Paver Insurance

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Compare paver insurance quotes from leading Australian insurers. Cover for wheeled and tracked asphalt pavers - own use 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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Paver Insurance

Specialist cover for asphalt pavers and road paving machines across Australia.

Asphalt pavers are specialist road construction machines used to lay and finish bituminous surfaces on roads, highways, car parks, airports and industrial yards across Australia. From compact wheeled pavers handling footpath and bike path work to large tracked pavers laying eight-metre-wide highway surfaces, these machines are critical to the road construction industry. With values typically ranging from $200,000 to over $1.5 million, paver insurance protects your investment against accidental damage, mechanical breakdown, transport damage, fire and third party liability.

What Types of Pavers Can Be Insured?
Paver insurance covers the full range of asphalt laying machines used in Australian road construction:

  • Tracked Pavers: The standard for highway and large-scale paving work, offering stability and traction on soft or uneven surfaces. Paving widths from 2.5 to 13+ metres. Major brands include Vogele, CAT, Volvo (ABG), Dynapac and Bomag.
  • Wheeled Pavers: Faster on-road travel between sites and well-suited to urban paving, car parks and smaller projects.
  • Compact / Mini Pavers: Small machines for footpaths, bike paths, driveways and narrow lanes. Paving widths from 0.25 to 2 metres.
  • Highway Class Pavers: Large, high-output machines for major road and highway construction, capable of laying 1,000+ tonnes per day.
  • Screeds: The screed assembly (fixed, extending or telescopic) is a critical and high-value component of any paver, often representing 30-40% of the machine's total value.

What Does Paver Insurance Cover?

  • Material Damage: Covers accidental damage, collision, fire, theft, storm, flood and vandalism to your paver and screed assembly.
  • Mechanical/Electrical Breakdown: Covers failure of hydraulic systems, conveyors, augers, screed heating elements and electronic controls. Pavers have complex mechanical systems that operate under high temperatures and abrasive conditions.
  • Third Party Property Damage: Covers damage your paver causes to kerbs, services, road furniture or other property during paving operations.
  • Public Liability: Protects against claims for injury or property damage arising from paving operations, including burns from hot asphalt and collision with vehicles in work zones.
  • Downtime / Loss of Use: Provides daily payments when your paver cannot work following an insured event. Paving operations run on tight schedules, and downtime can halt an entire crew.
  • Transit Cover: Protects your paver while being transported on a float between sites. Tracked pavers are always floated, making transit a regular exposure.

What Affects the Cost of Paver Insurance?
Premiums for paver insurance are influenced by several factors:

  • Sum Insured Value: A $1.2 million highway paver with extending screed attracts significantly higher premiums than a $250,000 compact paver.
  • Machine Type and Size: Larger pavers with more complex screed assemblies and electronics are more expensive to repair and insure.
  • Age and Condition: Newer pavers with full service histories attract better premiums. Older machines with high hours may face higher rates.
  • Use Type: Own use within a road construction company is standard. Dry hire of pavers is less common but carries different risk.
  • Claims History: A clean record delivers better premiums. Common claims include screed damage, transport incidents and hydraulic failures.
  • Operating Environment: Highway work, airport runway paving and remote road construction each carry different risk profiles.

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

  • Compact / Mini Paver ($100K-$300K): $2,000 - $8,000 per year
  • Standard Tracked Paver ($300K-$700K): $6,000 - $20,000 per year
  • Highway Class Paver ($700K-$1.5M+): $14,000 - $45,000+ per year

Key Considerations for Paver Owners

  • Screed Assembly Value: The screed is the most expensive and damage-prone component of a paver. Ensure the screed is included in your sum insured at its full replacement value. Screed damage from cold starts, material segregation and impact can be very costly to repair.
  • Transport Damage: Pavers are transported between sites on floats. Loading, unloading and securing are common points of damage. Ensure transit cover is included and that your transport contractor carries adequate insurance.
  • Heat-Related Risk: Pavers operate with asphalt at temperatures between 140 and 180 degrees Celsius. Fire risk, burn injuries and heat damage to components are real exposures that insurers assess.
  • Work Zone Exposure: Pavers operate in active traffic zones, exposing them to collision from passing vehicles. Traffic management plans and adequate work zone protection are expected by insurers.
  • Seasonal Utilisation: Paving is seasonal in many parts of Australia, with reduced activity during wet months. Some insurers offer premium structures that reflect seasonal use patterns.

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

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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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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 Paver Insurance and General Enquiries

How much does paver insurance cost in Australia?

Premiums are typically 1.5% to 3.5% of the sum insured per year. A $500,000 tracked paver might cost $9,000 to $17,000 per year for comprehensive cover. Machine size, age, claims history and operating environment all affect pricing. Request a free quote for an accurate indication.

Does paver insurance cover screed damage?

Yes. The screed assembly is covered under material damage as part of the paver. Given that screed repairs can cost $30,000 to $100,000 or more, ensure the screed is fully valued within your sum insured. Damage from cold starts, incorrect operation and material impact are common claims.

Does paver insurance cover mechanical breakdown?

Mechanical and electrical breakdown cover can be included as an extension. This covers sudden failure of hydraulic systems, conveyors, augers, screed heating elements and electronic controls. Gradual wear from abrasive materials and normal operation is not covered.

Is my paver covered while being transported on a float?

Transit cover protects your paver while being loaded, transported and unloaded from a float or low loader. As tracked pavers must be floated between every job, this is a critical cover. Confirm transit is specifically included in your policy.

Does insurance cover fire damage from hot asphalt?

Yes. Fire is covered under comprehensive material damage. Pavers operate with asphalt at very high temperatures, creating a genuine fire risk, particularly around hydraulic lines and electrical systems. Regular maintenance and inspection of heat shields and hoses help prevent fire incidents.

Can I insure a paver fleet alongside rollers and other road construction equipment?

Yes. Road construction companies routinely insure their full plant fleet, including pavers, rollers, profilers, skid steers and trucks, under a single plant and machinery policy. Fleet policies are simpler to manage and often provide better premium rates.

Does paver insurance cover damage caused by passing traffic?

Yes. Accidental damage from a vehicle entering the work zone and striking your paver is covered under material damage. Third party property damage cover also protects you if your paving operations damage vehicles or road infrastructure. Adequate traffic management is expected by insurers.

Which insurers cover pavers in Australia?

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