Quick answer: the word “insured” is not enough
There is an important difference between a towing operator having insurance for their own truck and having insurance that may respond if a customer's vehicle is damaged while it is being loaded, transported or unloaded. Not every policy covers the same things.
An uninsured operator, or one without insurance relevant to your vehicle and transport job, may leave an accident or damage dispute much harder to resolve. You may still have legal rights against the operator, but recovering the cost can be more complicated. Likewise, choosing an insured operator does not guarantee every type of damage will be covered: policy terms, limits and exclusions still matter.
“Does your insurance cover my vehicle during loading, transport and unloading — and what are the limits or exclusions?”
What insurance can matter for a towing job?
Different policies cover different risks. Common categories worth asking about include:
- Commercial motor insurance: cover relating to the tow truck itself. It does not automatically insure a customer's car on the tray.
- Vehicle-in-transit, on-hook or carrier's liability cover: depending on the wording, may respond to particular damage involving a customer's vehicle during loading, carriage or unloading.
- Marine transit insurance: despite its name, some policies can cover goods or vehicles moved by road. Whether it applies to your particular tow depends on the policy's insured activities and wording.
- Public liability insurance: may cover certain third-party injury or property-damage liabilities. Do not assume it also covers a vehicle in the operator's care or control.
- Vehicle storage or care, custody and control cover: relevant if a business stores a customer's vehicle. Storage is not necessarily included in on-hook or transit cover.
CTP is different again: compulsory third party insurance concerns personal injury, not ordinary repair costs for damage to the car being towed.
Insured vs uninsured towing: what is the practical difference?
- Operator with suitable current cover: there may be an insurance pathway for a covered loss, subject to the policy and circumstances. Ask to confirm that your vehicle, its value and the type of job are included.
- Operator without relevant cover: there may be no applicable towing insurance policy to respond if something goes wrong. You may have to pursue the operator directly or use another applicable process.
- Operator who simply says “fully insured”: the label alone tells you very little. Ask what is insured, for how much, and during which stages of the tow.
Neither the lowest price nor the most expensive truck proves the operator's insurance position. Verify the details rather than making assumptions.
Seven questions to ask before booking a tow truck
1. Is the business insured for the type of towing I need?
A scheduled workshop transfer, breakdown pickup, low-clearance car, motorcycle, prestige vehicle or machinery move may present different insurance risks. Describe the vehicle and job accurately and ask whether the operator's insurance arrangements extend to that work.
2. What happens if my vehicle is damaged during loading or unloading?
Damage can occur before a vehicle is fully on the truck or after it reaches the destination. Ask whether loading and unloading are included in the applicable policy and whether special conditions apply.
3. Is my vehicle's value within the policy limit?
A standard hatchback, imported prestige car, modified four-wheel-drive or piece of equipment can have very different values. Ask whether there is a per-vehicle limit and whether special approval is needed for high-value assets.
4. Are there exclusions for the vehicle or collection conditions?
Tell the operator if the car has locked wheels, no keys, low clearance, unusual dimensions, damage or restricted access. Insurance and safe-loading requirements may change depending on those details. TowFast Brisbane does not provide underground car-park recovery.
5. Who is actually collecting my vehicle?
If another operator or subcontractor is dispatched, confirm which business is performing the tow and whose insurance applies. A booking platform or dispatcher is not automatically the same business as the truck operator.
6. Can you confirm that the relevant cover is current?
It is reasonable to request a certificate of currency or written confirmation of the relevant insurance where available. Check the insured business, policy period, type of work, applicable limits and major exclusions. A certificate alone does not replace the full policy wording.
7. Is the whole job clear before I agree?
Ask for the pickup and drop-off locations, towing price, possible extra charges, vehicle condition requirements, access arrangements and delivery instructions to be confirmed. A clear quote and careful handling are important alongside suitable insurance.
Does cheaper towing mean the operator is uninsured?
No. Some smaller or more efficient operators offer competitive prices and carry suitable insurance. Others may have policies that do not extend to every vehicle or activity. A price on its own proves neither insurance coverage nor the quality of a towing service.
Rather than judging a business by price alone, compare the full quote, experience with your type of vehicle, safe-loading approach, communication and relevant insurance. Our guide to comparing towing quotes in Brisbane explains the other details worth checking before dispatch.
Queensland rules: breakdown towing is different from crash towing
Queensland's Tow Truck Scheme applies to particular regulated towing activities, including defined crash, police-seizure and private-property towing in regulated areas. The Department of Transport and Main Roads says the scheme does not regulate ordinary vehicle breakdown or trade towing.
That means you should not assume a breakdown operator is unlawful merely because they do not hold the accreditation used for regulated crash towing. Insurance, road safety and other applicable business obligations are separate questions. TowFast Brisbane focuses on breakdown towing, tilt-tray vehicle transport and scheduled non-accident towing, not accident-scene towing.
How TowFast Brisbane approaches insured vehicle transport
TowFast Brisbane carries insurance arrangements for its towing and vehicle transport work, including marine transit cover. Cover is always subject to the relevant policy wording, limits, exclusions and circumstances of the job. We encourage customers to tell us the vehicle type, condition, value and loading requirements so we can discuss the applicable arrangements before booking.
Our services include breakdown towing, car towing, tilt-tray transport and scheduled vehicle transport across Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich and Redlands, subject to truck suitability, access and availability.
Speak to TowFast Brisbane about your pickup, destination, vehicle details, loading conditions, current availability and the insurance arrangements relevant to your job. Call 0434 869 062 or request a towing quote online.
Frequently asked questions
Does an insured tow truck automatically mean my car is covered?
No. Insurance for the tow truck itself is not the same as cover for a customer vehicle being loaded, carried or unloaded. Ask the operator what insurance applies to your particular vehicle and job, including limits and exclusions.
What is on-hook or goods-in-transit insurance for towing?
Depending on the insurer and policy, these types of cover may respond to certain damage to a customer vehicle during loading, towing, transport or unloading. Names, insured events and conditions vary, so ask what the policy actually covers.
Does compulsory third party (CTP) insurance cover damage to my car?
CTP generally covers liability for certain personal injuries arising from motor vehicle accidents. It is not comprehensive cover for damage to the car being transported.
Can I ask a towing operator for proof of insurance?
Yes. Ask the operator to confirm current insurance relevant to your vehicle and job, including the insured business, cover type, policy limits and important exclusions. You can request a certificate of currency or written confirmation where available.
Are breakdown towing and crash-scene towing regulated the same way in Queensland?
No. Queensland Transport and Main Roads says its regulated tow truck scheme covers defined crash, police-seizure and private-property towing, but not ordinary breakdown or trade towing. Different rules apply depending on the job.
Is every towing-related scratch or damage automatically paid by an insurer?
No. A claim depends on the cause of damage, the policy wording, exclusions, excesses and other conditions. Insurance is important, but it is not a blanket guarantee of payment.
Official information and further reading
For the scope of Queensland's regulated tow truck scheme, see the Department of Transport and Main Roads. For an overview of business insurance types, visit business.gov.au. Insurance information in this guide is general; it is not advice on the cover afforded by any particular policy or a guarantee that a claim will be paid.