Texas and Oklahoma Tow Trucks

A Tow Truck Website Dedicated To You

(877) 280-5300

My name is Steven Goss and I have built this site for tow truck and  wrecker owners or drivers.  As an insurance agent that specializes in insuring tow truck operations, I have become somewhat of an expert in your field, even for reposessor's needing repo insurance so I can do the best job I can as your insurance agent.  I have built this tow truck and tow truck insurance site to hopefully provide you with more resources and a forum to discuss whatever is important to you. 

Texas tow truck and wrecker insurance is very expensive, no two ways about it.  I hope you will go with me, a broker, with over 10 markets for tow truck insurance and use a guy that knows the towing business.  Oklahoma tow truck laws and regulations are strict, but nothing like Texas and most professional towers are glad.  This site helps guide you through all the new Texas and Oklahoma tow laws.  Please let me know if you need any other forms or applications I haven't included on this site.

We can package your tow truck insurance with some of our insurance companies that let you combine tow truck insurance with insurance needs for your body shop operations, including salvage yards.  Texas TDLR now regulates salvage yards and we know how to inexpensively provide you with the general liability insurance TDLR requires on your salvage yard.

I can also insure your tow trucks in almost any other state other than Texas and Oklahoma if you have been in the tow business for several years and have a good claims history.  Please call me and we can quickly discuss your insurance situation.

Need Information, Towing Applications or Insurance Fast?

1-877-280-5300

Classifications Of Texas Towing

The Texas Tow Act creates new classifications of tow trucks and operators. 

• Each tow truck requires a separate permit.
• Each driver requires a license.
• Incident Management (IM) Towing Permit – required for any nonconsent tow initiated by a peace officer
  • Tow truck equipped to tow light-duty or heavy-duty vehicles according to the manufacturer’s towing guidelines
  • Maintain at least $500,000 of liability insurance for the tow truck
  • Maintain at least $50,000 of cargo insurance for the tow truck
  • A tow truck with an IM permit may also be used for private property towing and consent towing
• Private Property (PP) Towing Permit – required for a tow truck used to perform a nonconsent tow authorized by a parking facility owner
  • Tow truck equipped to tow light-duty or heavy-duty vehicles according to the manufacturer’s towing guidelines
  • Maintain at least $300,000 of liability insurance for the tow truck
  • Maintain at least $50,000 of cargo insurance for the tow truck
  • A tow truck with an PP permit may also be used for consent towing but not for incident management towing
• Consent Towing (CT) Permit – required to a tow truck used  for a consent tow
  • Tow truck equipped to tow light-duty or heavy-duty vehicles according to the manufacturer’s towing guidelines
  • Maintain at least $300,000 of liability insurance for the tow truck
  • A tow truck with an CT permit may not be used for nonconsent towing including incident management and private property towing
• The Act requires TDLR to do a criminal background check of all applicants for an operator’s license beginning in 2008.  IM and PP operators will need to be certified by the National Drivers Certification Program of the Towing and Recovery Assoc. of America (or equivalent).
• All licenses and permits must renew annually.

SOURCE: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

New FAQs For Tow Fee Schedules

When is a tow fee schedule required to be submitted to TDLR?
Tow Companies that perform private property and/or incident management towing must file a schedule of all towing fee charges for non-consent towing no later than January 31st of each year. In addition, a tow company must file an updated schedule within 30 days if a political subdivision (a municipality for example) where the company operates begins to regulate nonconsent tow fees or changes an already regulated rate.

What is the required format for the tow fee schedule?
The tow fee schedule must be:

• on plain white paper measuring 8-1/2 inches by 11 inches;
• clearly legible;
• using black ink; and
• typed in 12-point font.

What information is required on the tow fee schedule?

The tow fee schedule must include:

• only fees or charges directly related to towing a vehicle;
• the name and certificate number of the towing company as it appears on the TDLR website;
• the effective date of the fees; and
• if different fees are assessed for different geographic areas, a clear description of fees assessed for one area and fees assessed for another area.

How can I submit my tow fee schedule to TDLR?

You can fax, email, or mail your tow fee schedule it to TDLR.

• Fax your tow fee schedule to 512-463-5984;
• Email your tow fee schedule to towing@license.state.tx.us; or
• Mail your tow fee schedule to PO Box 12157, Austin, TX 78701.
  
  

INFORMATION AND STAYING INFORMED  - Rule Changes

  - Rule Changes

How will I be notified of rule changes?

The easiest way to stay informed of rule changes and proposals for rule changes is to subscribe to the TDLR email notification system at:
http://www.license.state.tx.us/newsletters/TDLRnotificationLists.asp. Rule changes and proposals for rule changes are also published in the Texas Register.

Where can I get a copy of the proposed rules?

Proposed rules will be available for viewing and downloading from: http://www.license.state.tx.us/towing/towing.htm.

Dallas County Considers Towing Contracts, County Owned Lot

Dallas County is looking to have uniform towing contracts.  Read this full article.

Cities Begin Towing Uninsured Vehicles:

CITY OF DALLAS TOWING ORDINANCE - Letter from the City

Dallas Resident,

Beginning January 1, 2009 the Dallas Police Department will begin enforcing the Uninsured Motorist Ordinance, approved by the Dallas City Council on May 28, 2008. Under this ordinance drivers stopped for a traffic violation who cannot show proof of auto insurance meeting state requirements will be issued a citation and will have his or her vehicle towed at the owner’s expense. The City already tows the vehicles of uninsured motorists involved in traffic accidents.

The new ordinance is in response to the large number of people driving in the City of Dallas without the proper state required auto insurance. These uninsured drivers place an unfair burden on those who comply with state law and maintain auto insurance. The Dallas Police Department currently issues about 75,000 citations a year to motorists with no auto insurance. With the new ordinance, the city anticipates fewer of these citations as more drivers comply with the law to avoid having their vehicles towed.

To find out more about the Uninsured Motorist Ordinance that amended Section 28-4 of the Dallas City Code, please review the ordinance.

If you have any questions about this policy please call 311 (the City of Dallas’ Customer Service Helpline) or 214-670-5111 when calling outside the City of Dallas.

Comply with state law: contact an automobile insurance provider and obtain auto insurance.  It’s the law.

OKLAHOMA UPDATE

Oklahoma recently expanded their move over law to include tow trucks in their definition of emergency vehicles.  Its about time since so many tow truck operators are killed each year.  To read more about this story and watch a great news piece on it, click here.



Best Past NEW BUSINESS TIP:

Wrecker owners and tow truck drivers, make sure local insurance agents have your phone number programmed in their cell phones so when their customers call and they are out on the move, get a call from an insured needing help,  they can be a hero to their customer and also send you business!

PAST NEWS AND UPDATES

While the Texas Towing Act became effective on September 1, 2007, the major provisions of the Act that require drivers and vehicle storage facility employees to obtain licenses from TDLR became effective September 1, 2008. 

CITY OF DALLAS TOWING ORDINANCE - Letter from the City

 

• Beginning on January 1, 2008, tow truck companies are now licensed or registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.  
• Beginning on September 1, 2008, each tow truck must be permitted, each tow truck operator must be licensed and the requirements for criminal background checks and drug testing of tow truck operators become effective. Tow trucks and operators may be licensed as Incident Management (IM), Private Property (PP) or Consent towers (CT).  IM trucks and operators may also do PP or CT tows.  PP trucks and operators may also do CT tows.  CT trucks and operators may only do consent tows.  The Act requires TDLR to do a criminal background check of all applicants for licenses beginning in 2008.  IM and PP operators will need to be certified by the National Drivers Certification Program of the Towing and Recovery Assoc. of America (or a TDLR-recognized equivalent).  All licenses and permits must renew annually.
• Beginning on September 1, 2008, each vehicle storage facility employee must be licensed and the requirements for criminal background checks and drug testing of vehicle storage facility employees become effective.

Other Steven Goss Insurance Websites:

www.stevengoss.com - Texas and Oklahoma Insurance
www.mrtowtruck.com - Texas - Oklahoma Tow Truck Insurance
www.mrgeneralliability.com - Texas - Oklahoma General Liability
www.friscotexasinsurancequotes.com - Frisco Texas Insurance
www.888texas09.com - Texas - Oklahoma Auto Insurance
www.travelershomeandautoinsurance.com - Travelers Insurance