Commercial HGV Insurance – What you need to know

Both businesses and individuals that operate commercial vehicles to transport heavy goods require HGV insurance. An HGV insurance policy provides cover to almost any vehicle that is 7.5 tonnes or more.

Having the best HGV insurance protection is vital for protecting your business and your employees, especially when you hear statistics released by bodies such as the Conference of European Directors of Roads. Their 2017 report calculated that 52.3% of fatal motorway accidents involved HGVs and thus highlights the importance of having the right HGV insurance in place.

What is covered under an HGV insurance policy?

There are various HGV insurance policies available and these can be tailored to suit your specific requirements. Do you just carry your own goods? Are you hauling goods on behalf of other companies? How many vehicles do you want to cover? What is the weight of the vehicles you are looking to insure? What types of goods will be carried? These, along with some other factors, are all questions where the answers will determine the recommended HGV insurance policy for you. Policies are available to cover movement within the UK, but if your vehicles travel further afield then your policy can also include the EU if you need it.

Whether you decide on fully comprehensive or just opt for third-party, you should also consider including the following:

Goods in transit insurance

A standard HGV insurance policy usually only covers the legal obligations of your vehicles on the road so in order to protect the goods that you’re transporting from one location to another we recommend that you purchase Goods in transit (GIT) protection in addition to your standard commercial vehicle insurance policy.

GIT will cover the goods that are being transported within your vehicle whilst it is in transit. There are different types of cover on offer including RHA, where the goods are insured up to limits of cover per tonne (typically £1300 or £5000) depending on the types of goods carried. Other alternatives that could better suit your needs include All Risks and CMR. If you need help identifying which option best meets your requirements then our team of HGV insurance experts are on hand.

Both damage and/or loss of the goods that you’re transporting is covered by a Goods in Transit policy. Whether you’re an individual transporter or you run an HGV transport business, this type of policy can save you from losses which could run into thousands of pounds.

Like with a standard heavy goods vehicle insurance policy, GIT protection can be for domestic transport only or cover your cargo if you travel within the EU.

Legal protection cover

Legal protection cover is an important add-on for any HGV insurance policy. In the situation where your HGV is in a non-fault accident, legal protection cover will pay for your legal costs and the fees of a solicitor to help you claim back any uninsured losses, such as policy excess, loss of earnings or claims for any injuries that the driver may have sustained. This cover can also ensure that you are provided with a like-for-like replacement vehicle while your vehicle is being repaired.

HGV breakdown recovery

If your vehicles are off the road due to a breakdown it is likely to delay your delivery of the goods and could cost you thousands if you can’t get back on the road fast. This is the reason why having breakdown recovery cover in place should be a priority for all commercial HGV drivers. It will provide protection in case your vehicle breaks down or stops functioning whilst transporting goods. Breakdown recovery insurance covers the costs associated to this and can save you from heavy losses.

Fleet insurance

If you have multiple HGVs or you run a transportation business, then you should consider HGV fleet insurance which is a policy that provides cover for multiple vehicles together. This can be a much more cost-effective option compared to purchasing individual policies for each of your vehicles, yet will offer the exact same levels of cover.

What type of cover do I need for my HGV insurance?

When you’re ready to begin researching the different policies that are available, it is really important that you look for the one that is most suitable to your commercial needs.

To help you with this, we strongly recommend that you consider the following checklist before choosing an HGV insurance policy:

• How many HGVs does your business operate?
• How many drivers do you employ?
• Do you also require additional breakdown cover?
• Do you need public and employer liability cover?
• What amount and type of goods do you transport?
• Where is your business located, and where do your vehicles travel? e.g. UK or International

How to save money with a commercial HGV insurance policy

It is possible to make savings when arranging your commercial HGV insurance policy. Here’s how:

• If you or your hired driver have a good track record, you’re likely to be offered cheaper options.
• Restricting driving to over 25s or over 30s
• Having a forward-facing camera
• Accepting a voluntary excess
• Working within a limited mileage radius

 

Buying HGV fleet insurance is an excellent method to save money if you have multiple vehicles. Individual policies could cost a lot more.

In summary, the cost of HGV insurance will vary depending on the number of vehicles being insured and the geographical scope of your operations. As with all insurance products, it is important to check all of the information about the cover before taking out the policy. It is vital that you ensure you’re covered for every eventuality and have the right cover in place to protect your business and its people.

Get an online quote today or call our team of commercial HGV insurance experts on 0333 577 0331. Why not also ask us about our roofer's public liability insurance policies or employers' liability insurance in the UK protection?