New Jersey has tow-specific limits — $750,000 for light-medium-duty tow trucks and $1,000,000 for heavy-duty — but its general commercial-vehicle law reaches higher: combined, the operative rule is $750,000 up to 26,001 lbs GVWR and $1,500,000 above. The state sets no on-hook, garagekeepers, or cargo minimum.
Law: N.J.S.A. 39:3-84.8; N.J.S.A. 39:6B-1 (P.L. 2023, c. 276, eff. July 1, 2024) · N.J.S.A. 39:3-84.8; 39:6B-1
Weight / class variation: Tow-specific splits at 32,000 lbs GVW (light-medium vs. heavy-duty). General law splits at 26,001 lbs GVWR. Combined rule: $750,000 up to 26,001 lbs GVWR; $1,500,000 above.
Tow-specific limits (39:3-84.8) verified from P.L. 2007, c. 193. NJ's general CMV law (P.L. 2023, c. 276, N.J.S.A. 39:6B-1, eff. July 1, 2024) applies to tow trucks — no tow exemption; CMV definition includes commercially registered vehicles — and its $1,500,000 tier (26,001+ lbs GVWR) exceeds the tow-specific $1,000,000 heavy-duty figure. Combined rule (higher controls, per DOBI banding): $750,000 up to 26,001 lbs GVWR; $1,500,000 above. Note the split bases differ: tow-specific splits at 32,000 lbs GVW; general law splits at 26,001 lbs GVWR. 39:6B-1 reaches vehicles registered or principally garaged in NJ, including NJ-garaged vehicles traveling interstate (DOBI). No statewide on-hook, garagekeepers, or cargo minimum — 39:3-84.8 requires only disclosure of those coverage amounts; municipal rotation rules set their own. 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 New Jersey →Independent-contractor test: Case-law dual test for WC: (1) control test + (2) relative nature of the work test (Pollack v. Pinos' Formal Wear & Tailoring, 253 N.J. Super. 397 (App. Div. 1992), as quoted in later NJ App. Div. opinions). DIFFERENT from UI / wage-and-hour / wage-payment, which use the statutory ABC test (N.J.S.A. 43:21-19(i)(6); N.J.A.C. 12:11, eff. 2026-10-01). Do NOT apply the ABC test to a NJ WC claim.
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 →
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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.