The Vehicle Behind Your Truck Is Your Responsibility, Too.
Physical-damage protection for vehicles while they are being towed or hauled
On-hook insurance — also called in-tow or on-hook towing coverage — protects an operator against physical damage to a customer's or third party's vehicle while that vehicle is being towed, winched, loaded, or carried. From the moment a wrecker hooks a car or it rolls onto a flatbed until it is set back down, the towed vehicle is in the operator's care during transit, and neither the truck's own auto physical-damage coverage nor a general liability policy pays to repair it. On-hook is the coverage built for that in-motion window.
For tow and transport operators, on-hook is the companion to garagekeepers: on-hook answers for the vehicle while it is in transit, and garagekeepers takes over the moment that vehicle is parked or stored on your lot.
What On-Hook Insurance Covers
On-hook responds to physical damage to a vehicle in your care while it is being towed or hauled, typically for:
Collision & Upset — Covers a towed vehicle struck, dropped, or overturned while being winched, loaded, or transported.
Fire — Protects against a towed or hauled vehicle damaged or destroyed by fire in transit.
Theft — Responds to the theft of a vehicle, or of the whole loaded unit, while in your custody during the job.
Specified & Comprehensive Perils — Covers vandalism, falling objects, and weather damage to a vehicle while in tow, where the form includes them.
Loading & Unloading — Covers damage during hookup, winching, and loading — the highest-risk moments of the job, where many losses actually occur.
On-Hook vs. Cargo vs. Garagekeepers
These coverages are routinely confused, and the distinction is what keeps a tow operator's program whole:
On-hook covers a vehicle while it is being towed, winched, loaded, or hauled — in transit
Garagekeepers covers a customer's vehicle while it is parked or stored on your premises
Cargo (motor truck cargo) covers general freight in transit, and on-hook is the towing-specific form for the vehicle itself
Auto physical damage covers your own tow truck or carrier, not the vehicle behind it
A tow operator relying on cargo or auto coverage alone usually finds the towed vehicle — the most exposed item on the job — is not actually covered.
Who Needs On-Hook Insurance
On-hook is essential for any operation that moves someone else's vehicle, including:
Light-, medium-, and heavy-duty tow and wrecker operators
Flatbed and car-carrier transporters and auto haulers
Repossession agencies recovering and transporting vehicles
Roadside-assistance and motor-club service providers
Mobile mechanics and dealers that tow or transport vehicles
Rotator and heavy-recovery operators handling high-value equipment
How Limits and Basis Work
On-hook is built around the value of what you tow, so the structure matters:
The limit should reflect the most valuable vehicle you would ever have in tow, not an average — a single luxury car, truck, or piece of equipment can exceed a low default limit
Multi-vehicle carriers need a per-occurrence limit high enough to cover every unit on the trailer at once, not just one
Coverage can be written on a legal-liability basis (pays when the operator is at fault) or a broader direct basis (pays regardless of fault) — the broader basis best protects the customer relationship
Deductibles typically apply per vehicle and per occurrence, which can stack in a carrier rollover that damages several vehicles
Real-World Claim Examples
A car shifts and rolls off a flatbed while the driver is securing it
A vehicle is dented or scraped during winching onto the truck
A towed car is struck by another motorist while hooked behind the wrecker
A repossessed vehicle is damaged en route back to the lot
A car-carrier accident damages several vehicles loaded on the trailer at once
Why Proper Placement Matters
Most on-hook failures trace back to a few placement choices, so getting it right turns on:
Whether the limit reflects the highest-value vehicle you actually tow, not a stock number
Whether loading and unloading are covered, since that is when most damage happens
Whether the basis is legal-liability or broader direct coverage
How per-vehicle and per-occurrence deductibles interact on a multi-car carrier loss
Exclusions to watch, including improper hookup or securement, vehicles over a stated value or length, personal property and contents inside the vehicle, and damage from defective towing equipment
Our Approach
At Cory Washington & Co., we place on-hook around the exposure that defines the job — the vehicle in motion behind your truck. We size the limit to the most valuable vehicle you would ever haul, confirm loading and unloading are actually covered, choose the basis that fits how you want to stand behind your customers, and pair it with garagekeepers for vehicles stored on your lot and cargo coverage where you also haul freight. We insure the operators who live on this coverage, including towing companies and repossession agencies.
The vehicle behind your truck is your responsibility too — we build the coverage so a tow, a winch, or a loaded trailer never becomes a loss you absorb.
All insurance descriptions on this website are provided by Cory Washington & Co. LLC strictly for general informational purposes. They are not intended to be, and should not be relied upon as, legal, financial, or insurance advice. The information presented is general in nature and does not guarantee the availability, terms, conditions, or scope of any insurance coverage. Actual coverage is determined solely by the specific policy language issued by the insurer and remains subject to underwriting approval. Nothing on this website creates or implies an agent-client relationship, binds coverage, or alters any existing policy. Cory Washington & Co. LLC expressly disclaims any liability for actions taken, or not taken, based on the content provided here. For advice regarding your particular situation, please consult directly with a licensed insurance professional at Cory Washington & Co. LLC or another qualified insurance professional, and always review your policy documents in full.
See what to confirm in a on-hook policy — what's standard, what's often limited, and what to add if needed — plus the gap most often missed, in the On-Hook Policy Feature Checklist.
Complete the On-Hook Supplemental online in a few guided steps, download the fillable PDF, or browse all applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get on-hook / in-tow insurance through Cory Washington & Co.?
Request a quote or contact our team. We start with a short conversation about your operations, analyze your exposures, then negotiate on-hook / in-tow insurance across multiple carriers that compete for your account and present options with the trade-offs explained. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
What drives the cost of on-hook / in-tow insurance?
There is no flat rate. The cost of on-hook / in-tow insurance reflects your industry, your size (payroll and revenue), your claims history, and the limits and deductibles you choose. We market your account to multiple carriers, compare the real quotes side by side, and explain what is driving each number so you can weigh coverage against price with confidence.
Do I need on-hook / in-tow insurance?
It depends on your situation. Some coverage is required by law; more often, on-hook / in-tow insurance is required by a contract, lease, lender, or client before they will do business with you — and even when it is not mandated, it guards against exposures that can be severe. We review your operations and obligations and tell you plainly what you need and why.
What if another agency has already declined or non-renewed my coverage?
Difficult, specialty, and previously-declined placements are a core part of our work. We access excess & surplus (E&S) and specialty markets that many generalist agencies cannot, and we explain the trade-offs clearly so you can decide with confidence.
Available in all 50 states. See how requirements differ in California, Texas, Florida, New York, or choose your state.