Texas Towing, Wrecker & Roadside Assistance Insurance
Underwriting brief for Texas motor vehicle towing (781 active Texas establishments across 67 counties). We compare 30+ TDI-admitted and specialty commercial carriers for towing & wreckers with fast Certificate of Insurance (COI) turnaround.
Texas Towing & Wreckers Market Footprint
Build Your Texas Towing & Wreckers COI Stack
Toggle the contracts, licenses, and equipment triggers that apply to your operation to pre-configure your multi-line quote.
Classification & Compliance Specs
- NAICS Code
- 488410 — Motor Vehicle Towing
- NCCI Workers' Comp Codes
- 7219 (Trucking/Towing), 8380 (Auto Service)
- ISO GL / Coverage Form
- Auto Dealers / Garagekeepers + On-Hook Towing
- Texas Regulator / Spec
- TDLR Towing & Booting Program (Tex. Occ. Code Ch. 2308; 16 TAC Ch. 86)
Texas TDLR strictly mandates tiered Commercial Auto Liability ($300K light-duty <=26K lbs; $500K heavy-duty >26K lbs) plus On-Hook Cargo ($50K per vehicle) filed via TDLR.
Where Towing & Wreckers Cluster in Texas
- Harris: 96 firms (12.3% of TX) • 667 employees
- Dallas: 74 firms (9.5% of TX) • 605 employees
- Tarrant: 57 firms (7.3% of TX) • 612 employees
Primary Loss Exposures
- Undercarriage, AWD transmission, and bumper damage while winching or towing vehicles.
- Roadside struck-by fatalities on Texas Interstate shoulders under NCCI 7219.
- Hail, theft, and catalytic converter losses inside Vehicle Storage Facilities (VSFs).
Key Endorsements We Verify
- On-Hook Towing Physical Damage ($50K light-duty minimum; $100K–$250K+ for rotators)
- Garagekeepers Direct Primary coverage for vehicles stored in your TDLR VSF lot
- TDLR electronic/certificate compliance with Vehicle Storage Facility (VSF) surety bond
Towing & Wreckers Insurance FAQs
What are the exact Texas TDLR insurance minimums for a tow truck?
16 TAC §86.400 requires $300,000 CSL + $50,000 On-Hook for light-duty trucks (<=26,000 lbs) and $500,000 CSL + $50,000 On-Hook for heavy-duty (>26,000 lbs).
What is the difference between On-Hook and Garagekeepers coverage?
On-Hook covers the customer's vehicle while attached to your truck/rollback; Garagekeepers covers it once dropped in your impound or storage lot.
Why do Texas impound lots need Direct Primary Garagekeepers?
Legal Liability only pays if you are proven negligent (not for Texas hail); Direct Primary pays regardless of fault.
Does towing insurance cover roadside tire changes and lockouts?
Only if 'Roadside Assistance' operations are disclosed on the Garage/GL policy—standard towing liability excludes non-towing mechanical work.