HGV Insurance.
Demystified.

For insurance purposes, a heavy goods vehicle is any motor vehicle with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) exceeding 3,500 kg, or a combination vehicle (truck and trailer) with a gross combination mass (GCM) exceeding 3,500 kg. This covers articulated semi-trailers, rigid trucks, logging vehicles, livestock carriers, tankers, tipper trucks, and crane trucks.

Trailers can be covered on the same policy as the prime mover or separately, depending on the policy structure and your operational setup. If you use one trailer consistently with one prime mover, a combined policy works well. If you use multiple trailers or swap trailers between operators, each trailer may need separate cover. Always declare all trailers to your broker.

HGV insurance is individually underwritten based on vehicle type, cargo, routes, and driver experience — not priced from a fixed rate table like car insurance. It includes specialist covers (carriers liability, road clearing, downtime) that are not available in standard vehicle policies, and is typically arranged through specialist commercial transport brokers rather than general insurers.

HGV insurance is not suitable for online comparison and purchase. The coverage complexity — agreed value, carriers liability limits, specialist extensions, fleet structures — requires a specialist broker to properly assess your operation and structure the right programme. We connect you with specialist HGV brokers who will assess your specific needs.

Carriers liability covers your legal responsibility for goods belonging to your clients while they are in your care as a carrier. Under the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017, you are legally responsible for freight in your custody. If a client's goods are lost, damaged, or stolen while on your truck, carriers liability pays the claim. Any operator carrying third-party freight needs carriers liability.

Agreed value locks in the settlement amount at policy inception — if the vehicle is a total loss, you receive the agreed amount regardless of depreciation. Market value is assessed at the time of the claim using depreciation tables, which can be significantly less than replacement cost. For working HGVs, agreed value is strongly recommended.