HGV & truck insurance
Specialist cover for HGV operators, haulage businesses and transport fleets
Heavy goods vehicles form the backbone of transport and logistics businesses. From national haulage operations to companies running vehicles to support their own goods distribution, the risks associated with operating HGVs require insurance that reflects the realities of commercial transport.
Ratcliffes Insurance Brokers has worked with businesses in the transport sector since 1976, helping operators arrange insurance solutions that support their day-to-day operations.
Whether you operate a single vehicle or manage a growing fleet, our team can help you arrange HGV and truck insurance designed around how your vehicles are used. Our experience includes working with haulage operators, own-goods carriers and specialist transport businesses, giving us insight into how cover needs to perform in real-world conditions.
What is HGV and truck insurance?
HGV and truck insurance is designed to provide protection for businesses operating heavy goods vehicles used for commercial transport.
These vehicles may include articulated lorries, rigid trucks and specialist haulage vehicles used across industries. Because the risks of commercial transport vary with vehicle type, goods carried and operating territories, policies can reflect how you use the vehicles in practice.
HGV insurance focuses on heavy goods vehicles, while broader commercial vehicle insurance can include other types of business vehicles. You can also explore our broader Commercial Vehicle Insurance solutions for businesses operating other types of vehicle.
Who this cover is designed for
HGV and truck insurance can be suitable for businesses operating heavy goods vehicles in different sectors.
Examples include:
- Haulage companies transporting goods across the UK or internationally
- Logistics operators managing distribution fleets
- Businesses transporting their own goods as part of their operations
- Construction and infrastructure companies operating heavy transport vehicles
- Specialist transport operators working with equipment or machinery
We can arrange cover for single vehicles, small fleets or larger transport operations, depending on the needs of your business.
Scope of cover
The exact scope of cover depends on the policy structure and the insurer. HGV and truck insurance may protect against the risks of operating heavy goods vehicles, including those that travel long distances, carry commercial loads or work in specialist transport sectors.
- Policies may include cover for:
- Damage to insured vehicles
- Third-party liability following an accident
- Fire or theft involving the vehicle
- Accidental damage
- Liability arising from vehicle use
HGV insurance centres on how you use vehicles within your transport business. In practice, operational factors shape both the policy design and the level of cover.
We can arrange policies as:
- Insurance for individual vehicles
- Fleet policies covering multiple vehicles under one structure
- Sector-specific cover for particular transport activities
- Combined policies including vehicle and liability cover
The structure of your cover depends on factors such as:
- Types of vehicles operated
- The nature of goods transported
- Operating territories such as UK or European transport
- Driver experience and vehicle usage patterns
- Fleet size and operational scale
Our team works with businesses to understand these factors before helping arrange insurance solutions that reflect the operational risks involved.
How this fits with other business insurance
HGV insurance is one part of a broader insurance programme for transport businesses. Operators can arrange other types of insurance to complement their HGV vehicle cover.
These may include:
- Goods in Transit insurance to protect the goods you carry
- Public liability insurance
- Employers’ liability insurance for businesses with staff
- Personal accident cover for drivers
- Legal expenses cover
You can arrange these covers together for protection across vehicles, goods and liabilities within a transport operation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between HGV insurance and commercial vehicle insurance?
Commercial vehicle insurance is a broader category that can cover other types of business vehicle too. HGV insurance focuses specifically on heavy goods vehicles used in haulage and logistics operations.
What types of vehicles are covered under HGV and truck insurance?
HGV and truck insurance covers heavy goods vehicles such as articulated lorries and rigid trucks used for commercial transport. We can tailor cover to the specific vehicles you operate and how you use them within the business.
Can I arrange HGV insurance for fleets?
Yes. Transport businesses can arrange fleet insurance policies that cover multiple vehicles under a single policy structure, which can simplify administration and provide consistency across the fleet.
What factors affect the cost of HGV insurance?
Premiums will depend on factors including the type of vehicles, nature of goods transported, operating territories, driver experience, claims history and overall fleet size.
Can I insure the goods the vehicle carries?
Yes. We can arrange Goods in Transit insurance or freight forwarders liability insurance alongside HGV vehicle cover, depending on the needs of the business.
Is cover available for UK and European operations?
Yes. We can structure policies to include UK-only cover, or extend them to include European or international transport, depending on the needs of the business.
Does HGV insurance apply to own-goods transport?
Yes. Businesses transporting their own goods as part of their operations can arrange HGV insurance where heavy goods vehicles are used.
Can you tailor policies to specific transport sectors?
Yes. We can structure insurance to reflect specific sectors such as construction, refrigerated transport, container work or specialist haulage operations.
What support is available in the event of a claim?
In the event of a claim, businesses can contact their insurer directly to begin the claims process. Ratcliffes is also here to support you whenever you need us. Our dedicated claims team can liaise with insurers, guide you through the process and help your claim move as efficiently as possible, to minimise disruption to your operations.
Talk to the people who do the work
Call or email our commercial vehicle specialists direct. No call centre. You speak to people who know haulage and look after your HGV and truck insurance.
- New business, 1 to 4 vehicles: Karl Illston, 01242 544511, karlillston@ratcliffes.co.uk
- New business and renewals, 5+ vehicles: Craig Snow, 01242 544515, craigsnow@ratcliffes.co.uk
- Mid-term adjustments and renewals, 1 to 4 vehicles: Jenny Darling, 01242 544512 and Jackie Bowles, 01242 544575, mta@ratcliffes.co.uk
- Mid-term adjustments, 5+ vehicles: Martin Davis, 01242 544532, martindavis@ratcliffes.co.uk
- Claims: Sara Bloxsome, 01242 544507 and Stuart Hooper, 01242 544508, claims@ratcliffes.co.uk
Working with Ratcliffes
Ratcliffes Insurance Brokers has worked with transport businesses since 1976. Our team understands the insurance requirements of haulage operators and works closely with clients to arrange solutions that reflect the realities of commercial transport operations.
If you would like to discuss your HGV and truck insurance requirements, our team will be happy to help.
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