Illinois Tow Truck Insurance Requirements

1. What insurance do you need to register a tow truck in Illinois?

The Illinois Secretary of State handles tow-truck registration and license plates. Its insurance checklist, VSD 404, lists the coverage below. A combined single limit (CSL) is one limit for covered injuries and property damage from the same accident. ^[1]

Swipe the table sideways to see all columns.

These are registration minimums. ICC approval, police rotations and customer contracts may require more coverage. VSD 552 explains the limited registration exceptions. ^{[1] [3] [12]}

What is the difference between garage liability and garagekeepers?

Garage liability helps cover claims for injuries or property damage arising from the business operations covered by your policy. Garagekeepers legal liability helps cover damage to customer vehicles at an insured repair or storage facility when your business is legally responsible. Each coverage has its own terms and exclusions.

If you have no repair or storage facility, you may qualify for the garagekeepers exception. The separate $500,000 garage-liability requirement still applies. ^[3]

For broader coverage options, see our Illinois tow truck insurance page.

2. Get your certificate of insurance ready

Your agent or insurer provides a certificate of insurance (COI) that summarizes your coverage. You submit it with your registration paperwork. The certificate shows the insurance you have; it does not change the policy.

The sample below highlights the information to review with your agent. For registration, you will need a current certificate issued for your own business and vehicles.

View the full-size sample COI image

What your COI should show

1. Issue date: The date in the upper-right corner must be within 90 days of your registration or renewal.
2. Business name and address: Both must match the vehicle registration.
3. Vehicle details: Include the year, make, model and VIN. Check that policy numbers appear in the separate policy-number fields.
4. Coverage and limits: Show each required coverage and confirm it is active. Where appropriate, your agent can use the state’s accepted statement that the policy meets the insurance requirements.
5. Certificate holder: List the Secretary of State. This identifies who receives the certificate; it does not add them to your policy as an insured.
6. Policy dates and cancellation notice: Ask your agent to check the two requirements explained below.

Provide insurance evidence for each vehicle. The state’s VSD 404 checklist covers the details above, including policy numbers and cancellation wording. ^[1]

Does your policy need to expire on December 31?

The certificate must show a December 31 expiration for the current registration year or state that coverage is continuous. If your policy renews on another date, ask your agent about continuous-coverage wording. The sample uses “Continuous Until Cancelled.” ^{[1] [2]}

Confirm this wording with your agent before registration. It must reflect what your insurer can provide, and your policy’s payment and cancellation terms still apply.

3. Complete the state insurance forms

The insurance affirmation form: VSD 941

The Tow Truck for Hire Insurance Affirmation (VSD 941) confirms that your truck meets the insurance requirements. The owner or authorized signer completes and signs it, then submits it with the COI. Use the official blank form linked below; the annotated image is a guide to the key sections. ^[2]

View the full-size VSD 941 annotated image

Get the official blank VSD 941 form

The state may ask for updated proof if it believes a vehicle is uninsured or underinsured. Provide the requested evidence within two calendar days to avoid possible revocation of the registration. ^[2]

When a coverage exception applies: VSD 552

You may qualify for an exception to certain registration coverage requirements. VSD 552 records the reason a coverage is not shown on your certificate. The form lists three specific situations: ^[3]

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List the affected vehicles, then add the authorized signature, printed name and date. The signer confirms the information under penalty of perjury. If your business is an LLC or corporation with no other employees, ask your agent to review the workers’ compensation rules; the form’s exception specifically names sole proprietors. ICC rules and customer contracts may also require coverage. ^{[3] [12]}

View the full-size VSD 552 annotated image

Get the official blank VSD 552 form

4. Find out whether you need ICC approval and filings

Some towing work also requires ICC operating authority, which is approval to provide certain transportation services. This is separate from registering your truck. Tell the ICC what you tow, who requests the service, where you operate and whether you remove unauthorized vehicles or offer storage. Those details help determine which program applies. ^{[5] [9] [14]}

If a program requires an insurance filing, your insurer sends proof of coverage directly to the ICC. This is a separate step from getting a standard COI.

Hauling vehicles for hire: Public Carrier Certificates

A Public Carrier Certificate may be required when you transport property for payment within Illinois. Towing has its own classifications and exceptions, so confirm which approval your business needs before applying. ^{[5] [15]}

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This table applies to the ICC’s ordinary, non-hazardous property category. Other cargo can require different limits. Form K simply notifies the ICC that an insurance filing is being cancelled. ^{[4] [11] [13]}

Some towing businesses may not need a separate cargo filing. For qualifying non-relocation towing, Form E can also confirm the required coverage for vehicles in your care. A separate cargo filing is needed if Form E excludes that protection. Your insurer should confirm whether the exception applies and that the policy still meets your towing coverage requirements. ^[6]

Removing trespassing vehicles from private property

Removing unauthorized vehicles from private property may fall under the ICC’s relocation towing program in participating counties. This program uses Forms E and H as proof of insurance and Form K for cancellation. ^{[8] [14]}

The relocation towing law lists minimums of $100,000 for injuries to one person, $300,000 per accident, $50,000 for other property damage and $15,000 per relocated or stored vehicle. Your registered tow truck must also meet the higher Secretary of State requirements. Your agent can help arrange coverage that satisfies both. ^[7]

Towing damaged or disabled vehicles: Safety Relocator registration

If you tow damaged or disabled vehicles in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will or Winnebago County, check the ICC’s Safety Relocator requirements. The location of the tow matters, even if your business is based in another county. ^[9]

Apply using Safety Towing Registration Form SRR-1. Your insurer submits the required insurance evidence through the ICC portal. Rule 1715.410 calls for Forms E and H for proof of coverage and Form K for cancellation. ^{[9] [16] [17]}

Under Rule 1715.430, the program requires at least $100,000 for injuries to one person, $300,000 per accident, $50,000 for other property damage and $15,000 per relocated or stored vehicle. Coverage must continue until cancelled. These amounts do not replace the higher insurance limits required for your tow-truck registration. ^[10]

Before accepting jobs, confirm your approval is active. Have your agent arrange any required filings with the insurer, then check the ICC Motor Carrier and Towers Search. Paying for insurance or submitting an application does not activate your operating authority.

Do your contracts or routes require more coverage?

Police rotations, roadside networks and other customers may ask for higher limits or additional coverage. Send their written requirements to your agent before accepting work. If you cross state lines, have your federal insurance and operating-authority requirements reviewed as well.

For help with the next step, see roadside-network insurance requirements and our towing filings and authority guide.

Common questions about Illinois towing insurance

Do I need garagekeepers if I do not have a tow yard?

You may qualify for the VSD 552 exception if you have no repair or storage facilities. Review all locations where you keep customer vehicles with your agent. The separate garage-liability requirement still applies. ^[3]

Do I need workers’ compensation for one employee?

Yes. Illinois requires workers’ compensation when you have an employee, including a part-time employee. The registration form’s exception is for a sole proprietor with no other employees. ^{[3] [12]}

Do I need on-hook coverage if I own my tow truck?

Yes, if you tow customers’ vehicles. The exception applies only when your business tows vehicles it owns. Owning the tow truck does not change that requirement. ^[3]

Does my insurance policy have to renew on December 31?

Your certificate can show a December 31 expiration or state that coverage is continuous. Your insurer must support that wording, and the policy’s cancellation terms still apply. ^{[1] [2]}

Can I submit the sample COI shown here?

No. Your agent needs to issue a current COI for your business, policies and vehicles. The sample helps you check the information before registration.