Semi-Trailer Insurance

Premiums vary based on trailer type and value. As a rough guide, comprehensive cover ranges from $1,500 per year for a basic used flat top to $8,000+ for a new refrigerated van or tanker. The best approach is to request a free quote from Shielded Insurance with your specific trailer details.

If you hook up to trailers belonging to other operators or freight companies, you should carry non-owned trailer liability cover. Without it, you could be personally liable for damage to the trailer while it is in your care, custody and control. Most prime mover policies include a basic sub-limit, but it may not be enough.

Yes. Reefer trailers have higher insured values due to the refrigeration plant, and they carry additional risks including mechanical breakdown of the cooling system and potential cargo spoilage. Specific refrigeration breakdown cover is recommended in addition to standard comprehensive cover.

Yes, provided the storage location is accurately declared on your policy. Comprehensive cover protects the trailer whether it is coupled to a prime mover, parked at your depot or sitting at a customer's loading dock. Secure, fenced storage with CCTV may attract lower premiums.

If you own the trailer and it is damaged while being towed by another operator, your comprehensive policy should respond. However, you may also have a claim against the other operator's non-owned trailer liability cover. The specifics depend on the contractual arrangements and policy wordings involved.

For newer or specialised trailers (reefers, tankers, low loaders), agreed value provides certainty and is recommended. For older, commodity-type flat tops where replacement units are readily available at known market prices, market value may be sufficient and slightly cheaper.

Shielded compares quotes from specialist transport insurers including Zurich, NTI, CGU, Allianz, QBE, Vero and Hollard. Most transport-specialist insurers will cover all trailer types - flat tops, reefers, curtainsiders, tankers, drop decks and skeletal trailers - either individually or under fleet arrangements.

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.