Flatbed & Tray Truck Insurance

Premiums vary depending on the vehicle value, tray type, operating radius and claims history. As a rough guide, comprehensive cover for a single light to medium tray truck runs between $2,500 and $8,000 per year, while heavy tilt trays and crane trucks may range from $6,000 to $14,000 or more. The best way to get an accurate price is to request a free quote through Shielded Insurance.

It depends on how your sum insured is set. You need to ensure the declared value includes the replacement cost of the tray body, headboard, toolboxes, cranes, hiabs and any other aftermarket equipment fitted to the truck. If these items are not included in the sum insured, they may not be covered in a total loss. Always declare the full replacement value when taking out your policy.

Standard motor vehicle insurance covers the truck itself but generally does not cover the goods being carried. You need a separate goods in transit or cargo insurance policy to protect freight on your tray. Given that open-bed trucks are more exposed to weather, road debris and theft than enclosed vehicles, cargo cover is strongly recommended.

Yes. Regardless of whether you operate within a single suburb or across multiple states, commercial motor insurance is essential. Even short local trips carry risk of collision, theft and third-party claims. Operating locally may help reduce your premium compared to long-distance or interstate operators.

If cargo falls from your truck and damages another vehicle or property, your third party property damage or public liability cover should respond to the third-party claim. However, damage to the cargo itself requires separate goods in transit cover. Insurers may also apply additional excesses or decline claims if the load was not properly restrained in accordance with Australian load restraint guidelines.

Yes. Fleet policies are available for operators running multiple tray trucks and offer simplified administration, consistent renewal dates and potentially better rates. Shielded Insurance compares fleet options from insurers including NTI, Zurich, CGU and QBE to find the most cost-effective arrangement for your business.

Shielded Insurance compares quotes from specialist transport insurers including Zurich, NTI, CGU, Allianz, QBE, Vero and Hollard. The best insurer for your situation depends on your vehicle type, goods carried, operating radius and claims history.

In Australia, truck insurance typically includes comprehensive motor cover (accidental damage, fire, theft and weather), third party property damage, public liability, cargo/marine transit cover, downtime or loss-of-use cover, and personal accident insurance. At Shielded, we tailor a combination of these options to match your operation – whether you run a single rigid truck or a fleet of prime movers and trailers.

Several factors influence your premium including the type and value of your truck, your claims and driving history, the goods you carry, your operating radius (metro vs interstate), the level of excess you choose, and the cover options you select. For example, a prime mover hauling dangerous goods interstate will typically attract a higher premium than a light rigid truck doing local deliveries.

You can reduce your truck insurance costs by increasing your excess, bundling multiple vehicles or cover types into one policy, maintaining a clean claims history, and using an insurance broker like Shielded to compare quotes from multiple insurers. We compare rates from Zurich, NTI, CGU, Allianz, QBE and more to find competitive pricing for your situation.

In the event of an accident or 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 so we can guide you through the claims process and help ensure a smooth outcome.

Yes, if you need full comprehensive coverage on a trailer you don't own, you'll need to list it on your policy. Some policies include default non-owned trailer coverage up to a certain limit (usually $50,000 to $100,000), but this typically covers liability only – not damage to the trailer itself. Talk to us about your towing arrangements so we can ensure you're properly covered.

Yes, comprehensive truck insurance policies in Australia include cover for both fire and theft as standard. Third party property damage policies do not include this – you need at least a third party fire and theft or comprehensive policy. If your truck is financed, your lender will usually require comprehensive cover.

Yes, if you're transporting dangerous goods (fuel, chemicals, gases etc.) you'll generally need specialist dangerous goods liability coverage. Limits can range significantly depending on the type of goods and the distances travelled, so it's important to discuss your specific requirements with us to ensure adequate protection.

Most truck insurance policies provide coverage across Australia, however some policies include a radius-of-operation limit based on what you declared when the policy was set up. If you travel outside your declared radius, additional excesses may apply or you may have issues at claim time. If your operations change, let us know so we can update your policy accordingly.

We compare quotes from a wide panel of Australian insurers including Zurich, NTI, HMIA, Penn, Global Transport (GT), ATL, CGU, Vero, Hollard, Allianz, and QBE. We're not limited to these – the best insurer depends on your truck type, what you carry, and how you operate. As brokers, we do the comparison work for you to find the most competitive and suitable cover.

Truck insurance premiums vary widely depending on the vehicle type and value, your claims history, the goods carried, and your operating radius. As a rough guide, a single rigid truck may cost between $2,000–$5,000 per year for comprehensive cover, while a prime mover and trailer combination could range from $5,000–$15,000 or more. The best way to get an accurate price is to request a free quote through Shielded.