Wisconsin has no tow-specific rule — its general for-hire motor-carrier rule applies: $750,000, with a $300,000 tier for vehicles at 10,000 lbs or less gross weight. The state sets no cargo, on-hook, or garagekeepers minimum.
Law: Wis. Stat. § 194.41(6)(a), § 194.41(6)(b)1.; 49 CFR 172.101 · Trans 176.02, 176.03, 176.04(3), 176.05; Wis. Stat. § 194.41(2), § 194.42
Weight / class variation: Wisconsin 'gross weight' (§ 194.01(6)) = actual unloaded weight + licensed carrying capacity — not GVWR. § 194.41(1) does not apply to a motor carrier registered by another state under the unified carrier registration system (UCR) — interstate UCR carriers fall under the tool's federal layer.
No WI tow-specific insurance rule; general intrastate for-hire motor-carrier rule (§ 194.41) applies — tow operators are common/contract motor carriers of property under ch. 194, and § 194.05 has no tow exemption. § 194.41(6)(b)1.'s $300,000 tier is Wisconsin's own statutory figure (verified in the statute text), not the $300,000-under-10,001 template figure that was false for IN, MI, NV, and SC. No fixed cargo, on-hook, or garagekeepers minimum — § 194.41(1) leaves any cargo protection amount to WisDOT (mandatory only for building carriers); Trans 176 sets no cargo amount. Municipal rotation lists and motor-club contracts may set their own insurance terms — not statewide law. 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 Wisconsin →Independent-contractor test: Statutory nine-part test, Wis. Stat. § 102.07(8)(b) — all nine must be met; failing one = employee. § 102.07(8)(a) default: every IC is an employee of any employer for whom the IC performs service in the course of the employer's trade/business/profession/occupation at the time of injury, unless all nine are met.
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.