Ian Beevis

Most schools assume their standard motor policy covers minibus use. It usually does not. A typical school vehicle policy may cover the caretaker driving a van but not a teacher taking pupils to a football match.

Around 9% of secondary school trips in England involve a private bus or school minibus, according to the National Travel Survey. That is a significant number of journeys on policies that may not be fit for purpose.

The D1 licence issue catches many schools out. Staff who passed their test before January 1997 usually have D1 entitlement. Younger teachers almost certainly do not. Letting an unlicensed teacher drive a minibus could result in a claim being declined.

Also safeguarding adds another layer. Schools are typically expected to ensure drivers meet safeguarding requirements, which may include a current DBS check depending on their role. Insurance does not replace the wider duty of care a school owes its pupils.

Schools that hire minibuses for residential trips or sports fixtures often have no cover during those journeys. Short-period insurance exists for exactly this gap, but awareness of this option is sometimes limited. Charities face similar risks with hired vehicles.

Most general motor insurers do not offer cover for HGVs because the risks involved can be more complex. This often means operators need to work with specialist insurers or brokers who understand commercial haulage operations.

One common gap is Goods in Transit cover (insurance that protects cargo while it is being transported). A standard truck policy usually protects the vehicle itself but may not include the load on board unless this cover is added separately. Damage to a single load could result in significant costs if appropriate protection is not in place.

Operator licensing can also affect how a policy responds. If the Traffic Commissioner (the regulator responsible for commercial vehicle operator licensing) revokes your Operator's Licence, it could affect whether insurance cover remains valid. Keeping maintenance records up to date and following drivers' hours rules (legal limits on how long HGV drivers can drive) helps demonstrate compliance.

The biggest mistake operators make is assuming their vehicle policy covers the cargo. It usually does not. Your truck insurance protects the vehicle. GIT protects what is inside it.

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) Conditions of Carriage limit your liability to roughly £1,300 per tonne. That could leave a significant gap if you carry high-value goods.

NaVCIS recorded over 1,800 UK freight crime incidents in 2025, with estimated losses reaching tens of millions of pounds. Always check the Unattended Vehicle Clause. Many rejected GIT claims fail because the vehicle was left unlocked, even for a few seconds during a delivery stop.

Recovery operators often get turned away by mainstream insurers. Your truck insurance needs a specialist approach. The liability profile is too specialist for a standard commercial policy.

The biggest gap is often Goods in Transit cover. Your truck policy protects your vehicle but rarely the customer's car on the back. Repairing a damaged prestige vehicle can be expensive and may exceed standard policy limits without adequate cover.

PAS 43 accreditation is voluntary, but most insurers and major clients demand it. Losing PAS 43 accreditation could affect eligibility for some insurance policies or contracts.

The Charity Commission lists over 170,000 charities in England and Wales, and many rely on minibus transport. Charities often hit a wall when they mention volunteer drivers, a Section 19 Permit, or a 17-seater minibus.

Over 34,000 section 19 permits had been issued in England over the past five years, according to Community Transport Association (CTA) figures. One common miss is "Hire and Reward". If your charity takes any payment for trips, even a donation, some insurers may treat this as Hire and Reward use depending on circumstances.

A specialist broker will typically ask about your drivers, your permit, and your passengers before quoting.