California requires $750,000 combined single limit for most for-hire tow operations, with certificates filed with the DMV. Workers’ comp is required from your first employee, and California applies the ABC test to independent-contractor classification.
Law: CVC 34631.5(a)(1), 34631.5(a)(2), 34631.5(a)(3)/(a)(4), 34631.5(a)(4), 34631.5(c), 34631.5(c)(3)–(4); CHP MCPP FAQ · CVC 34631.5(b)(1), 34631.5(b)(3)–(5)
Weight / class variation: General tiers: $750,000 (a)(1); $300,000 for carriers operating only sub-10,000-lb vehicles (a)(2); petroleum $1.2M CSL; hazmat $1M/$5M. Emergency moves: $750,000 regardless of commodity; secondary moves per commodity.
Tow-specific emergency-move rule exists (CVC 34631.5(c); CHP FAQ). Liability expressly excludes property being transported — no state on-hook, garagekeepers, or cargo minimum fills that gap (confirmed absence). The 2010 notice bullet mentioning on-hook/cargo insurance was dropped from the current 22651.07 notice (2018 amendment). CVC 22658 sets no insurance requirement. CHP Tow Service Agreement (rotation-only, CVC 2424) sets its own insurance schedule including on-hook/garagekeepers by class — current TSA schedule not confirmed from an official CHP source, so no TSA dollar figures are stated here. Local/city rules vary. Verified 2026-10-14: all fields resolved (figure or confirmed absence).
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Message us on Messenger Typically responds within 15 minutes during business hours. Prefer to talk now? Call · Text Get a quote for California →Independent-contractor test: ABC test for workers' comp (AB 5, Labor Code § 2775) — not Borello
Not required doesn’t mean not liable: if you don’t carry workers’ comp — even where it isn’t required for you — an injured worker may be able to sue you in court instead of being limited to comp benefits, because the exclusive-remedy shield generally depends on having coverage.
Minimums are the legal floor, not a recommendation — most operators carry more. Your operation (light-duty, heavy-duty, repo, rotation, motor club) decides which coverages fit. Take the coverage quiz →
Rotation is a local contract, not state law. Rotation agreements commonly require auto liability around $1,000,000 CSL, on-hook/cargo $50,000–$100,000, garagekeepers $50,000–$500,000, and the agency named as additional insured — check your agency’s agreement for its exact terms. Rotation readiness checklist →
More tools: state requirements lookup · workers’ comp lookup · coverage quiz · fuel cost calculator · rotation checklist
Informational only — not legal advice and not a quote. Requirements change — confirm the exact limits with your state DOT / public utilities commission and your rotation agreement before you buy. Minimums are the legal floor, not a recommendation — most operators carry more.