Bulldozer Insurance

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Compare bulldozer insurance quotes from leading Australian insurers. Cover for tracked dozers and wheel dozers - own use, dry hire and wet hire. Free quotes from Shielded Insurance.

Machinery Insurance - Comprehensive and Third Party, Road Risk Liability, Downtime Cover, Public Liability and more.

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Bulldozer Insurance

Comprehensive cover for tracked and wheeled bulldozers across Australia.

Bulldozers are among the most powerful and valuable pieces of earthmoving equipment on Australian worksites. From small D3 and D4 dozers used in residential land clearing to massive D10 and D11 machines pushing material in open-cut mines, these assets typically range from $150,000 to well over $2,000,000. Bulldozer insurance protects that investment against accidental damage, theft, fire and third party liability, whether the machine is operated for own use, dry hire or wet hire.

What Types of Bulldozers Can Be Insured?
Bulldozer insurance covers the full range of tracked and wheeled dozers used across Australia:

  • Small Tracked Dozers (D3-D5 class): Compact machines used for residential land clearing, landscaping, small subdivision work and rural property maintenance. Popular brands include CAT, Komatsu and John Deere.
  • Medium Tracked Dozers (D6-D7 class): Versatile machines for road construction, commercial earthworks, dam building and general civil works.
  • Large Tracked Dozers (D8-D11 class): Heavy-duty machines for mining, large-scale earthmoving, quarry operations and major infrastructure projects. Common brands include CAT, Komatsu, Liebherr and John Deere.
  • Wheel Dozers: Rubber-tyred dozers used for stockpile management, landfill operations and applications requiring faster travel speeds between work areas.
  • Swamp Dozers: Specialist machines fitted with extra-wide tracks for working in soft, boggy ground conditions common in northern Australia and coastal areas.

What Does Bulldozer Insurance Cover?

  • Material Damage: Covers accidental damage, collision, rollover, fire, theft, storm, flood, vandalism and malicious damage to your bulldozer. This is the core cover for any dozer owner.
  • Third Party / Road Risk: Covers property damage your bulldozer causes to other vehicles, property or infrastructure while being repositioned on public roads or operating on site.
  • Public Liability: Protects against claims for injury or property damage arising from the operation of your bulldozer on any worksite.
  • Downtime / Loss of Use: Provides daily payments when your bulldozer is unable to work following an insured event. Particularly important for hire fleet operators where utilisation directly impacts revenue.
  • Hired-In Plant: If you hire a bulldozer from a third party, this covers damage to the machine while in your care, custody and control.
  • Transit Cover: Protects your bulldozer while being transported on a float or low loader between worksites.
  • Attachments and Blades: Blades, rippers, winches, GPS grading systems and other attachments should be individually listed and covered under the policy.

What Affects the Cost of Bulldozer Insurance?
Premiums for bulldozer insurance are typically calculated as a percentage of the sum insured:

  • Sum Insured Value: The replacement or agreed value of the machine. Bulldozers are high-value assets, so even a modest rate produces a significant premium.
  • Use Type: Own use is generally cheaper than dry hire or wet hire. Hire operations involve higher utilisation, multiple operators and greater exposure to damage.
  • Operating Environment: Mining and quarry work attracts higher premiums than general civil works due to the harsher operating conditions and increased wear and tear.
  • Operator Experience: Bulldozers require skilled operators. Inexperienced operators increase the risk of track and undercarriage damage, rollovers on slopes and collisions with other plant.
  • Claims History: A clean claims record over several years results in more competitive premiums. Frequent claims for undercarriage damage or rollovers increase costs significantly.
  • Security and Storage: GPS tracking, immobilisers and secure compound storage can reduce theft risk and may attract premium discounts.

Indicative Pricing Guide
As a general guide, comprehensive bulldozer insurance in Australia is typically priced at 1.5% to 3.5% of the sum insured value per year:

  • Small Dozer - D3 to D5 class ($150K-$400K): $2,500 - $10,000 per year
  • Medium Dozer - D6 to D7 class ($400K-$800K): $6,000 - $20,000 per year
  • Large Dozer - D8 to D11 class ($800K-$2M+): $15,000 - $50,000+ per year

Key Considerations for Bulldozer Owners

  • Agreed Value vs Market Value: Given the high value of bulldozers, agreed value policies are strongly recommended. They pay a pre-determined amount in the event of a total loss, providing certainty and avoiding disputes over depreciated values.
  • Undercarriage and Track Wear: Standard policies cover accidental damage to tracks and undercarriage but not wear and tear. Maintaining undercarriage condition is critical, as replacement costs can exceed $50,000 on larger machines.
  • GPS and Machine Control Systems: Modern bulldozers are often fitted with GPS grading and machine control systems worth $30,000 to $100,000. These must be separately declared on the policy to ensure they are covered.
  • Dry Hire Agreements: If you dry hire your bulldozer, your hire agreement must clearly define the hirer's responsibilities for damage, insurance and liability. Insurers may require specific contractual terms before providing cover for hired-out plant.
  • Transport Risks: Bulldozers are heavy machines that require specialist float transport. Loading and unloading onto floats is a high-risk activity. Ensure transit cover includes loading and unloading.

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Cover Options

We can provide different levels of cover for machinery and equipment owners

Material Damage

Comprehensive cover for your plant and machinery.

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Public Liability

Protection for third party property damage or personal injury.

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Downtime

Income whilst your machinery is out of action.

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Road Risk Liability

Third party cover for equipment on public roads.

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Personal Accident

Protect your income from injury or sickness.

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Workers Compensation

Protection for your employees and operators.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about Bulldozer Insurance and General Enquiries

How much does bulldozer insurance cost in Australia?

Premiums are typically 1.5% to 3.5% of the sum insured per year. A $500,000 bulldozer might cost $7,500 to $17,500 per year for comprehensive cover. Factors including use type (own use vs hire), operating environment and claims history all affect the price. Request a free quote for an accurate indication.

Does bulldozer insurance cover theft?

Yes. Comprehensive bulldozer insurance includes cover for theft. However, insurers may require specific security measures such as GPS tracking, immobilisers and secure compound storage. Some policies impose higher excesses for theft claims if minimum security standards are not met.

Are bulldozer blades and rippers covered?

Blades, rippers, winches and other attachments should be individually listed on your policy with accurate replacement values. Standard policies typically cover the base machine only. GPS grading systems and machine control equipment also need to be separately declared.

Is my bulldozer covered during transport on a float?

Transit cover protects your bulldozer while being transported on a float or low loader between worksites. Some policies include transit as standard, while others require it as an add-on. Loading and unloading should also be covered, as this is a high-risk activity for tracked machines.

What is the difference between own use, dry hire and wet hire bulldozer insurance?

Own use means you operate the bulldozer for your own projects. Dry hire means you hire out the machine without an operator. Wet hire means you supply both the machine and operator. Each arrangement has different insurance requirements. Dry hire needs hired-out plant liability, while wet hire also requires workers compensation and public liability for the operator.

Does bulldozer insurance cover damage from working on slopes?

Yes. Accidental damage including rollovers on slopes and embankments is covered under a comprehensive material damage policy. Bulldozers frequently work on steep grades, making rollover a common risk. Proper operator training and site assessment reduces this risk and helps keep premiums competitive.

Can I insure a bulldozer used in mining operations?

Yes. Bulldozers used in mining, quarrying and heavy earthmoving can be insured under specialist plant and machinery policies. Mining use typically attracts higher premiums due to the demanding operating conditions, but cover is readily available through specialist insurers on our panel.

Which insurers cover bulldozers in Australia?

Shielded compares quotes from specialist plant insurers including GT Insurance, Chubb, CGU, Zurich, QBE, Vero and Hollard. The best insurer depends on the machine value, use type and your claims history. As brokers, we find the most competitive and suitable cover for your operation.

What types of machinery and equipment can be insured?

We provide cover for a wide range of plant and equipment including excavators, bulldozers, loaders, cranes, forklifts, boom lifts, scissor lifts, telehandlers, concrete pumps, graders, rollers, compactors, generators, and specialist mining and forestry equipment. Whether you own a single machine or manage a fleet, we tailor policies to match your operation.

What does plant and machinery insurance cover?

Plant and machinery insurance typically covers accidental damage, fire, theft, malicious damage, storm and flood damage. You can also add public liability, road risk liability for registered machines, downtime or loss of use cover, hired-in plant cover, and personal accident cover for operators. Policies can be tailored for own use, dry hire or wet hire operations.

How much does plant and machinery insurance cost in Australia?

Premiums are typically calculated as a percentage of the sum insured value, usually between 1.5% and 4% depending on the equipment type, use, and claims history. A $100,000 excavator might cost $2,000 to $4,000 per year for comprehensive cover. Fleet policies covering multiple machines can often achieve better rates. Request a free quote through Shielded for an accurate indication.

What is the difference between dry hire and wet hire insurance?

Dry hire means you hire out equipment without an operator - the hirer is responsible for operating the machine. Wet hire means the equipment comes with an operator. The insurance requirements differ significantly. Dry hire owners need material damage cover on the equipment plus hired-out plant liability. Wet hire operators also need public liability, workers compensation for operators, and potentially road risk cover.

Can I insure hired-in plant and equipment?

Yes. Hired-in plant cover protects equipment you hire from a third party while it is in your care, custody and control. Most hire agreements make the hirer responsible for damage to the equipment. Without hired-in plant cover, you could be liable for the full replacement cost of a machine that is damaged or stolen on your site.

Do I need road risk cover for my plant and machinery?

If your equipment is registered for road use and travels on public roads (e.g., rollers, graders, mobile cranes), you need road risk or third party property damage cover for when the machine is in transit. Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance covers personal injury, but it does not cover property damage to other vehicles or infrastructure.

Who do I contact to make a claim?

Contact us at Shielded Insurance on 1800 97 98 99 or reach out to your insurer directly. We recommend notifying us as soon as possible after an incident, documenting the damage with photos, and securing the equipment to prevent further loss. Our team will guide you through the claims process.

What is downtime or loss of use cover?

Downtime cover (also called loss of use or hire cost reimbursement) provides a daily or weekly payment when your equipment is off-hire or unable to work following an insured event. This helps cover the cost of hiring a replacement machine or compensates for lost revenue while your equipment is being repaired.

Which insurers does Shielded compare for plant insurance?

We compare quotes from specialist plant and equipment insurers including GT Insurance, Chubb, CGU, Zurich, QBE, Vero, Hollard, and others depending on the type of equipment and use. The best insurer depends on whether the machinery is used for own work, dry hire, wet hire, mining, or construction. As brokers, we find the most competitive and suitable cover for your operation.

Can I get a fleet policy for multiple machines?

Yes. Fleet policies covering multiple pieces of equipment under one policy can simplify administration, provide consistent renewal dates, and often achieve better premium rates than insuring each machine individually. Fleet policies are suitable for contractors, plant hire companies and mining operators with multiple assets.