Renault Truck Insurance

HGV, also referred to as lorry or haulage insurance, is a type of insurance policy that has been specifically designed for vehicles that are 7.5 ton or LGV vehicle up to 44 ton HGV’s or you could go up to the super heavy haulage of 200 tons +. This insurance covers the cab, trailer, goods being transported, along driver.

Insurers offer a wide variety of lorry insurance, with each policy slightly different in what is covered or not. The type of coverage needed will depend on your company’s unique needs. This is the reason it is imperative to do the research and shop around for a policy that is the best fit.

Lorry policies may include these features:

• Flexible payment plan (depending on the insurer)
• Breakdown cover in the UK and Europe
• Combined policies
• Attached/detached trailers can be covered
• Immediate cover available
• Lorry fleet insurance (Visit Fleet Insurance Page for A Quote)
• Commercial lorries
• Cover for classic lorries
• Goods in transit
• Employers and public liability cover
• Personal accident and sickness cover
• Legal assistant cover
• Income protection insurance
• Private lorry Insurance

*Please note not all insurers will provide the above however these are what could be offered when insuring your vehicle, you could ask the insurers or broker at the time of quote about optional extras.

There are some necessities to check before you apply for insurance. First, you will need to make sure each driver you employ has the right driving qualifications. Haulage operators must have the right license in order to drive a truck that is carrying goods for a company.

You will need to make sure to have this license before you can find the right insurance policy and be accepted by the insurer.

More details about getting an operators license can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/being-a-goods-vehicle-operator

As you research, you will find many types of haulage insurance available. However, you will find there are several main categories for HGV coverage including:

Third-Party Only HGV Insurance: this is the minimum amount of insurance that is required by law. This covers the driver in the UK for only liabilities including injury to others & passengers in the truck, liability when towing a caravan or trailer, and lastly, damage to third party property. For Third-Party Only lorry insurance, each of your drivers must have the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).

Third-Party, Fire & Theft HGV Insurance: this type of insurance covers everything listed above, and includes coverage for fire damage, if a lorry is stolen, and damage to the lorry caused by theft.

Comprehensive HGV Insurance: this is a comprehensive policy that provides the best level of coverage possible. This includes everything above, as well as loss or damage to the truck, damage and loss of personal effects, windscreen coverage, and accidental damage. This type of policy also includes medical expenses; however, be sure to read through the policy to see what is covered or not.

Haulage Fleet Insurance:

This is a policy that covers an entire fleet of tippers or known as Haulage fleet insurance which covers 2+ HGV’s in a fleet, this can be a very cost-effective option over the previous types of insurance listed above. Here, again, insurers will have their own requirements, what is covered or not in each of their policies. One more note – there can be a cap on the number of HGV’s the insurance covers in a fleet, which can include up to hundreds of HGV’s and is dependent on the insurer at the time.

Telematics Cement Mixer Insurance:

Some lorry insurance policies require that you install a black box or use a mobile phone app in each truck. These methods are used to collect driving data, which is then used to calculate premiums. The more unsafe drivers are the insurance becomes more expensive. And just the opposite, if drivers are safe and obey driving rules, then the premium comes down. This could be a good option for you, making this type of coverage more affordable, if each of your drivers are safe behind the wheel.

Insurance for Carriage of ADR Hazardous Goods

It is important to note that not all insurers provide insurance for hauling hazardous goods. So, when looking for the right insurer, read through the policy (every part) to make sure you understand what is covered or not.

Another good idea is to speak with an insurance agent to ask questions and learn if there are other requirements that are not apparent.

You will need the right insurance if you want to be insured when carrying hazardous materials and goods.

As a startup, you may be looking to save as much as possible on HGV insurance. That is understandable, so the temptation is to go with an insurance policy that is priced at a low cost. This type of coverage, while cheap, may not offer all the protection you need for the business. Instead, consider insurance a great investment for your business.

Other ways to save money on truck insurance include:

• All drivers must have the required experience, along with a safe driving record.
• All newly passed truck drivers must have training about the job
• Install cameras that work to determine who is at fault in an accident
• Fitting the trucks with security devices, which make them more secure against theft
• Have a safe location for parking trucks overnight
• Some insurers offer flexible payment options, while others allow for annual or monthly premiums; an annual is much more affordable than monthly payments
• Build up a great no-claims bonus

Conducting research about the types of coverage your business needs, and shopping around can also help save money on this type of insurance policy.

Along with finding the policy, you can also save money by bartering with the insurer. This way you have a better chance of making sure to choose the right type of insurance as well as one that saves you money.

The most important thing for your startup is to get the right type of insurance and make sure you follow all driving rules, as well as in compliance with the insurer’s rules. truck insurance is a business investment you cannot afford to skimp on. Choose the best policy you can to protect your business.

No matter how many trucks you operate, whether you’re an owner-driver or a fleet operator, you’re going to need truck insurance; not just because it’s a legal requirement, but because your trucks represent a very significant investment that requires protection. Comprehensive cover provides protection against not just injury or damage caused by your truck, but also loss or damage to the truck itself.

HGV insurance can be a substantial sum of money. Exactly how much each operator has to pay varies from insurer to insurer and depends on a variety of factors. These may include:

• Whether any of your trucks are of exceptional value
• Where your trucks are driven and whether they go abroad
• The nature of your business activities and whether you ever visit hazardous sites or carry hazardous loads
• The profile of your drivers in terms of age and experience, and accident and conviction history
• Whether you have telematics devices or camera systems deployed actively to monitor and improve driving style and behaviour

A haulier running up to five vehicles will usually see their trucks rated individually. Above that number of trucks, policies tend to be fleet-rated, whereby the premium depends significantly on past claims experience across your HGV fleet.

You need an Operator’s Licence if you want to use a vehicle over 3.5tonnes (3500kg) plated weight for the purpose of carrying goods in conjunction with a trade or business. The licence is required whether or not goods carriage is for hire or reward.

A typical application can take up to 16 weeks to process, depending on the circumstances. Applications relating to new, novel or ridesharing services that require further information to determine the suitability of the application can take significantly longer to process.

What is the Difference Between a Company Truck Driver and an Owner-Operator? … A company truck driver operates a company-owned truck on behalf of a trucking company and may be paid a salary. An owner-operator drives a truck that they lease or own, and I work independently or accept contract jobs.

There are a variety of O licence types that could be suitable for your needs.

1. Standard International Licence:
   This allows you to carry your own goods, and goods for other people for hire or reward, both in the UK and on international journeys. It requires that you and your Transport Manager must each satisfy the requirement of good repute and professional competence.
2. Standard National Licence:
   This allows you to carry your own goods on your own account, or other people’s goods for hire or reward, in the UK and to carry your OWN goods on your own account abroad.
   It requires that you and your Transport Manager must each satisfy the requirement of good repute and professional competence.
3. Restricted Licence: This only allows you to carry your own goods on your own account within the UK and the EU. You do not have to satisfy the requirement of professional competence.
   Examples of using a restricted license are: If you produce your own products and deliver them yourself or if you use the vehicle to transport tools or equipment to and from a job, e.g. a scaffolder or builder.

There are a few exemptions when it comes to Operator Licensing. These are the most common:

1. Recovery Vehicles are constructed or permanently adapted for the purposes of lifting, towing or transporting a disabled vehicle.
2. A vehicle with equipment permanently attached to it for the life of that vehicle. Examples include permanently fixed machines or appliances eg: a road sweeper or cherry picker. The only goods or burden these vehicles are allowed to carry
3. Vehicles being used for or in connection with snow clearing, and the distribution of salt or grit.

HGV stands for Heavy Goods Vehicle and LGV stands for Large Goods Vehicle. They both refer to the same type of vehicle. I.e. vehicles that are more than 3.5 tonnes. Such vehicles include trucks and lorries.

CPC stands for Certificate of Professional Competence. If you wish to operate commercial vehicles above 3.5 tonnes (i.e. those in the HGV/LGV category), you will need to obtain the CPC Qualification. The assessments for this include: Theory test (same test as HGV), Driver CPC case study test, Driving ability test (same test as HGV) and Driver CPC demonstration test. 

Our HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) insurance covers vehicles with a GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) of over 5 Tonne up to 60 Tonnes.  Different cover levels will provide you with a fully Comprehensive cover down to Third Party Only.

In general terms vehicles that carry hazardous goods are not acceptable.  However, we are prepared to consider risks that involve the carriage of low hazardous goods.

• The loss of, or damage to, the insured HGV or truck by fire, lightning, explosion, theft or attempted theft
• Trailers owned or hired by you
• Accidental damage caused to your vehicle and trailer
• Contribution to replace the lock on your HGV or truck
• Window and windscreen damage
• Foreign use

We can also provide breakdown cover, so you’ll receive roadside assistance if you get stranded. Sometimes this cover isn’t included as standard, so make sure you speak to us so we can arrange it for you.

We can also offer protection for the goods you’re carrying, so if anything happens that results in you not being able to deliver them on time, or on the date, you intended to, you’ll be covered for:

• The loss of, or damage to, the goods
• Any legal costs you may incur as a result of losing or damaging the goods

Public Liability Insurance and Employers’ Liability Insurance policies are also available to help cover the cost of compensation and any legal fees, in the event of a claim made against your business by a member of the public or an employee. 

You can also discuss Business Equipment Insurance with us, as we know just how important the tools of your trade are to keeping your business running smoothly. This cover offers protection against theft and malicious or accidental damage, giving you that extra peace of mind.

**Take note: It is an offence to operate a goods vehicle without a valid licence if one is required. You could be liable to prosecution and your vehicle could be impounded. 

You will need a goods vehicle operators licence if you use a goods vehicle of over3.5 tonnes gross plated weight or (where there is no plated weight) an unladen weight of more than 1,525kg to transport goods for hire or reward or in connection with a trade or business. (In this instance ‘goods’ means goods or burden of any description). For a vehicle and trailer combination, generally, you will need a goods vehicle operators licence if the gross plated weights or unladen weight of the vehicle and trailer combined exceed the limits stated above for a single-vehicle.