Truck driver warning as common mistakes could void cover

Truck drivers have been warned that simple mistakes could actually cancel their insurance cover.

Road haulage services are vital in the UK, with 89% of all freight moved by road* – that’s around 270,000 HGV drivers responsible for transporting essential supplies across the country.**

Truck insurance experts from Quotezone.co.uk have revealed common reasons drivers need to be careful and could be left unprotected with these common errors.

Driving any type of truck on public roads legally requires insurance, unless the vehicle is SORN – from sole traders to fleet operators, and from business owners to those driving for private use.

In the UK, if a commercial vehicle has a combined weight exceeding 3500 kg, including its cargo and passengers, it’s classed as an HGV and therefore requires a specialist insurance policy.

This policy, often known as commercial truck insurance, is bespoke and covers artic lorries, rigid lorries and specialist trucks and is different from standard car or van insurance, mainly due to the vehicle itself, how it’s used, and the level of risk the driver and vehicle are exposed to.

Truck drivers need to check their policy details thoroughly, especially what they are carrying, and ensure the type of goods are fully declared to the insurer, failure to do so could void the insurance and leave drivers vulnerable should they need to make a claim.

Truck insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk, Lee Evans, said: “Truck drivers and their logistics teams are an essential part of life as we know it in the UK, adding £13.5 billion to the economy each year.

 “Aside from being a legal obligation, truck insurance protects drivers and companies from accidents, damage, theft and helps safeguard their finances and their business. 

“Many people are unaware that simple mistakes, such as not providing updated and accurate information to insurers, could actually void the insurance policy, meaning they are driving illegally. 

“Any drivers found deliberately misleading the insurer to help make insurance premiums cheaper could also be convicted of fraud.

“Truck or HGV insurance costs vary widely from case to case, as each policyholder has a unique risk profile and will choose different levels of coverage.

“When truck drivers are hunting for savings, it’s important to review some of the biggest risk factors and see where improvements could be made, such as how the vehicle is stored when not in use, safety features on the truck itself, annual mileage, the goods and their value.

“It may not always be possible to adjust these factors, but it’s worth reviewing how these aspects affect the overall cost to help when making decisions on various jobs.

“The latest research from our savings experts here at Quotezone also shows that HGV drivers are often in line for additional insurance savings, for example, on their personal car insurance. These specialist drivers often undergo high levels of training and certification to operate HGVs, and have extensive driving experience – all factors which could reduce risk and therefore premium costs. 

“There are often savings, even on specialist products such as truck insurance, if drivers are prepared to shop around, negotiate and never let a policy auto-renew.”  

The team of insurance experts at Quotezone have created a check list for truck drivers, to help them avoid any costly mistakes.

5 Ways Truck Drivers Could Void Their Cover;

1 – Goods

Drivers must declare the type of goods they plan to carry to the insurers – failure to do so could result in the policy being voided. Goods which are typically classified as hazardous include medical supplies such as organs and blood, fuel, and hazardous chemicals like pesticides. Not all providers will cover hazardous goods as standard, so drivers need to check the policy details carefully.

2 – Type of job

Truck drivers need to indicate on their policy if it’s commercial carriage of their own goods or commercial haulage services for others, selecting the appropriate option – inaccurate information on the insurance policy could put them at risk of a rejected claim or a cancelled policy.

3 – Who the job is for

Some businesses may insist on HGV insurance, with goods in transit cover up to a certain value to protect their products, so drivers will need to check with the business and the insurer to confirm all parties are happy that adequate cover is in place.

4 – Where in the world

It’s important that drivers have indicated where in the world they will be driving and ensure their coverage reflects that. Insurance policies tend to cover three main variations: within the UK only, within the UK and EU and (less common) Worldwide – if these details are inaccurate, the driver is at risk of having a claim rejected or being caught underinsured – which could lead to fines, penalty points and even driving bans if the driver does not have valid insurance for the country they are driving in.

5 – Correct age

Qualified drivers commonly need to be over the age of 25 to apply for truck insurance, however, many HGV policies have age restrictions that exclude drivers under 21, 25, or even 30 years old. Some providers will also require the driver to have held their HGV licence for more than 2 years. Insurers also differ in their exclusions so drivers will need to compare providers and ensure they give accurate details – misrepresenting or omitting information on age could result in the claim being rejected or the policy cancelled.

Quotezone can help drivers and business owners compare and find savings on lorry, truck, fleet or multi-truck insurance.

References:
*https://www.rha.uk.net/News/Industry-Facts-and-Stats
**https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/road-freight-statistics-2023/overview-of-the-road-freight-sector-2023