HGV Insurance

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HGV Insurance

Tired of sky-high premiums and endless forms? Whether you’re an owner-operator or running a HGV fleet, finding the right HGV insurance shouldn’t feel like a full-time job!

Our quick and easy comparison service helps lorry drivers like you save time and money by putting the best lorry insurance deals in one place. No hassle, no hidden costs, just straight-talking cover at prices that won’t make your wallet wince. Compare now and drive with confidence!

Compare HGV Insurance Quotes

We know how difficult comparing policies can be. That’s why our trained team are here to help you find dedicated brokers who want to quote you.

Our service is free and impartial with no obligation to buy.

HGV Insurance

What our Comparison Expert Says

‘Being a truck driving is a skilled profession that requires a high level of being alert, ensuring you and everyone is driving safely around you. Sometimes this don’t always go to plan often through no fault of your own. We’ll help you find a specialist truck insurance broker who will insure you correctly at the right price!’

How our process works

We’ve worked hard to refine our process and keep it as quick, easy and simple as possible for our customers.

What is HGV Insurance?

HGV (heavy goods vehicle) insurance, also known as haulage or lorry insurance, is designed for commercial use vehicles over 7.5 tonnes.

An insurance policy for this type of vehicle will usually cover the cab and driver, carried goods, and the trailer itself. These insurance covers can include commercial motor insurance and goods-in-transit insurance, tailored to specific needs. There are other features that can also be added to these policies as further protections for the driver or business.

Drivers covering the UK won’t always need international insurance, so HGV insurance has some flexibility in its coverage. Insurance cover can be UK only, UK and Europe or International for long-distance haulage.

What Can HGV Insurance Cover?

It’s fairly likely that your HGV is being used for business purposes or the transport of goods, but the specifics of this can impact the insurance available to you.

In instances where you are using your HGV to exclusively transport your own goods, there are particular insurance policies that are ideal. An example may be builders moving large equipment or tools to site.

Be aware that this insurance will not cover anything belonging to someone else and this includes hired equipment or tools.

Haulage insurance is designed for drivers delivering to a single location. This can be collecting goods from a port to deliver to a single depot or something like a quarry with repeat journeys from Point A to Point B.

Importantly, this insurance can cover the transportation of goods belonging to someone else. Additionally, private HGV insurance is available for owner-operators, distinguishing it from commercial truck insurance targeted at fleet managers.

Unlike haulage cover, this type of insurance will apply to drivers who deliver to multiple addresses. Delivery drivers would fall into this category, as may couriers or distributors who deliver goods across the UK or further afield.

This insurance will also cover the goods of others. Transit insurance is crucial in protecting these goods against damage or loss during transportation, whether by road, air, rail, or sea.

Policy differences between haulage insurance and carriage of goods insurance can be slight, so it’s important to check the details. If you’re unsure which type of policy is best for you, speak to our team who can help you compare your HGV insurance options.

It is possible to obtain insurance coverage for a single HGV or HGV fleets carrying hazardous materials. The most important detail is that it will need to be specifically mentioned when setting up your policy. A failure to disclose hazardous goods can lead to policy cancellation with some insurers.

Hazardous goods can include gases, explosives or anything that can cause harm to people, animals or the environment if not properly handled.

Public liability cover for lorry drivers protects the driver from claims made by the public in the case of negligence. This can be things like reversing into a wall that then harms a member of the public. This addition to a policy covers personal liability should a claim be brought against the driver.

European HGV insurance cover is relevant for drivers using HGVs outside of the UK and around Europe. It is a legal requirement to have insurance on the road in European countries and protects the business, driver and any third parties should anything go wrong on the road.

Should a business or driver be involved in a legal case related to road matters, legal fees cover helps to cover any costs. This is an addition to many policies and usually includes the coverage of most legal fees.

An essential add-on for most lorry drivers, HGV breakdown and recovery cover can help to get you out of a tricky spot with minimal disruption. Breaking down can cost money and time, so having sufficient and correct breakdown cover can remove a lot of worries.

Losing your licence is rare for highly skilled HGV drivers but it does happen. Additional cover for this can ensure that you continue to receive a monthly income should you lose your licence. This will continue until you are able to earn again.

Managing individual policies for a number of HGVs can be tough and it’s easy to miss small details when there are lots of things to stay on top of. A fleet HGV insurance policy is ideal in cases where you need to cover multiple vehicles at once.

Employer’s liability insurance is a legal requirement in cases where you’re employing drivers. It covers the business should anything happen that causes harm to the public as a result of a driver or vehicle that is part of your fleet.

What Are The Requirements Of Your HGV Insurance Quote?

Before applying for lorry insurance, there are a few details that you’re going to need to make sure you’re fully covered and that your policy details are accurate.

What is the value of your Truck?

As with any type of insurance policy, you will need to know the value of the thing that you’re insuring. For HGVs, this essentially means ‘how much would my HGV be worth if I sold it?’ This helps to put a value on it in the case of an accident or in the instance that the vehicle is written off.

It’s really important that you don’t undervalue your vehicle as you may lose out on a pay-out reflecting its true value should an accident occur. Reducing an estimate by two or three thousand to reduce a quote isn’t worth the thousands you could lose out on should an accident actually happen.

What is the age of your vehicle?

The age of your vehicle will contribute to the final cost of your insurance, with newer models typically being less expensive than older HGVs. Newer models are less likely to break down and repair and vehicle retrieval can be considerably less. This might not be the case if your insurance policy is international though – long-distance retrievals can be very expensive.

What will you carry using your HGV?

This again goes back to the types of goods you will be transporting and where insurance priorities lie with cargo and goods on board. Lower-value goods will, of course, be cheaper to insure in most cases. A single HGV full of gravel, for example, will be cheaper to insure than one full of oil.

For some drivers, the type of goods carried can change regularly but it’s important to be covered for those higher amounts and it’s well worth altering a policy rather than losing out should something go wrong.

Where will you be transporting goods to and from?

Spend some time considering your possible delivery destinations. For some industries, most travel will be done within the UK, whilst others may lead the driver further afield. Food delivery, for example, will likely lead to driving within Europe.

Risks involved in these locations can mean that adding European insurance to a UK-only policy can impact the price. Even with the added premium, it’s essential that this policy information is accurate or you risk not being covered.

HGV Insurance For New Drivers

New HGV drivers may be limited in the policies that they can choose and may see some premiums rise with fewer years behind the wheel. Adding a new driver to a fleet policy rather than an individual policy may be one option, but it’s a good idea to compare HGV insurance options and see which are most suitable (and most reasonably priced) for you.

telematics hgv insurance

Telematics HGV Insurance

Telematics HGV insurance is a modern approach to truck insurance that uses technology to track the driver’s behaviour and calculate premiums based on their driving habits. This type of insurance can be particularly beneficial for safe and responsible drivers, as it often leads to lower premiums. Here are some key benefits of telematics HGV insurance:

  • Lower Premiums for Safe Drivers: By monitoring driving habits, insurance providers can offer lower premiums to drivers who demonstrate safe driving behaviours. This can result in significant cost savings over time.
  • Improved Driving Habits: Telematics provides real-time feedback on driving behaviour, helping drivers to improve their habits and become safer on the road. This not only reduces the risk of accidents but also contributes to overall road safety.
  • Increased Safety on the Road: With telematics, drivers are more aware of their driving patterns and are encouraged to drive more cautiously. This leads to a safer driving environment for everyone on the road.
  • Ability to Track Vehicle Location and Driving Habits: Telematics systems allow for the tracking of vehicle location and driving habits, providing valuable data that can be used for various purposes, including route optimization and fleet management.

By opting for telematics HGV insurance, drivers and fleet managers can benefit from lower premiums, improved safety, and valuable insights into driving behaviour.

Choosing the Right HGV Insurance Provider

Selecting the right HGV insurance provider is crucial for ensuring you get the best coverage and service. Here are some factors to consider when making your decision:

  • Reputation: Look for an insurance provider with a strong reputation and high levels of customer satisfaction. Reading reviews and testimonials can give you insight into the experiences of other customers.
  • Coverage Options: Consider the types of coverage options available and whether they meet your specific needs. A provider that offers a range of options can help you tailor your policy to your requirements.
  • Premiums: Compare premiums from different providers to ensure you’re getting the best value for your money. Keep in mind that the cheapest option may not always provide the best coverage.
  • Claims Process: Evaluate the claims process of each provider. A straightforward and efficient claims process can make a significant difference in the event of an accident or incident.
  • Customer Service: Good customer service is essential. Look for a provider with a responsive and helpful customer service team that can assist you with any questions or issues.

By considering these factors, you can choose an HGV insurance provider that offers the right balance of coverage, cost, and service.

hgv insurance broker

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re transporting goods, it’s incredibly important to have motor insurance, no matter the distance you’re covering. Even if you aren’t driving the lorry, it will legally need to have insurance or need an off-road notice (or SORN).

HGVs can be individually insured or can be insured as part of a fleet policy managed by a business.

To produce a quote, HGV insurance brokers will need to see a valid operator’s licence. In cases where you are not driving for commercial gain or carriage of goods (like for classic vehicles), there might be options available.

Any vehicle above 3.5 tonnes will require an operator’s licence in cases where it will be used for commercial purposes or transport of goods on public roads. If you are driving a vehicle that is 44 tonnes, you will be needing your own operators licence and won’t be able to operate under a firms licence.

The operator’s licence can be held by:

  • The driver, if they own, borrow or lease the vehicle.
  • The employer or controller of the driver using the vehicle.

It can be difficult for young drivers to get insurance on a car, never mind an HGV, so it’s no real surprise that this is an incredibly common question for insurers. Lots of policies on the market that will only insure HGV drivers over the age of 25. For some businesses, this can present a challenge. For these cases, it can be really beneficial to speak to someone for advice.