Harvester & Header Insurance

Yes. Comprehensive harvester insurance includes cover for fire, which is the most significant peril during harvest season. Insurers strongly recommend or require on-board fire-suppression systems, extinguishers and regular maintenance. Some policies may impose higher excesses for fire claims during declared fire danger periods.

Yes. Headers, draper fronts and specialty platforms should be individually listed on your policy with accurate replacement values. They are high-value items and are typically not automatically included with the base harvester. Ensure each front is listed as a separate item on your schedule.

If you do contract harvesting, your policy must specifically cover this use type. Contract work involves additional risks including long-distance road travel, unfamiliar properties and extended operating hours. Advise your broker if you intend to do any contract harvesting so the policy is correctly rated.

Standard plant and machinery policies cover accidental damage but generally exclude mechanical or electrical breakdown. Separate machinery breakdown cover can be arranged for critical components like engines, transmissions and rotor drives. This is especially valuable for older machines outside manufacturer warranty.

Some insurers offer reduced premiums during the storage period when the harvester is not in use. The machine still faces risks from storm, theft and vandalism while stored, so maintaining at least basic cover is advisable. Discuss seasonal cover options with your broker.

Insurers may require or recommend GPS tracking, immobilisers, key removal policies and secure shed storage during the off-season. Machines stored in open paddocks without security measures may face higher premiums or restricted theft cover. Fire-suppression systems are also increasingly expected.

Shielded compares quotes from specialist plant and agricultural machinery 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.