Tow Truck Insurance

Premiums typically range from $5,000 to $15,000 per year for a single tilt-tray unit doing a mix of accident and transport work. Heavy recovery vehicles and high-risk accident towing operations can be $12,000 to $25,000+ per year. Factors like vehicle value, on-hook limits, operating area and claims history all affect the price. Request a free quote from Shielded for an accurate figure.

Yes. Standard tow truck motor policies cover the vehicle while on the truck or in transit, but vehicles stored at your premises need yard or storage liability cover. This protects against fire, theft, storm damage and other risks while vehicles are in your care at the yard.

Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance is legally required for all registered vehicles in Australia, covering personal injury to third parties. Beyond CTP, there is no legal requirement for comprehensive or on-hook cover, but operating without it exposes your business to significant financial risk. Most towing contracts and state licensing bodies also require minimum levels of insurance.

If you have on-hook liability cover, the insurer will cover the cost of repairing or replacing the damaged vehicle, subject to your policy excess and limits. Without on-hook cover, you are personally liable for the full cost of the damage. Given that even a standard sedan can cost $10,000 to $30,000 to repair, on-hook cover is essential for every towing operator.

Yes. Fleet policies cover multiple tow trucks under a single arrangement, offering simplified administration, consistent renewal dates and potentially better per-unit rates. Shielded compares fleet options from insurers like Zurich, NTI, CGU, Allianz, QBE, Vero and Hollard to find the most competitive arrangement.

Yes, but you must declare the full scope of your operations when arranging cover. Accident towing carries higher risk than scheduled vehicle transport, so premiums reflect the mix of work. If you only declare transport work but regularly do accident towing, the insurer may dispute claims.

Shielded compares quotes from specialist transport insurers including Zurich, NTI, CGU, Allianz, QBE, Vero and Hollard. NTI and Zurich are particularly well-known for their understanding of towing operations. The best insurer depends on your vehicle type, work mix and claims history.

In Australia, truck insurance typically includes comprehensive motor cover (accidental damage, fire, theft and weather), third party property damage, public liability, cargo/marine transit cover, downtime or loss-of-use cover, and personal accident insurance. At Shielded, we tailor a combination of these options to match your operation -whether you run a single rigid truck or a fleet of prime movers and trailers.

Several factors influence your premium including the type and value of your truck, your claims and driving history, the goods you carry, your operating radius (metro vs interstate), the level of excess you choose, and the cover options you select. For example, a prime mover hauling dangerous goods interstate will typically attract a higher premium than a light rigid truck doing local deliveries.

You can reduce your truck insurance costs by increasing your excess, bundling multiple vehicles or cover types into one policy, maintaining a clean claims history, and using an insurance broker like Shielded to compare quotes from multiple insurers. We compare rates from Zurich, NTI, CGU, Allianz, QBE and more to find competitive pricing for your situation.

In the event of an accident or claim, contact us at Shielded Insurance on 1800 97 98 99 or reach out to your insurer directly. We recommend notifying us as soon as possible so we can guide you through the claims process and help ensure a smooth outcome.

Yes, if you need full comprehensive coverage on a trailer you don't own, you'll need to list it on your policy. Some policies include default non-owned trailer coverage up to a certain limit (usually $50,000 to $100,000), but this typically covers liability only -not damage to the trailer itself. Talk to us about your towing arrangements so we can ensure you're properly covered.

Yes, comprehensive truck insurance policies in Australia include cover for both fire and theft as standard. Third party property damage policies do not include this -you need at least a third party fire and theft or comprehensive policy. If your truck is financed, your lender will usually require comprehensive cover.

Yes, if you're transporting dangerous goods (fuel, chemicals, gases etc.) you'll generally need specialist dangerous goods liability coverage. Limits can range significantly depending on the type of goods and the distances travelled, so it's important to discuss your specific requirements with us to ensure adequate protection.

Most truck insurance policies provide coverage across Australia, however some policies include a radius-of-operation limit based on what you declared when the policy was set up. If you travel outside your declared radius, additional excesses may apply or you may have issues at claim time. If your operations change, let us know so we can update your policy accordingly.

We compare quotes from a wide panel of Australian insurers including Zurich, NTI, HMIA, Penn, Global Transport (GT), ATL, CGU, Vero, Hollard, Allianz, and QBE. We're not limited to these -the best insurer depends on your truck type, what you carry, and how you operate. As brokers, we do the comparison work for you to find the most competitive and suitable cover.

Truck insurance premiums vary widely depending on the vehicle type and value, your claims history, the goods carried, and your operating radius. As a rough guide, a single rigid truck may cost between $2,000–$5,000 per year for comprehensive cover, while a prime mover and trailer combination could range from $5,000–$15,000 or more. The best way to get an accurate price is to request a free quote through Shielded.