Our Services
Explore the diverse array of insurance services tailored specifically for tow truck operators offered by Robertson Ryan. From essential coverage like liability, physical damage, and cargo insurance to a wide range of specialized protections addressing the unique risks of the industry, we’ve got you covered. And that’s not all – we also provide additional coverages to meet your specific needs.
Comprehensive General Liability
This is coverage of your daily business operations, excluding motor vehicles. This usually covers slips, trips and falls, customer injuries on your premises and other risks associated with operating a business open to the public.
Often incorrectly referred to as public liability, this will be the first coverage you will obtain. Be sure to read your policy terms carefully as there are often many exclusions that require additional riders to be purchased depending on the scope of our operation.
Commercial Auto
This is liability coverage for motor vehicles owned by a business engaged in commerce that protects the insured against financial loss because of legal liability for motor-vehicle related injuries, or damage to the property of others caused by accidents arising out of the ownership, maintenance use or care, customer and control of a motor vehicle.
This is where you will purchase the liability insurance as required by your state vehicle code, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and / or your state licensing agency. Towers engaging in interstate commerce, which is most towers, are required to carry a minimum of $1 million of commercial auto. Intrastate tower requirements vary from state to state, however, the typical amount required is at least $750,000.
To confuse matters more, the FMCSA does not use the proper National Association of Insurance Commissioners definition; rather they refer to this as public liability. This has cause some confusion by towers when thy first start their company, often resulting in their application for operating authority with the FMCSA being denied.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist
This is exactly what it sounds like, optional coverage that protects you, any passengers, and your driver from injuries sustained by crashes with improperly insured motorists.
To cut costs, many towers will deny this coverage, take only the state-required minimums or limit their right to sue for damages. This is very short-sighted, as the costs for injuries sustained by passengers riding in your truck or your employees in the course of their job can be expensive.
Without the proper primary coverages, secondary liability may not cover these injuries.
Physical Damage
This is another trucking industry term for a group of coverages, although not an official NAIC term. The coverages included under this heading include collision, comprehensive and fire/theft/vandalism. These coverages vary greatly from policy to policy are not always equally defined, even when the same terminology is used. An example is fire and theft. In some policies this may be include in the comprehensive, while others may only offer it as a separate item.
On-Hook
This is another coverage that is not properly named and is often misunderstood. The term has carried over from the crane and rigging industry; where it refers to liability coverage for whatever is below the hook on a crane as they are lifting.
In the towing industry, On Hook, is found as part of our Garagekeepers Legal Liability Policy, under the care, custody and control portion. It is very important to note that on hook, as it is applied to the towing industry, only covers motor vehicles while being towed or transported by carrier. It does not cover cargo!
Cargo
This coverage is required for anything that you transport with your commercial vehicles that is not motor vehicle. This would include containers, construction equipment and even the contents of wrecked trucks once you have transferred it onto one of your own vehicles.
As with On Hook, the insured can decide how much cargo insurance they purchase. I recommend checking with your state regulatory agencies and reviewing your contracts to be sure you have purchased adequate coverage levels.