Haulage Fleet Insurance

Haulage Fleet Insurance Quotes

Cover multiple lorries and trailers under one fleet policy.

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What Is Haulage Fleet Insurance?

How To Compare Haulage Fleet Insurance Quotes

Comparing quotes from several insurers is the fastest way to cut your haulage fleet premium.

The Financial Conduct Authority recommends getting at least three quotes before committing to a policy.

Enter your fleet details

Provide the number of vehicles, their gross vehicle weights, registration plates and the types of goods you carry. Include the operating radius and whether you run UK-only or cross-border routes.

Choose your cover level

Select third-party only, third-party fire and theft, or comprehensive cover for each vehicle. Add optional extras such as goods in transit, legal expenses or breakdown assistance if they are not already included.

Review and compare quotes

Check each quote's excess levels, claims limits and any exclusions around refrigerated or hazardous loads. The cheapest premium is not always the best value if it leaves gaps in your cover.

Buy your policy

Once you have chosen a quote, you can buy online or over the phone and your fleet is covered from the start date shown on your schedule. Keep a copy of your certificate of motor insurance in each vehicle.

What Does Haulage Fleet Insurance Cover?

A haulage fleet policy protects your vehicles, drivers and business against the financial impact of accidents, theft and third-party claims.

Third-party liability

Every vehicle on UK roads must carry at least third-party motor insurance under the Road Traffic Act 1988. This covers damage or injury you cause to other people and their property.

Accidental damage

Comprehensive policies cover repair or replacement costs when your own vehicles are damaged in a collision, regardless of who is at fault. For HGVs, repair bills after a motorway incident can run into tens of thousands of pounds.

Fire and theft

Protects your fleet if a vehicle is stolen or damaged by fire. This is included in both TPFT and comprehensive cover levels.

Goods in transit

Covers the cargo your vehicles are carrying if it is damaged, lost or stolen during transport. This is a key cover for haulage operators who carry high-value or temperature-sensitive loads.

Employers’ liability

If you employ drivers, the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 requires a minimum of £5 million cover. Most insurers provide £10 million as standard, and fines for not having employers’ liability insurance reach up to £2,500 per day.

Public liability

Covers claims from members of the public who are injured or whose property is damaged during your loading, unloading or haulage operations. Many commercial contracts require proof of public liability insurance before you can start work.

Windscreen and glass cover

HGV windscreens are expensive to replace, often costing £500-£1,500 per vehicle. Windscreen cover lets you claim without affecting your no-claims record.

Legal expenses

Pays solicitor and court costs if a claim is brought against your business. Legal disputes in haulage can run into tens of thousands of pounds, so this cover is worth adding.

What Levels Of Cover Are Available?

Insurers offer three cover levels for haulage fleets, each providing a different balance of protection and cost.

Cover Level What It Covers Best For
Third-party only (TPO) Damage or injury to other people and their property Older vehicles with low market value
Third-party, fire and theft (TPFT) TPO cover plus fire damage and theft of your vehicles Mid-value fleets wanting theft protection
Comprehensive TPFT cover plus accidental damage to your own vehicles and driver injuries High-value HGVs and articulated lorries

Which Vehicles Can A Haulage Fleet Policy Cover?

Most policies cover rigid lorries, articulated trucks, curtainsiders, flatbeds, refrigerated units, tankers and car transporters. Some insurers also include trailers and ancillary vehicles such as shunters or yard vehicles.

If your fleet is mainly lighter commercial vehicles under 3.5 tonnes, a fleet van insurance policy may be more cost-effective.

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What Is Not Covered By Haulage Fleet Insurance?

Standard haulage fleet policies carry exclusions that could leave you exposed if you are not aware of them.

Driving under the influence

Claims are rejected if a driver is found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of an incident. The driver may also face personal prosecution and a driving ban.

Unauthorised drivers

Any driver not named on the policy or not holding the correct licence category (C, C+E or the relevant LGV entitlement) is not covered. Always update your insurer when a new driver joins the fleet or an existing driver's licence status changes.

Unsecured or undeclared cargo

Goods in transit cover usually requires loads to be properly secured and declared according to DVSA guidelines. Unsecured cargo that shifts and causes damage may not be covered, and you could also face enforcement action for an unsafe load.

Wear and tear

Mechanical breakdowns and routine wear are maintenance issues, not insurable events. Separate breakdown cover is available as an add-on and is worth considering for older fleets where roadside failures are more likely.

Deliberate damage

Intentional damage caused by you, your drivers or your employees is excluded from every policy.

How Much Does Haulage Fleet Insurance Cost?

Haulage fleet insurance typically costs £2,000–£4,000 per vehicle per year for comprehensive cover, though the per-vehicle price drops as your fleet grows.

Fleet Size Indicative Annual Premium Typical Fleet Discount
2–4 HGVs £5,000–£14,000 5–15%
5–10 HGVs £12,000–£30,000 15–20%
11–20 HGVs £20,000–£55,000 20–25%
20+ HGVs £40,000+ 25–30%

Premiums are indicative and based on comprehensive cover for rigid and articulated HGVs carrying general goods within the UK. Fleets carrying hazardous or high-value cargo, or operating cross-border European routes, should expect premiums above these ranges.

Worked example

A haulage company insures 6 rigid lorries individually at £3,000 each, paying £18,000 in total. A fleet policy with an 18% discount brings that down to around £14,760, saving roughly £3,240 per year or £540 per vehicle.

Monthly instalments

Spreading a £14,760 fleet premium over monthly payments typically adds 8–11% to the total cost. That means paying £15,940–£16,383 over 12 months instead of the lump sum, adding £1,180–£1,623 in interest charges alone.

What Affects Your Haulage Fleet Insurance Premium?

Insurers assess a range of factors when pricing a haulage fleet policy, and small changes to any one of them can move your premium up or down.

Fleet size and vehicle types

Larger fleets qualify for bigger volume discounts, but articulated lorries and specialist vehicles such as tankers or refrigerated units cost more to insure than standard rigids.

Gross vehicle weight

Heavier vehicles cause more damage in a collision, which increases the insurer’s liability. A 44-tonne articulated lorry typically costs 40-60% more to insure than a 7.5-tonne rigid.

Cargo type

High-value, hazardous or temperature-sensitive goods increase the risk of expensive claims. Insurers charge higher premiums for fleets carrying chemicals, pharmaceuticals or chilled food.

Driver age and experience

Drivers under 25 or those with fewer than two years of HGV experience attract higher premiums. A team of experienced drivers with clean records and valid CPC qualifications helps reduce costs.

Claims history

Larger haulage fleets use confirmed claims experience (CCE) instead of a traditional no-claims discount. Smaller fleets may still use a standard NCD scale, and a clean record across either system earns lower premiums.

Operating area and routes

UK-only haulage is cheaper to insure than cross-border European routes, which carry additional risks around different road standards and longer recovery distances. Urban delivery runs in congested cities also carry a higher premium than long-haul motorway work.

Vehicle age and condition

Newer vehicles with modern safety features such as autonomous emergency braking, lane-departure warnings and reversing cameras attract lower premiums. Older HGVs without these features are rated as higher risk.

Worth Knowing

If you run fewer than five vehicles, a small fleet insurance policy may suit you better.

The Association of British Insurers publishes guidance on how claims history is assessed across different fleet sizes.

How To Save Money On Haulage Fleet Insurance

Fleet discounts of 15–25% are common for haulage operators with five or more vehicles, but there are several other ways to bring the cost down.

Compare quotes every renewal

Loyalty rarely pays in insurance, and renewing without comparing can cost hundreds or thousands of pounds across a fleet. Start looking at least four weeks before your renewal date so you have time to negotiate.

Increase voluntary excess

Raising the voluntary excess on each vehicle reduces your premium because you take on more of the risk yourself. Make sure you can afford to pay the excess on several vehicles at once if you have a bad month.

Fit telematics devices

GPS-based telematics devices track speed, braking and route efficiency. Fleets with telematics data showing safe driving can negotiate lower premiums at renewal.

Invest in driver training

Periodic CPC training keeps your drivers legal, but advanced courses in fuel-efficient driving and hazard awareness also reduce claim frequency. Some insurers offer direct discounts of 5–10% for fleets enrolled in accredited training programmes.

Improve vehicle security

Immobilisers, tracking devices and secure overnight parking all reduce theft risk. Cargo theft from HGVs costs UK businesses millions each year, so insurers reward fleets that demonstrate strong physical security measures.

Pay annually

Monthly instalments add 8–11% to your total cost. Paying the premium in a single lump sum removes the interest charge entirely.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many vehicles do you need for haulage fleet insurance?

Most insurers require at least two vehicles, though some specialist haulage providers set the minimum at three or four HGVs. If you only have two vehicles, check whether a mini fleet policy offers better value.

Is haulage fleet insurance a legal requirement?

Fleet insurance itself is not a legal requirement, but every vehicle on UK roads must carry at least third-party motor insurance under the Road Traffic Act 1988 – a fleet policy is simply a more efficient way to meet that obligation. Read more about what fleet insurance is and how it works.

Can I mix HGVs and LGVs on the same haulage fleet policy?

Yes. Most insurers allow mixed fleets that include both heavy and light goods vehicles on a single policy, though each vehicle is rated individually based on its weight and use.

What is the difference between haulage fleet insurance and HGV fleet insurance?

Haulage fleet insurance is designed for operators whose primary business is transporting goods for hire or reward. HGV fleet insurance covers any fleet of heavy goods vehicles, including own-goods operators who carry their own stock rather than third-party freight.

How is haulage fleet insurance different from courier fleet insurance?

Haulage fleet insurance covers heavy goods vehicles carrying bulk freight over longer distances. Courier fleet insurance covers lighter vehicles making multiple short-distance deliveries, typically parcels and packages.

Do I need an operator’s licence (O-licence) for haulage fleet insurance?

You need an O-licence to operate goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes commercially in the UK. Insurers will ask for your O-licence details when quoting for a haulage fleet policy.

Does haulage fleet insurance include goods in transit cover?

Not always – some comprehensive policies include goods in transit as standard, but others offer it as an optional add-on. Check your policy schedule to confirm whether the cargo you carry is covered.

Can I add or remove vehicles from my haulage fleet policy mid-term?

Yes, most fleet policies let you add or remove vehicles during the policy year. Your premium is adjusted pro rata, so you only pay for the cover you use.

Is haulage fleet insurance cheaper than insuring vehicles individually?

In most cases, yes. Fleet discounts of 15–25% are common for operators with five or more vehicles, and even a mini fleet of two or three HGVs can be cheaper to insure on a single policy than separately.

What happens if one of my drivers has a conviction?

Convictions on any driver’s licence will increase the fleet premium, but they do not automatically disqualify you from cover – declare all convictions when applying, as failure to disclose could void the policy. A commercial fleet policy may be better suited if your fleet has a mixed driver risk profile.

Can I insure vans alongside my haulage fleet?

Yes, many haulage operators also run smaller vans for local deliveries or crew transport, and most fleet insurers will include them on the same policy rated separately by vehicle type.

Chris Richards
Last Updated: 30th September, 2026
Reviewed by: Chris Richards, Insurance Specialist