Commercial vehicle insurance
Cover for goods carriers, passenger vehicles and taxis used for business: statutory third-party liability, own-damage protection, and liability for the people you carry or employ.
What it covers
Cover varies between insurers and plans. The policy wording is what decides whether a claim is payable, so read it before you buy.
- Third-party liability for injury, death or property damage caused by the vehicle
- Accidental damage to the insured vehicle under a comprehensive package policy
- Fire, explosion, self-ignition and lightning
- Theft, burglary and housebreaking
- Natural calamities, and man-made events such as riot, strike and malicious damage
- Legal liability to the driver, cleaner and conductor under employee compensation law, where that extension is taken
Cover options
- Third-party only, own damage only, or a comprehensive package policy
- Rated by vehicle class: goods-carrying, passenger-carrying and miscellaneous or special-type vehicles
- Legal liability cover for paid drivers and other employees travelling on the vehicle
- Endorsements such as cover for non-fare-paying passengers, towing, or a vehicle laid up for a period
- Annual or long-term policy terms, as the insurer allows: [POLICY TERM OPTIONS]
How to buy it
Four steps, with an advisor you can reach at any of them.
Tell us about the risk
Tell us the vehicle class, registration details, permit and how the vehicle is actually used.
Underwriting details
An advisor collects the information insurers need to price the risk, and flags anything missing.
Compare quotes
We ask our partner insurers to quote, and put the cover, conditions and premium side by side.
Proposal & policy
Pick a quote, complete the proposal form and KYC, and the insurer issues the policy.
Commercial vehicle insurance: FAQs
Can I use a private car policy for a commercial vehicle?
No. If a vehicle is used for hire or reward, or carries goods for business, it needs a commercial vehicle policy. Running commercial work on a private policy breaches the policy terms and a claim can be declined.
Does the policy cover my driver and cleaner?
Liability to paid employees travelling on the vehicle is covered where the legal-liability extension is taken. It is commonly included in commercial motor packages, but check that it appears on your policy schedule.
Are the goods on the vehicle insured?
No. A motor policy covers the vehicle and third-party liability, not the cargo. Goods in transit are insured under a marine cargo or transit policy.
I have several vehicles. Should they be on one policy?
Where one owner has a number of vehicles, insurers can arrange them as a fleet with common renewal dates and a single contact. Whether your vehicles qualify depends on the insurer's rules.