Fuel Tanker Insurance

Premiums are among the highest in commercial motor insurance. Comprehensive cover for a single rigid fuel tanker typically starts from $8,000 to $15,000 per year, while B-double fuel combinations may range from $15,000 to $30,000 or more. Environmental liability cover is often quoted on top of these figures. The best way to get an accurate price is to request a free quote through Shielded Insurance.

Not always. Some comprehensive motor policies include limited environmental cover, but many require a separate environmental liability endorsement or standalone policy. Given the potential cost of a fuel spill - which can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars for clean-up, soil remediation and waterway contamination - dedicated environmental cover with adequate limits is strongly recommended.

Yes. Drivers operating fuel tankers must hold the appropriate heavy vehicle licence class as well as a current Dangerous Goods (DG) driver licence or endorsement as required by state or territory regulations. If a driver is involved in an incident and does not hold the required licences, the insurer may deny the claim.

This depends on the policy. Many standard motor policies only cover incidents while the vehicle is in transit. For fuel tanker operators, it is essential to ensure the policy extends to cover operations during loading and unloading at depots, service stations and customer sites, where a significant proportion of spill incidents actually occur.

Yes. Fleet policies are available for operators running multiple fuel tankers. Fleet cover offers simplified administration, consistent renewal dates and potentially better rates. Shielded Insurance compares fleet options from specialist dangerous goods insurers including NTI, Zurich and Allianz.

Non-compliance with the Australian Dangerous Goods Code can have serious consequences for your insurance claim. Insurers may reduce or deny the claim if the vehicle was not properly placarded, the driver lacked a DG licence, safety equipment was not maintained or the vehicle had not passed its required inspections. Maintaining full ADG compliance at all times is critical.

Due to the specialist nature of the risk, not all commercial motor insurers will underwrite fuel tankers. Shielded Insurance works with insurers experienced in dangerous goods transport, including NTI, Zurich, Allianz and selected Lloyd's underwriters, to source competitive terms for fuel tanker operators.

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.