Tow Truck Insurance in San Diego and California
Protect Your Business in San Diego With Comprehensive Commercial Towing Insurance
If you own or operate a tow truck business in California, it’s vital that you have suitable coverage, and for that you have come to the right place – Herriott & Mijailovic is an independent agency offering reliable tow truck insurance policies at affordable prices in the San Diego area and across the state of California. Whether you are an independent contractor, subcontractor, or towing company owner, having a suitable insurance policy is vital as it ensures that your business is protected against potential accidents and perils. Our seasoned agents will tailor a customized policy package that includes coverages such as commercial auto, commercial truck, liability insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance, collision coverage, and many others.
(619) 296-0005
At H&M agency, we work with top-rated national companies like The Hartford, Progressive, and Nationwide to provide policies that meet strict standards. This cooperation helps us find the right coverage that meets your requirements, and all that at great prices. We are a boutique-style agency with a long presence in the market, respectable in local business communities.
In a short time, we have become a leading San Diego insurance agency for small and medium-sized businesses from various industries, including transportation, logistics, retail, manufacturing, vehicle roadside assistance, and many others. With us, customer satisfaction is guaranteed. For more information or to get a free quote, fill out the form or call us directly at (619) 296-0005.
What Is Tow Truck Insurance?
Hauling incapacitated vehicles stranded on the road represents an invaluable assistance to anyone who can’t move their vehicle by themself. In a city like San Diego, where the traffic is heavy, owning a business like this plays a crucial role because it’s you who will jump in to clear the way and rescue disabled vehicles. For this reason, obtaining the right type of commercial auto insurance is crucial. In fact, you should obtain a proper tow truck insurance package that will protect your towing business against all the risks you may face on a daily basis. Be mindful of the fact that you need insurance for the flatbed and tow truck vehicles, both owned and leased. There are also policies that protect against the damages incurred to tow trucks or other vehicles in event of an accident. Common risks involve property damage and bodily injury claims.
What Is Covered?
When someone else’s stranded vehicle depends on your tow truck to haul it from the road, it is imperative to own comprehensive coverage that will fulfill your needs and the requirements of the state of California. As a tow truck operator you must check with local authorities jurisdiction-specific regulations to ensure you meet all the rules.
You are needed 24/7, so don’t let an unforeseen accident impact your financial stability. Instead, ensure you stay protected while you’re on the job by considering the following coverage options for your tow truck:
General liability insurance for towing companies
California state requires that any commercial vehicle must carry general liability insurance. It protects you from accidents that can impact your business by causing financial losses and operation delays. General liability insurance, also referred to as commercial general liability (CGL) or small business liability, covers the expenses in case you are held liable for bodily injury or property damage to a customer or third party. It helps pay for the following:
- Third-party claims for bodily injury or property damage
- Medical expenses
- Legal and lawyer fees
- Court costs and covered claims settlements
- Personal and advertising injuries
Collision coverage
Collision coverage serves to help cover the costs of repair or replacement of your tow truck in case it suffers physical damage, such as colliding with another vehicle, hitting an object, overturning or rolling. If you lease a tow truck, owning collision coverage is most likely mandatory. If it is fully paid for, this insurance may be optional.
Medical payment coverage
This coverage covers medical bills for you, your employees, and any passengers in your vehicle who are injured during an accident regardless of who is at fault. It includes medical treatments, dental care, rehabilitation, health insurance deductibles and co-pays, surgery, X-rays, nursing services, etc. The amount paid by the insurance company for each injured person is determined by the limit that you choose.
Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage
Also known as UMC/UIM, this type of insurance helps pay for the medical costs in case of injury or vehicle repair in case of damage, when an accident is caused by a driver who is not insured or does not have an adequate amount of coverage. It also covers hit-and-run situations.
Specialized Policies
Although insurance package for towing trucks is very similar to commercial auto insurance, proficient agents will recommend specialized coverages specific to your industry. Take a look at some of the options below.
Cargo coverage
This is a very important insurance as it serves to protect you against damage or theft of items inside the vehicle you are hauling.
On-hook towing insurance
This liability coverage is designed specially for towing trucks. It helps bear the costs of physical damage of your customer’s car or watercraft being towed (while they are “on-hook”) if it is damaged by fire, weather conditions (hail), theft, explosion, vandalism or a collision. Maximum limit ranges from $10,000 to $250,000.
Garagekeeper legal liability insurance
Garage Liability insurance is designed to safeguard your client’s vehicle while you are storing it at a covered location or parking. This insurance offsets the expenses of physical damage to their car while being in your care, in case it was caused by fire, theft, collision, or vandalism.
Additional Coverages for Towing Companies in California
Apart from insuring your vehicle, you should also make sure your small business is fully protected. Speak to our agents about obtaining the following coverages:
- Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) helps bear the expenses from liability claims for personal or bodily injury, product liability, property damage, etc.
- Workers comp insurance is mandatory insurance in California that compensates wages and medical bills in case your employee is injured at work.
- Business interruption insurance helps you easily overcome difficulties caused by disastrous natural events, such as fires, winds, hail, or hurricanes that caused you to shut your business down temporarily. It helps pay for the lost income and daily operating expenses.
- Fleet auto insurance covers all your vehicles under one convenient policy. Minimum number of vehicles to own to qualify is two.
Types of Trucks That Need Coverage
At H&M agency, we offer coverage for all types of tow trucks, including:
- Hook and chain tow trucks
- Integrated tow trucks
- Heavy-duty tow trucks
- Oversized tow trucks
- Wheel lift tow trucks
- Flatbed tow trucks
- Boom tow trucks
- Closed container tow trucks
- Rollback trucks
- Rotator truck
How Much is Tow Truck Insurance in California?
The exact premium is based on several important factors that must be assessed before you are given a quote. Our insurance agents are experienced with specific variables that influence the price of tow truck insurance, and you can expect to be asked the following questions:
- What type and how many tow trucks do you own?
- What type of services do you offer? (roadside assistance, auto-repair, salvage, rotation, etc.)
- What are your operation hours? Do you operate 24/7?
- What type of vehicle do you tow? (cars, RVs, motorcycles, boats, etc.)
- Have you acquired any safety programs required by the state of California? (Injury & Illness Prevention Program (IIPP)
- What is your claims history? (3-5 years’ worth is typically put into calculation)
- Do your employees have clean driving records?
Feel free to contact our office for a free quote custom-tailored to your specific needs.
Who Should Obtain Tow Truck Insurance
This type of coverage is highly recommended for the following types of businesses:
- Towing companies
- Tow truck drivers
- Impound lots
- Roadside service providers
- Auto salvage yards
- Auction haulers
- Auto mechanic repair shops
- Recovery service providers
- Police rotations
- Auto body shops
- Repossession companies
Why Choose Us for Commercial Towing Insurance?
Herriott & Mijailovic agents are on a mission to help small business owners protect their assets and enable them to produce income without interruptions or financial losses. We are renowned for caring for every client and offering highly personalized support. Our clients are our most valuable assets. Our agents are licensed to sell insurance policies from major national insurers, which allows us to compare rates, shop around, and design comprehensive policies at low cost. Some of the reasons why businesses and individuals choose our agency are:
- Highly personalized insurance plans
- Affordable rates & free quotes
- Boutique-style service
- Quick and easy claims process
- Strong knowledge of California insurance market
- Authorized to sell major suppliers
- Extraordinary customer support
Get a Free Tow Truck Quote Today! Call (619) 296-0005
Insurance policies for tow trucks vary by company, which is why you should ensure you review all options thoroughly with a licensed insurance agent. H&M provides competitive rates and makes the whole process quick and easy. It’s simple! Fill out the form and we will get in touch with you. You can also call us at (619) 296-0005.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main difference between commercial auto and tow truck insurance is that the latter has industry specific coverage options that can be added to a policy in order to meet industry’s needs. For instance, on-hook coverage and wrongful repossession are typically not included in a standard commercial auto policy.
If you are towing vehicles that are hired, leased, or borrowed short term, you should consider acquiring coverages for liabilities for cars hired under contract. Speak to our insurance representative about purchasing Hired auto liability coverage or Hired auto physical damage.
Here’s how the type of truck impacts insurance premiums. Typically, insuring a newer and larger tow truck will cost more than insuring an older and more basic one, as they are more costly to repair. Older vehicles have lower premiums because of their decreased value and higher probability of breaking down.