Truck insurance

Tow Truck Insurance

A tow truck is insured twice over: once as a vehicle, and once for the vehicle it is carrying. That second part, the customer's car hooked to your truck or sitting in your yard, is where nearly every serious tow truck claim lands.

5.0★ from 250+ Google reviews 60-second submission Licensed & Australian

Quick Quote

60 seconds

The company, trust or individual name the policy goes in.

No obligation. Subject to eligibility and underwriting.

Cover

What tow trucks insurance covers

On-Hook Cover

Damage to the vehicle while it is being lifted, towed or carried is not covered by your motor policy. On-hook is the section that responds, and it is the defining cover of this trade. Without it you are personally exposed to the value of every car you move.

In-Custody, Once It Is in Your Yard

A recovered vehicle sitting in your compound is still your responsibility. Fire, theft, storm and vandalism in the yard are in-custody exposures, separate from on-hook, and they run for as long as the vehicle is there — which can be months on an insurance job.

Working at an Accident Scene

Roadside recovery puts you on live traffic lanes, at night, around damaged vehicles and sometimes fuel. It is a serious public liability exposure and insurers price it accordingly. Recovery procedure and equipment matter to the terms you get.

Winches, Booms and Slide Trays

The recovery gear is specialised, expensive and does the actual work. Damage to it, and failure of it, are different sections. If the boom or winch is what earns the money, downtime cover should reflect that rather than the chassis value alone.

Accreditation and What You Are Allowed to Tow

Tow truck licensing is state-regulated and in some states tightly controlled, particularly for accident towing. Operating outside your accreditation is a disclosure problem that can affect a claim, so the licence position needs to be accurate at inception.

Cover, limits and examples shown are general in nature and subject to eligibility, underwriting and the terms of the issued policy.

5.0 from 250+ Google reviews

Reviews are for Stonewell Insurance, the business behind Truckie Cover. Authorised Representative of McLardy McShane Partners Pty Ltd (AFSL 232987).

FAQ

Tow trucks insurance questions.

Speak with our team on 1300 080 323.

What insurance does a tow truck need in Australia?
Commercial motor on the truck, on-hook cover for vehicles being towed, in-custody cover for vehicles held in your yard, and public liability for roadside work. The last three are what distinguish tow truck insurance from ordinary truck insurance.
What is on-hook cover and do I need it?
It covers damage to the customer's vehicle while it is in your care being lifted, towed or carried. Your motor policy will not respond to it. If you tow for reward, it is not optional — it is the main risk you carry.
Are vehicles in my holding yard covered?
Only under in-custody cover, which is separate from on-hook. Vehicles can sit in a yard for months on insurance and police jobs, exposed to fire, theft and storm the whole time. Yard security affects both whether it is offered and what it costs.
Does accident towing cost more to insure than breakdown towing?
Generally yes. Accident work means roadside exposure in live traffic, often at night and under time pressure, and in several states it is separately accredited. Describe the mix of work accurately, because it materially changes the risk being priced.

Ready to get tow trucks covered?

Tell us what you drive in about 60 seconds and we come back to you with options.

Truckie Cover is a trading name of Stonewell Insurance Pty Ltd (ABN 23 645 965 699), Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1285612 of McLardy McShane Partners Pty Ltd (ABN 14 064 465 309, AFSL 232987).