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A tow truck certificate of insurance shows customers, roadside networks and registration offices the coverage your business carries. Often called a COI, it summarizes key policy details so the recipient can review your insurance.
Insured ASAP helps towing businesses arrange coverage and prepare accurate certificates. Sending your agent the recipient’s requirements at the start makes the process easier.
What should a tow truck certificate of insurance include?
Review these details before sending your certificate:
- Business name and address: Your legal name, any applicable DBA and address should match the relevant application or contract.
- Policy information: Check the insurers, policy numbers and coverage dates.
- Coverages and limits: Confirm the requested auto liability, general or garage liability, on-hook, garagekeepers and workers’ compensation coverage.
- Vehicles and locations: Include a vehicle schedule, storage address or other details when the recipient requires them.
- Certificate holder: Use the complete name and address supplied by the organization requesting proof.
A certificate can list several policies. Review each required coverage rather than relying on the total number of policies shown.
Certificate holder vs. additional insured
The certificate holder receives proof of insurance. An additional insured receives specified protection under your policy, when the policy wording or an endorsement provides it.
For example, Agero’s published instructions request additional-insured status for general and auto liability. HONK’s public guidance describes optional certificate-holder information. Use the instructions for the particular program you are joining. Agero insurance requirements and HONK certificate guidance.
Send any additional-insured, waiver or cancellation-notice request to your agent before the certificate is issued. The insurer may need to approve a policy change first.
How are on-hook and garagekeepers shown?
Customer-vehicle coverage may appear in a designated section, the description of operations or a supporting schedule. Its name, limit and deductible should accurately reflect the policy.
Check both towing and storage protection when you keep vehicles at a yard. Garagekeepers legal liability and direct-coverage options have different terms, so the certificate should identify the coverage you purchased.
Workers’ compensation on a towing certificate
Workers’ compensation and employers’ liability may appear together on a certificate. Review whether owners are included or excluded, which employees are covered and whether a valid exemption is accepted by the recipient.
Ohio employers generally use the state workers’ compensation fund or approved self-insurance. You may need separate BWC evidence and employers’ liability documentation for an Ohio operation. Ohio workers’ compensation requirements.
Illinois tow truck registration certificates
The Illinois Secretary of State requires specific coverage and certificate details for tow truck registration. Check that the insured name and address match the registration, each vehicle is identified and the policy number is shown.
The state’s instructions also address certificate-holder information, timing, continuous coverage and cancellation notice. Review the official registration publication and our Illinois requirements guide for the full checklist and forms.
Can a certificate change your coverage?
A certificate reports policy information. Higher limits, additional coverage and endorsements must be arranged through the insurer before they can be accurately shown.
For example, if a new contract requires on-hook coverage that your business has not purchased, ask your agent to quote that coverage first. Once approved and effective, it can be included on the certificate. Texas Department of Insurance certificate guidance explains this distinction.
View a sample towing certificate guide
Our guide includes an annotated insurance-evidence worksheet, an Illinois registration checklist and a network comparison. Use it to understand the information a recipient may request.
Open the educational certificate guide
The sample is for reference. Obtain your business’s actual proof of insurance from your agent or insurer.
How to request your towing insurance certificate
Send your agent the recipient’s full name and address, its written insurance requirements, the job or agreement involved and your deadline. Include any trucks or locations that need to be listed.
Your agent will review the policies and prepare the certificate, coordinating any required changes with the insurer. Timing depends on whether the requested coverage and endorsements are already in place.
Need coverage first? We can compare available towing insurance and help prepare your documents once coverage is arranged.
Get a Tow Truck Insurance Quote
Review network insurance requirements and towing insurance filings and authority.
