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) for more than two years. Some companies also offer Business Experience discounts for companies that have traded for a minimum of three years.
Additional Coverage
Tow truck companies also require additional coverage to protect against further liability. We’ve already considered some of these previously. But now, we’ll look at some of them in more detail.
Workers Compensation Cover
If your company employs drivers, you will require Workers’ Compensation Insurance to cover employees who might sustain injuries during working hours. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tow truck drivers are twice as likely as other drivers to suffer injuries and fatalities while at work. Even when compared with other commercial drivers, they have a higher injury rate. Tow truck drivers are at risk of being hit by other vehicles when loading a disabled or wrecked vehicle or injuring themselves due to bad weather and hazardous driving conditions. Finally, a repossession services driver might even be at risk of retaliation from angry car owners.
On-Hook Towing Insurance
Your customer’s vehicle might be damaged while being towed behind your truck. This insurance provides help with:
- Repair costs
- Vandalism
- Explosions
- Fire
- Theft
- Collision
Garage Keepers Insurance
If you tow the vehicle to your premises, this insurance covers your tow trucks and your customers’ cars against collision, theft, and fire when stored inside a secure or covered compound.
Liability Insurance
This insurance is made up of Bodily Injury Liability and Property Damage Liability Insurance. The “Bodily Injury” part pays the amount that the state says you are legally obliged to pay for injuries and other medically related costs. Typical costs include:
- All hospital and other medical bills.
- Rehabilitation.
- Nursing care, whether short or long term.
- Lost earnings.
- Funeral expenses.
- Other damages.
Property Damage Liability covers damage to third-party property. You also need this under state law.
Uninsured Motorist Insurance
Unfortunately, not every motorist buys auto insurance. Suppose your truck has an accident with an uninsured driver or suffers at the hands of a hit-and-run driver. In this case, insurance pays out on injury to your driver and any passengers.
Usually, as well as protecting against uninsured drivers, this insurance covers incidents involving underinsured drivers and uninsured motorist property damage.
Top 3 Commercial Tow Truck Insurance Companies
Many tow truck insurance providers offer policies designed for your business. However, not all companies provide policies with suitable coverage. The following three commercial tow truck insurance companies are among the best that provide an insurance policy designed specifically for your business.
1. Progressive Commercial
Progressive has supplied insurance since 1937 and operates in all US states. It is currently the third-largest vehicle insurance company in the United States.
Progressive Commercial’s tow truck insurance policies include:
- Towing and storage protection
Towing insurance can cover more than your typical wrecker or rollback truck. Progressive also offers the following:
- Garagekeepers Legal Liability insurance
- On-Hook Towing insurance
- Tow General Liability insurance
- Liability insurance. It includes two coverages: Bodily Injury Liability Insurance and Property Damage Liability Coverage.
- Medical Payments Insurance
- Physical Damage Coverage. This towing insurance consists of three coverages: Collision Insurance, Comprehensive Insurance, Fire & Theft with CAC Insurance.
- Uninsured Motorist Insurance. Uninsured motorist insurance for commercial tow trucks can include Uninsured Motorist Insurance, Underinsured Motorist Insurance, and Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Insurance where available.
Progressive Commercial Website
2. Liberty Mutual
Liberty Mutual offers a range of personal and business insurance policies. The company began trading in 1912 and has provided auto insurance since 1918.
Liberty Mutual started a program with Trinity Transportation Services LLC to provide a specialist service for tow truck companies. Together the Liberty Mutual Trinity Towing Program provides the unique policies needed in this industry.
The program’s tow truck insurance coverage includes:
- Commercial Auto
- General Liability
- Property
- Inland Marine
- Excess/Umbrella coverages for towing operations and vehicles
- Garage keeper’s coverage includes an On-Hook endorsement
At the time of writing, the Liberty Mutual Trinity Towing Program is unavailable in Illinois, Massachusetts, Indiana, Tennessee, Ohio, New Jersey, and Michigan.
Liberty Mutual Insurance website
3. Prime Insurance Company
Prime Insurance Company has been in business for over 40 years and specializes in high-risk businesses that need specialty insurance policies. Therefore, its policies might be ideal for companies that deal with repossession towing.
Prime Insurance Company’s commercial tow truck cover includes:
- Customized Specialty Liability Coverage
- Dealer’s Open Lot
- Drive Other Car
- Excess coverage is available
- Garage Keepers Legal Liability
- Garage Liability
- Recovery
- Towing – On-Hook & Cargo
- Wrongful Repossession
Types of Companies Which Require Tow Truck Cover
Any business that operates a tow truck must consider tow truck cover. These include:
- Auto salvage
- Auction haulers
- Roadside service providers
- Auto mechanic repair shops
- Auto body shops
- And more.
The insurance agent or broker will design the policy specifically for the needs of your company.
What Does Tow Truck Insurance Coverage Include?
At the very least, your commercial tow truck policy will include liability coverage for personal injury and death, in addition to property damage. Usually, standard commercial vehicle insurance covers this protection.
Ensure that your typical tow truck coverage also includes some or all of the following as a bare minimum:
Bodily Injury Liability
Suppose your tow truck is responsible for an accident resulting in injuries to other people. In that case, the policy will cover all medical expenses and funeral expenses if necessary. Moreover, the policy also covers legal fees resulting from a lawsuit. Usually, your policy covers claims of up to $1,000,000.
Medical Payments Insurance
This policy covers medical bills for the tow truck driver and any passengers.
Property Damages Liability
This policy covers physical damage to third-party property if you or your employees are responsible for the incident. Typically, there are options for maximum coverage of up to $1,000,000.
Uninsured Motorist
Suppose your tow truck is involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist. In this case (and if the driver is underinsured), you, your employees, and passengers in the tow truck will be covered for injury. This policy also pays out in the case of an untraceable motorist such as hit-and-run.
Other Policies
Some other policies you should only have if your business needs them. These include:
Garagekeepers Legal Liability Insurance
Protects your customers’ vehicles when parked on your property.
On-Hook Towing Insurance
Protects your customers’ vehicles while you’re towing them.
Tow General Liability Insurance
Pays if you’re legally liable for bodily injury, property damage, or personal injury that isn’t directly related to your covered vehicles.
Garage Liability Insurance
This insurance offers additional coverage to a general liability insurance policy.
Commercial Property Insurance
This insurance protects your property, including all company tools and equipment. Furthermore, it also protects the cars stored within your property.
Business Owner & Driver Requirements
To have adequate insurance, you must abide by specific state and federal laws. Here is a list of the most important.
Make The Business A Legal Entity
Go through the official legal channels to make the company a legal entity. That means that if anything untoward happens, you aren’t liable; the company is. And, it’s the company that holds insurance, not you. Furthermore, it also provides you with a second layer of protection if the insurance doesn’t pay out for any reason.
Get Your Permits and Licenses
Every state has different regulations for a tow truck business. Make sure you hold all state and federal permits and licenses.
Insurances
Tow trucks come under the category of commercial vehicles. Every state has its unique laws relating to commercial vehicle insurance, and you should contact your state’s DOT for the appropriate information. In addition, there are federal requirements too. Look on the FMCSA website, under Section 387 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations, for details of the insurance liability minimum cover for tow trucks that work across state boundaries.
Tow truck operators must also submit relevant paperwork:
- BMC-91 to prove sufficient liability insurance
- BMC-34 for cargo insurance
- MCS-90 for liability insurance and cargo liability insurance
In addition to the state and federal legally required insurances, some companies, organizations, and auto clubs such as the AAA require the tow truck company to hold specific insurance coverage. We consider state requirements in more detail later in this guide.
Drivers Licenses
Just about every state insists on drivers having a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). However, trucks crossing state boundaries must have a CDL as specified by the FMCSA. The type of license needed relates to the size of the tow truck, the weight of its load, and whether the towed vehicle carries hazardous material.
How Is The Policy Arranged?
A commercial insurance policy designed for tow trucks will also come with a policy agreement. This section is split into four sections that describe the policy, your coverage, and what exemptions are in place. Never sign on the dotted line until you read and understand the coverage. If necessary, get legal advice so you know exactly where you stand. Typically, the four sections include:
Declarations
This section lists essential information such as the policyholder’s name and contact details, business address, policy number, and start and finish dates for the policy. Moreover, you will also find the details of all drivers and vehicles insured under the policy.
There will also be a schedule of coverages. This schedule contains a list of:
- The coverages, for example, liability, on-hook towing, etc.
- The vehicles protected by each type of insurance
- Policy limitations
- The deductible for each policy
- The premium you expect to pay
- If there are any discounts applied to the policy, you’ll find those here too.
Insurance Agreement
This section describes the responsibilities of the policyholder and the insurance company.
Conditions
This section outlines the rules that the policyholder must follow to receive coverage under the policy. You will also find information explaining how to file a claim, including the documentation needed and the time frame within which the filing must take place. If you don’t follow the procedures specified, you risk being denied a claim.
Here, you will also find the procedures to follow if either the policyholder or the insurance company wishes to cancel the insurance policy.
Exclusions
This section lists anything explicitly not covered under the contract. These might include carrying certain types of cargo, intentional damage, or any damage exceeding limits specified in the policy.
State Requirements
We’ve already mentioned that tow truck insurance regulations vary by state. And that if you intend to do business across state boundaries, you also must obey the federal regulations. However, if you intend to stay local and work within your state, you only need to obey the minimum coverage required by state law.
This means that most states only need the submission of Form E for filing insurance information. This form indicates that your truck complies with the state’s minimum insurance requirements. However, some states also need you to submit a Form H, which confirms you have the required cargo insurance.
State Filings
Furthermore, as tow trucks are also commercial vehicles, you must submit state filings specific to large commercial vehicles. For example:
- California requires tow trucks to have a Motor Carrier Permit and an MCP-65 form to confirm your company has sufficient liability insurance.
- Florida requires vehicles with a minimum gross weight of 26,000lbs to submit a Florida Department of Motor Vehicles COI. This confirms sufficient insurance coverage and minimum limitations.
- Indiana requires all commercial vehicles to submit an SR509 to prove they have the minimum liability insurance.
- Colorado requires tow truck companies to file Forms 12 and 14 to confirm sufficient liability coverage for tow trucks.
- Likewise, Montana requires a form HQMV-5 for the same reason.
- As does Texas, which needs a Form T.
- New Jersey requires tow trucks weighing less than 32,000lbs to have liability insurance of more than $750,000 CSL. In comparison, tow trucks weighing more than 32,000lbs require liability coverage of more than $1,000,000 CSL.
Some states don’t require specific filings for tow trucks. Instead, they have additional insurance requirements over and above the primary liability coverage.
- Illinois requires tow truck companies to hold garage keepers liability coverage of more than $500,000 CSL. Additionally, they also need on-hook towing or garage keepers coverage of more than $25,000.
- Georgia requires tow truck operators to hold garage keepers’ legal liability insurance of more than $50,000.
As you can see, the diversity of requirements for tow trucks in the various states can be difficult to keep track of. Especially if your business intends to work across many state boundaries. If your company falls into this category, work with an insurance agent or broker to ensure your vehicles and drivers have adequate coverage.
Fortunately, SmartestDollar has collated all the state requirements across the US based on data provided by the FMCSA.
| U.S. State | Filings | Required Coverage/Minimums |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form E Form H OS/OW COI SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers ≥ 26,001 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $5,000 for household goods carriers |
| Alaska | ICC MCS-90 Form E SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers > 26,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $700,000 CSL |
| Arizona | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form E SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers ≥ 26,001 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL Property Motor Carriers 21,000 – 26,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $300,000 CSL |
| Arkansas | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form E Form H OS/OW COI SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers of Any Weight Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $130,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $5,000 for household goods carriers |
| California | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 MCP-65 California TL 672 California TL 676 California PL 914 California TL 1000 Form H OL 207 SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers ≤ 10,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $300,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $20,000 for household goods carriers Property Motor Carriers > 10,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $20,000 for household goods carriers |
| Colorado | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form E Form H General Liability (GL) SR-22 Colorado Form 12 Colorado Form 14 | Tow Trucks of Any Weight Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $10,000 for household goods carriers On-Hook Towing – minimum $50,000 Garage Keepers Legal Liability – minimum $50,000 |
| Connecticut | ICC MCS-90 MC1641B R1325D Form E SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers ≥ 18,001 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL |
| Delaware | ICC MCS-90 | Property Motor Carriers ≥ 26,001 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL |
| Florida | ICC MCS-90 Form E Form H SR-22 FR44 | Property Motor Carriers > 26,000 and < 35,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $50,000 CSL Cargo – $0.60 per pound for household goods carriers Property Motor Carriers ≥ 35,000 and < 44,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $100,000 CSL Cargo – $0.60 per pound for household goods carriers Property Motor Carriers ≥ 44,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $300,000 CSL Cargo – $0.60 per pound for household goods carriers |
| Georgia | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form E Form H SR-22 SR-22A | Tow Trucks > 10,000 lbs Bodily Injury Liability – minimum $100,000 for bodily injuries to death of one person and minimum $300,000 for bodily injuries to death of all injured persons Property Damage Liability – minimum $50,000 Garage Keepers Legal Liability – minimum $50,000 |
| Hawaii | ICC MCS-90 Form E Form H SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers of Any Weight Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $1,000,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $1,500 per vehicle and $3,000 per incident for household goods carriers |
| Idaho | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form E Form H SR-22 | Tow Trucks of Any Weight Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL |
| Illinois | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form E Form H SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers < 10,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $300,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per incident for household goods carriers Property Motor Carriers ≥ 10,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per incident for household goods carriers |
| Indiana | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 MC-2401 Form E Form H SR-22 SR-50 | Property Motor Carriers < 10,001 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $300,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per incident for household goods carriers Property Motor Carriers ≥ 10,001 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per incident for household goods carriers |
| Iowa | ICC MCS-90 Form E Form H SR-22 | Tow trucks ≥ 10,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $10,000 for household goods carriers |
| Kansas | ICC MCS-90 Form E Form H SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers ≥ 10,001 lbs Bodily Injury Liability – minimum $100,000 for bodily injuries to death of one person and minimum $300,000 for bodily injuries to death of all injured persons Property Damage Liability – minimum $50,000 Cargo – minimum $3,000 for household goods carriers |
| Kentucky | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form E Form H | Tow trucks ≤ 18,000 lbs Bodily Injury Liability – minimum $100,000 for bodily injuries to death of one person and minimum $300,000 for bodily injuries to death of all injured persons Property Damage Liability – minimum $50,000 Cargo – minimum $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per incident for household goods carriers Tow trucks > 18,000 lbs Bodily Injury Liability – minimum $100,000 for bodily injuries to death of one person and minimum $600,000 for bodily injuries to death of all injured persons Property Damage Liability – minimum $50,000 Cargo – minimum $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per incident for household goods carriers |
| Louisiana | ICC MCS-90 Form E Form H OS/OW COI SR-22 | Tow Trucks of Any Weight Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $500,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $50,000 per vehicle and $100,000 per incident for household goods carriers |
| Maine | ICC MCS-90 Form E SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers > 26,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $350,000 CSL |
| Maryland | ICC MCS-90 Form H | Tow Trucks > 26,000 lbs Bodily Injury Liability – minimum $100,000 for bodily injuries to death of one person and minimum $300,000 for bodily injuries to death of all injured persons Property Damage Liability – minimum $100,000 Cargo – minimum $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per incident for household goods carriers |
| Massachusetts | ICC MCS-90 Form H | Property Motor Carriers of Any Weight Bodily Injury Liability – minimum $20,000 for bodily injuries to death of one person and minimum $40,000 for bodily injuries to death of all injured persons Property Damage Liability – minimum $1,000 Cargo – minimum $10,000 for household goods carriers |
| Michigan | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form H DES-017 SR-22 | Tow Trucks of Any Weight Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $1,000,000 CSL Cargo – required for household goods carriers, but no limits are defined |
| Minnesota | ICC MCS-90 Form E Form H SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers > 10,000 lbs Bodily Injury Liability – minimum $100,000 for bodily injuries to death of one person and minimum $300,000 for bodily injuries to death of all injured persons Property Damage Liability – minimum $50,000 Cargo – minimum $50,000 for household goods carriers |
| Mississippi | ICC MCS-90 Form E Form H OS/OW COI SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers ≥ 10,001 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $5,000 ≤ 6,000-lb vehicles and $10,000 > 6,000-lb vehicles for household goods carriers |
| Missouri | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form E Form H SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers > 6,000 lbs Bodily Injury Liability – minimum $100,000 for bodily injuries to death of one person and minimum $300,000 for bodily injuries to death of all injured persons Property Damage Liability – minimum $50,000 Cargo – minimum $2,500 per vehicle and $5,000 per incident for household goods carriers |
| Montana | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form E Form H SR-22 HQMV-5 | Tow Trucks > 10,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $300,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $20,000 Garage Keepers Legal Liability or On-Hook – minimum $50,000 Tow Trucks > 18,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $500,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $20,000 Garage Keepers Legal Liability or On-Hook – minimum $50,000 Tow Trucks > 32,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $20,000 Garage Keepers Legal Liability or On-Hook – minimum $50,000 |
| Nebraska | ICC MCS-90 Form E SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers > 10,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL |
| Nevada | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form E Form H SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers ≥ 10,001 lbs to < 26,001 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $300,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $15,000 per vehicle and $30,000 per incident for household goods carriers Property Motor Carriers ≥ 26,001 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $15,000 per vehicle and $30,000 per incident for household goods carrier |
| New Hampshire | ICC MCS-90 SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers < 10,001 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $300,000 CSL Property Motor Carriers ≥ 10,001 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL |
| New Jersey | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form E Form H | Property Motor Carriers ≥ 26,001 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL Cargo – $0.60 per pound for household goods carriers |
| New Mexico | ICC MCS-90 | Tow Trucks of Any Weight Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL Garage Keepers Legal Liability – minimum $50,000 On-Hook Towing – minimum $50,000 |
| New York | ICC MCS-90 | Property Motor Carriers ≥ 10,001 lbs Bodily Injury Liability – minimum $100,000 for bodily injuries to death of one person and minimum $300,000 for bodily injuries to death of all injured persons Property Damage Liability – minimum $50,000 Cargo – minimum $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per incident for household goods carriers |
| North Carolina | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form E Form H | Property Motor Carriers ≥ 10,001 Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $35,000 per vehicle and $50,000 per incident for household goods carriers |
| North Dakota | ICC MCS-90 Form H SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers > 26,000 Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL |
| Ohio | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form E Form H OS-32 SR-22 | Tow Trucks of Any Weight Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $1,000,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per incident for household goods carriers |
| Oklahoma | ICC MCS-90 Form E Form H OK FORM WA SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers < 10,001 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $300,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per incident for household goods carriers Property Motor Carriers ≥ 10,001 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per incident for household goods carriers Tow Trucks Class G General or Class AA Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $100,000 CSL Garage Keepers Legal Liability – minimum $50,000 On-Hook or In-Tow – minimum $50,000 Bailee Coverage – minimum $2,500 Class AA-TM Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $200,000 CSL Garage Keepers Legal Liability – minimum $100,000 On-Hook or In-Tow – minimum $100,000 Bailee Coverage – minimum $2,500 Class AA-TL Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $300,000 CSL Garage Keepers Legal Liability – minimum $150,000 On-Hook or In-Tow – minimum $150,000 Bailee Coverage – minimum $2,500 |
| Oregon | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form E Form H SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers > 26,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $50,000 for household goods carriers |
| Pennsylvania | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form E Form H OS/OW COI or Escort/Pilot SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers ≤ 10,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $300,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $5,000 for household goods carriers Property Motor Carriers > 10,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $5,000 for household goods carriers |
| Rhode Island | ICC MCS-90 Form E Form H GU1338C SR-22 | Tow Trucks of Any Weight Bodily Injury Liability – minimum $250,000 for bodily injuries to death of one person and minimum $500,000 for bodily injuries to death of all injured persons Property Damage Liability – minimum $25,000 Cargo – minimum $25,000 per vehicle and $25,000 per incident for household goods carriers |
| South Carolina | ICC MCS-90 Form E Form H SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers Class A Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $300,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $75,000 for household goods carriers Property Motor Carriers Class B Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $500,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $150,000 for household goods carriers Property Motor Carriers Class C Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $250,000 for household goods carriers |
| South Dakota | ICC MCS-90 Form E Form H SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers > 26,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per incident for household goods carriers |
| Tennessee | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form E Form H SR-22 | Tow trucks: Class A and D Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $500,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per incident for household goods carriers Garage Keepers Legal Liability – minimum $75,000 On-Hook Towing – minimum $75,000 Tow trucks: Class B Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $1,000,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per incident for household goods carriers Garage Keepers Legal Liability – minimum $150,000 On-Hook Towing – minimum $150,000 Tow trucks: Class C Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $1,000,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per incident for household goods carriers Garage Keepers Legal Liability – minimum $200,000 On-Hook Towing – minimum $200,000 |
| Texas | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form E Form H Form T SR-22 SR-22A | Tow trucks > 26,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $500,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per incident for household goods carriers |
| Utah | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form H SR-22 SR-22A | Tow trucks ≥ 10,001 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 for tow trucks performing emergency service |
| Vermont | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form E Form H Form TA-VN-31 SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers of Any Weight Bodily Injury Liability – minimum $25,000 for bodily injuries to death of one person and minimum $50,000 for bodily injuries to death of all injured persons Property Damage Liability – minimum $10,000 |
| Virginia | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form E Form H SR-22 FR-22 | Tow Trucks of Any Weight Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $50,000 for household goods carriers |
| Washington | ICC MCS-90 BMC-34 Form E Form H SR-22 FR-22L | Property Motor Carriers < 10,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $300,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $10,000 for household goods carriers Property Motor Carriers ≥ 10,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $20,000 for household goods carriers |
| West Virginia | ICC MCS-90 Form E Form H | Property Motor Carriers of Any Weight Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $700,000 CSL Cargo – maximum: $20,000 < 10,000-lb vehicles and $100,000 ≥ 10,000-lb vehicles for household goods carriers |
| Wisconsin | ICC MCS-90 Form E SR-22 | Property Motor Carriers ≤ 10,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $300,000 CSL Cargo – required for household goods carriers, but no limits are defined Property Motor Carriers > 10,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL Cargo – required for household goods carriers, but no limits are defined |
| Wyoming | ICC MCS-90 Form E Form H SR-22 | Tow trucks > 26,000 lbs Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – minimum $750,000 CSL Cargo – minimum $10,000 for household goods carriers |
Compare Tow Truck Insurance Quotes
Commercial tow trucking insurance can be tricky to get right, especially as each state has unique requirements. This difference means that you could end up underinsured and at risk of heavy fines or worse. Furthermore, don’t forget the overriding federal regulations required if your business intends to work interstate or internationally. Alternatively, you might carry insurance that you don’t need, thereby wasting your company’s money.
The best way to overcome these problems is to get professional help from a broker who will pick the best coverage from different insurance companies or an agent who works for only one company.
Complete the form on this page, and you will receive quotes from various tow truck insurance specialists who can find the best policies for your requirements.
