Last updated 2017-03-29

Base towing supplier requirements

Requirements suppliers must meet to qualify as an ICBC base towing supplier.

Requirements

Towing facilities and/or tow operators must comply with all applicable laws and regulations to qualify as an ICBC base towing supplier, including but not limited to:
  • the ownership and operation of motor vehicles
  • the protection of the environment, and
  • health and safety.
When the requirement is the … The supplier must ...
storage yard
  • provide proof of properly zoned and licence storage yard(s) and/or building(s) in each city, district or municipality where it operates, and
  • must be able to store damaged disabled vehicle for over 24 hours.
Important: The zoning must include storing damaged disabled vehicles.
vehicle storage all vehicles must be stored within the approved, safe, separate, enclosed, and secured storage yard(s) and/or building(s).
listed address list the storage yard(s) and/or building(s) address as the facility address.
towing capability
  • be capable to recover and tow all vehicles in Towing Category I, and
  • have at least one Class IV or equivalent gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) manufacturer’s chassis towing vehicle.
towing business licence have a current vehicle towing business licence for each city, district or municipality where it operates.
operator licence
ensure each towing supplier operator has:
  • a valid driver’s licence, and
  • a valid air brake endorsement applicable to the type of towing vehicle and/or trailer and the GVWR of the vehicle being operated.
24 hour dispatch have 24 hour towing dispatch service.
fleet declaration provide a list annually, of all vehicles assigned to a claim office location(s).
vehicle certificates and inspection
  • complete vehicle certification and inspection annually
  • provide a copy of the current vehicle registration certificate for a towing vehicle assigned to a specific claims office towing rotation list, and
  • have every vehicle ready for inspection, upon request.
access to customer vehicle provide reasonable access to a customers’ vehicle during normal business hours at no charge.
multiple location accounts have separate account and facility for each location when the supplier has storage yard(s) and/or building(s) in more than one city, district or municipality.
invoicing invoice ICBC based on the account and facility number attached to the storage yard(s) and/or building(s) closest to where the vehicle was originally picked up.
direct billing

direct bill ICBC when

  • a requested and dispatched towing supplier tows a vehicle:
    • directly to their storage yard(s) and/or building(s), or
    • a collision repair facility from an accident/ and/or recovery situation, and
    • ICBC coverage has responded
  • an ICBC towing request has been requested by ICBC, and
  • ICBC towing Invoice has been received.

Section topics

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Reference
Emergency Roadside Expense Repayment tow invoice codes
A list of codes that represent the various services and service scenarios that took place at the time of the vehicle tow.
Concept
Towing and Recovery Plus supplier requirements
Summary of requirements the towing and recovery plus suppliers must have for their storage yard(s) and/or building(s) prior to qualifying as an ICBC towing and recovery plus supplier.
Principle
Towing and Recovery Plus service concern resolution
Guidelines for towing and recovery plus service concern resolutions.
Concept
Legal and regulatory requirements for towing suppliers
Requirements that involve all applicable laws and regulations governing towing vehicles and operators.
Principle
Management of customer vehicle access fees charged by towing companies policy
Guidelines on customer vehicle access allowed by tow companies.
Parent topic: Towing