Generator Insurance

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Compare generator insurance quotes from leading Australian insurers. Cover for diesel, portable and industrial generators for construction, mining and 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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Generator Insurance

Specialist cover for portable, mobile and industrial generators across Australia.

Generators provide critical power supply for construction sites, mining operations, events, emergency backup, telecommunications, agriculture and remote facilities across Australia. From compact 5 kVA portable units to large 1,000+ kVA containerised diesel generators, these machines are essential to operations that cannot rely on mains power. Generator values range from a few thousand dollars for small portable units to over $500,000 for large industrial sets. Generator insurance protects these assets against accidental damage, theft, fire, mechanical breakdown and third party liability, whether used for own operations, dry hire or standby backup.

What Types of Generators Can Be Insured?
Generator insurance covers the full range of power generation equipment used in Australia:

  • Portable Generators (1-15 kVA): Compact, trailer-mounted or skid-mounted units used on small construction sites, events and residential backup. Common brands include Honda, Yamaha, Crommelins and Kubota.
  • Mobile Site Generators (15-100 kVA): Diesel-powered units for construction sites, mining exploration camps and temporary installations. Popular brands include Atlas Copco (Airman), Denyo, CAT and Cummins.
  • Large Industrial Generators (100-1,000+ kVA): High-capacity diesel generator sets for major construction projects, mining operations, data centres and emergency standby power. Brands include CAT, Cummins, Perkins, MTU and Volvo Penta.
  • Containerised Generator Sets: Weather-protected, sound-attenuated generators housed in shipping containers for remote sites, mining camps and long-term temporary power.
  • Lighting Towers: Generator-powered mobile lighting units used on construction sites, road works, events and emergency services. Often insured alongside generator fleets.
  • Towable Generators: Road-registerable trailer-mounted generators designed for frequent moves between sites in hire fleet and contracting operations.

What Does Generator Insurance Cover?

  • Material Damage: Covers accidental damage, fire, theft, storm, flood, vandalism and malicious damage to your generator. This includes damage from power surges, overloading incidents and fuel contamination caused by insured events.
  • Third Party / Road Risk: Covers property damage caused by your generator to other vehicles, property or infrastructure while being towed on public roads or operating on worksites.
  • Public Liability: Protects against claims for injury or property damage arising from the operation of your generator, including exhaust fumes, fuel spills, noise and electrical faults.
  • Downtime / Loss of Use: Provides daily payments when your generator is unable to work following an insured event. For hire companies and critical backup applications, generator availability is essential.
  • Hired-In Plant: If you hire a generator from a third party, this covers damage to the machine while in your care, custody and control.
  • Transit Cover: Protects your generator while being transported or towed between sites.
  • Machinery Breakdown: Optional cover for mechanical and electrical breakdown of engine, alternator and control systems, particularly valuable for older units outside warranty.

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

  • Sum Insured Value: The replacement or agreed value of the generator. Large industrial units valued over $300,000 attract proportionally higher premiums.
  • Use Type: Generators used for own backup power are generally cheaper to insure than hire fleet units that are deployed across multiple sites and operated by different users.
  • Location and Environment: Generators on remote mining sites, outdoor events and flood-prone areas face different risk profiles to those in secure industrial premises.
  • Claims History: A clean claims record results in more competitive premiums. Theft claims are common for portable generators and significantly affect pricing.
  • Fleet Size: Operators with multiple generators and lighting towers may qualify for fleet rates and volume discounts.
  • Security: GPS tracking, secure enclosures, lockable fuel caps and site security measures reduce theft risk and may attract premium discounts.

Indicative Pricing Guide
As a general guide, comprehensive generator insurance in Australia is typically priced at 2% to 4% of the sum insured value per year:

  • Portable Generator ($2K-$15K): $100 - $500 per year
  • Mobile Site Generator ($15K-$80K): $400 - $2,500 per year
  • Large Industrial Generator ($80K-$500K+): $2,000 - $15,000+ per year

Key Considerations for Generator Owners

  • Theft Is the Primary Risk: Generators, particularly portable and towable units, are among the most commonly stolen items of plant equipment in Australia. GPS tracking, lockable enclosures, wheel locks and secured fuel caps are strongly recommended and may be required by insurers.
  • Fuel Contamination and Spills: Diesel contamination can cause serious engine damage. Fuel spills on worksites can trigger environmental cleanup costs. Ensure your policy addresses fuel-related incidents and consider environmental liability cover for larger installations.
  • Machinery Breakdown Cover: Engines, alternators and automatic transfer switches are complex mechanical and electrical systems prone to breakdown. Adding machinery breakdown cover protects against failures that standard accidental damage policies exclude, especially for older units.
  • Hire Fleet Considerations: Generator hire companies face high utilisation, frequent transport and exposure to multiple operators. Ensure your fleet policy covers all units with accurate individual values and includes transit, theft and hired-out plant liability.
  • Consequential Loss: Standard generator insurance covers the machine itself but not the financial consequences of a power failure. If your business depends on continuous power, discuss business interruption and consequential loss cover with your broker.

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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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Types of Equipment Insurance

We insure all types of plant, machinery and equipment across Australia. Select a category to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about Generator Insurance and General Enquiries

How much does generator insurance cost in Australia?

Premiums are typically 2% to 4% of the sum insured per year. A $50,000 mobile site generator might cost $1,200 to $2,000 per year for comprehensive cover. Use type, security measures and claims history all influence the final price. Request a free quote for an accurate indication.

Does generator insurance cover theft?

Yes. Comprehensive generator insurance includes cover for theft, which is the most common claim type for portable and towable generators. Insurers may require GPS tracking, lockable enclosures, wheel locks and secure site storage. Higher excesses may apply if minimum security standards are not met.

Can I insure a fleet of generators and lighting towers?

Yes. Multiple generators, lighting towers and ancillary power equipment can be insured under a single plant and machinery policy. Each item should be individually listed with an accurate sum insured value. Fleet rates and volume discounts often apply to larger fleets.

Does generator insurance cover mechanical breakdown?

Standard material damage policies cover accidental damage but generally exclude mechanical or electrical breakdown. Separate machinery breakdown cover can be arranged for engines, alternators, control panels and automatic transfer switches. This is particularly valuable for older generators outside manufacturer warranty.

Is my generator covered while being towed between sites?

Road risk and transit cover protects your generator while being towed or transported between worksites. Towable generators must meet state registration, lighting and safety chain requirements for road travel. Confirm transit cover is included in your policy.

Does generator insurance cover fuel spills or contamination?

Accidental fuel contamination causing engine damage may be covered under comprehensive material damage policies. Environmental cleanup costs from fuel spills may require separate environmental liability cover. Discuss fuel-related risks with your broker, especially for large installations on sensitive sites.

Is a hired generator covered if it is damaged on my site?

Hired-in plant cover protects you against damage to a generator hired from a third party while in your care, custody and control. Without this cover, you would be personally liable for the full repair or replacement cost. Check your hire agreement for insurance requirements.

Which insurers cover generators in Australia?

Shielded compares quotes from specialist plant and machinery insurers including GT Insurance, Chubb, CGU, Zurich, QBE, Vero and Hollard. The best insurer depends on the generator 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.