Why Compare Truck Insurance Quotes?
Keep Your Truck Business Moving with the Right Cover
Key Takeaways
- Standard van policies stop covering you once your vehicle exceeds 3.5 tonnes.
- Truck insurance includes essential add-ons like goods in transit and specialist breakdown recovery.
- Your Operator’s Licence details must match your policy exactly, or you may not be covered.
- Cover needs vary hugely between haulage, recovery work, construction tippers and refrigerated transport.
Around 1.5 billion tonnes of goods are lifted by GB-registered HGVs in the UK each year. Every one of those journeys needed specialist truck cover. Standard van policies don’t work once you cross the 3.5-tonne threshold.
If a haulage firm’s load gets stolen from a service station overnight? Without goods in transit cover, the claim may not be paid. If a recovery truck clips a car while loading, the policy might not cover towing operations. A tipper’s load shifts on a motorway. The driver finds out third party cover doesn’t pay for his own repairs. These aren’t rare cases – they happen when operators try to save money with the wrong type of cover.
Clean Green Cars is an FCA-regulated introducer. This guide gives you the information to make an informed decision. When you’re ready, you get passed through to specialist brokers. Run a single rigid or a 20-strong artic fleet? You can compare quotes from insurers who cover your sector.
This guide covers the core truck insurance tiers, essential add-ons and what affects your price. There are also dedicated guides for goods in transit insurance and recovery truck insurance.
What Do Truck Insurance Tiers Actually Cover?
The cover tier you pick matters more with a truck. Repair bills on HGVs run into tens of thousands. A windscreen alone can cost over £1,000.
| Feature | Comp. | TPFT | TPO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Own damage | Yes | No | No |
| Fire and theft | Yes | Yes | No |
| Third party damage | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Goods in transit | Optional | Optional | No |
| Windscreen | Yes | Optional | No |
| Breakdown recovery | Optional | Optional | No |
| Legal expenses | Optional | Optional | No |
- Goods in Transit Cover – This is the big one. It covers your load if it’s stolen, damaged or lost during transport.
- Public Liability – If someone gets hurt during loading or unloading, this covers the legal costs. A pallet falls and injures a warehouse worker – that’s a Public Liability claim, not a motor one.
- Breakdown and Recovery – HGVs can’t be towed by the AA. You need expert recovery that can handle your weight and get you to a truck garage.
- Employers’ Liability – If you employ drivers, this is a legal requirement. It covers claims if a driver gets injured on the job.
- Windscreen Cover – Truck windscreens cost a lot more than car or van screens. Many policies include this as standard on Comprehensive.
- Legal Expenses – Covers your legal fees if you need to defend a claim or take someone to court over a road accident.
Most operators go for Comprehensive. The gap between that and TPFT isn’t huge. Third Party Only saves money upfront but leaves you exposed if your truck gets written off.
Tip: Check your policy documents to confirm your Gross Vehicle Weight is listed correctly. If it’s wrong, the insurer may reject your claim.
What the writer says…
Standard commercial vehicle policies often fall short for HGVs because underwriters treat anything over 7.5 tonnes as specialist risk. Most mainstream insurers won't quote for rigids, artics or tippers at all.
One mismatch between your Operator's Licence and your policy could void your cover.
If the O-licence isn't current, your claim may not be paid. The same applies if the vehicle weight doesn't match.
– Ian Beevis, Insurance Expert & Co-founder of Clean Green Cars
Optional Extras for Truck Insurance
A basic truck policy covers you on the road. But the risks don’t stop when you park up or when you cross the Channel.
Add-ons push your price up but they plug the gaps in a standard policy. A refrigerated truck without stock cover could lose thousands if the unit breaks down overnight.
Insight: If you haul perishable goods, refrigeration cover is worth checking. The cost of one spoiled load could dwarf the add-on premium.
Higher cover limits for valuable loads like electronics or pharmaceuticals.
If your fridge unit fails and your load spoils, this pays out for the lost goods.
Pays for a replacement truck while yours is off the road after an accident or breakdown.
Cross-channel haulage needs a Green Card and often CMR insurance for international liability.
Protects tools and gear you carry in the cab or on the flatbed.
What Truck Insurance Doesn't Cover
If you only remember one thing: overloading or the wrong licence can wipe out your cover.
The most common reason for rejected claims? A mismatch between your setup and your policy.
- O-Licence Non-Compliance – Operating without a valid Operator’s Licence or with lapsed details voids your policy.
- Overloading – Exceeding your Gross Vehicle Weight invalidates cover. Weighbridge checks catch this.
- Wrong Licence Category – Driving a Class 2 truck on a Class 1 licence means you’re not legal.
- Drink or Drugs – Any claim where the driver was impaired is often void.
- Unsecured Loads – If your load wasn’t properly secured and causes an accident, you may not be covered.
- Driver Age Restrictions – Many policies won’t cover drivers under 25 or those with less than two years’ truck experience.
- Vehicle Age Limits – Older trucks may only qualify for Third Party cover, not Comprehensive.
- Mileage Limits – If you exceed your declared annual mileage, the insurer may reduce or refuse your claim.
- Geographical Restrictions – Most policies only cover the UK unless you add European cover.
- Load Type Restrictions – Hazardous goods or specialist loads need separate cover. A standard policy won’t pay out.
Standard Exclusions
Important Limitations
A driver’s load shifted on a motorway because it wasn’t strapped down properly. The policy didn’t pay because the load wasn’t secured to the insurer’s standards.
Who Needs Truck Insurance?
Whatever type of truck you run, through Clean Green Cars you can connect with brokers who cover your sector.
Insight: No more explaining your setup to insurers who only cover cars and vans. You get connected to brokers who understand HGV risks.
If you drive or run a vehicle over 3.5 tonnes, you need specialist truck cover. Standard van policies won’t be enough.
How To Compare Truck Insurance Quotes
Finding the right truck cover doesn’t need to take all day. Most forms take just a few minutes. When you request quotes, you’ll be connected to a comparison service that specialises in this sector.
What Affects Your Truck Insurance Price?
The UK road transport sector turnover reached around £37.1 billion in 2023. Every operator faces different insurance costs depending on their setup. The quotes you get will depend on your own details.
| Key Factor | Impact on Price |
|---|---|
| Gross Vehicle Weight | Heavier trucks typically cost more to repair and could cause more damage in accidents. |
| Use Type | Haulage (hire and reward) often costs more than carriage of own goods. |
| Driver Experience | Young or inexperienced drivers could push the price up significantly. |
| Load Type | Hazardous or high-value goods typically need specialist cover and could cost more. |
| Location and Parking | Urban areas with high theft rates or no secure parking could raise the price. |
| Claims History | Previous claims or convictions could increase your premium noticeably. |
- Operator’s Licence Status – A clean O-licence record with no infringements could help keep your price down.
- Annual Mileage – Higher mileage means more time on the road and more risk, which could push the price up.
- Vehicle Age and Condition – Older trucks may only qualify for limited cover, but they’re often cheaper to insure.
- Security Measures – Fitting trackers, immobilisers or parking in a secure compound could lower your quote. Operators with several trucks may find a fleet policy brings additional savings.
Small changes to your setup could make a big difference to your quote. Parking in a secure compound overnight instead of on the street could cut your price noticeably.
Price Insight: Fitting a tracker or dashcam could bring your price down because insurers see you as lower risk. Some won’t even quote without one.
How To Cut Your Truck Insurance Costs
A few changes to your fleet setup or driver list could reduce your renewal price. You don’t need to slash your cover to save money.
Don’t auto-renew without checking the market first. Even 10 minutes comparing could get you a better deal.
Top Tip: Your current insurer knows most operators auto-renew. Checking the market takes minutes and could turn up a better price.
Common Truck Insurance Questions
Do I Need an Operator's Licence for Truck Insurance?
If you run trucks over 3.5 tonnes for hire or reward, you need an Operator’s Licence. Your insurance won’t be valid without one, and the insurer may turn down your claim if the O-licence details don’t match your policy.
What Licence Do I Need To Drive a Truck?
You need the right category on your licence for the truck’s weight. Class C covers rigids over 3.5 tonnes, C+E covers artics. Driving without the right category voids your insurance.
Is Goods in Transit Cover Included in Truck Insurance?
No, goods in transit is usually an optional add-on. Basic truck policies cover the vehicle, not the load. If you’re moving goods for customers, you’ll need to add this separately.
Does Truck Insurance Cover Loading and Unloading?
Some policies include it, others don’t. Check whether Public Liability is part of your cover, as this typically pays out if someone gets hurt during loading operations.
Can I Insure a Fleet of Trucks on One Policy?
Yes, fleet policies cover multiple trucks under one agreement. This could work out cheaper than separate policies and makes managing renewals easier.
What's the Difference Between Haulage and Own Goods Use?
Haulage (hire and reward) means you’re paid to move goods for others. Carriage of own goods means you’re moving your own stock. Haulage typically costs more to insure.
Does My Van Policy Cover a 7.5 Tonne Truck?
No. Standard van policies stop covering you once your vehicle exceeds 3.5 tonnes. You need specialist truck insurance for anything heavier.
Do I Need European Cover for Cross-Channel Haulage?
Yes. If you’re crossing the Channel, you’ll need European cover, a Green Card and often CMR insurance for international liability. UK-only policies don’t cover you abroad.
Search & compare quotes from UK Truck Insurance Providers
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Useful Resources
These official sources provide further information about truck licensing, operator compliance and driver rules.
- Gov.uk Operator Licensing – Official guidance on O-licence rules for goods vehicle operators.
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) – Information on vehicle testing, tachographs and roadworthiness standards for HGVs.
- Logistics UK – Trade body for freight and logistics operators, offering advice on compliance and industry best practice.
- Gov.uk Driving Licence Categories – Official list of HGV licence categories including C, C+E and C1 classifications.
- Road Haulage Association (RHA) – Trade body representing haulage operators across the UK, with resources on insurance and compliance.
