Tautliner / Curtainsider Insurance

Comprehensive cover for a single tautliner trailer typically ranges from $1,500 to $5,000+ per year depending on the trailer's value, age and operating use. B-double tautliner sets can reach $4,000-$8,000+. Cargo cover is usually quoted separately. Request a free quote from Shielded for an accurate price.

Yes. The soft side curtains can be slashed or opened relatively easily compared to solid-walled van trailers, making tautliners more exposed to opportunistic cargo theft. Security measures like GPS tracking, tamper-evident curtain buckles and secure overnight parking help mitigate this risk and can reduce insurance premiums.

Yes. Forklift punctures and tears to side curtains are covered under a comprehensive policy as accidental damage. Curtain replacement costs $3,000-$8,000 per side, so this is a valuable inclusion. Some operators choose higher excesses for curtain claims to manage premium costs on frequent minor damage.

Yes. The prime mover and tautliner trailer require separate cover, either as individual policies or under a combined fleet arrangement. Each trailer must be individually declared with its own sum insured. If you tow tautliners you don't own, you also need non-owned trailer liability cover.

Custom branding and livery on tautliner curtains can be included in the sum insured, but it must be declared. Replacement curtains with matching livery cost significantly more than plain curtains. If you don't declare the livery value, you may face a shortfall at claim time.

Tautliners carry almost everything - palletised goods, FMCG products, building materials, automotive parts, furniture, electronics and e-commerce freight. The type of goods carried affects the insurance premium and cargo cover requirements. High-value consumer goods and alcohol attract higher premiums due to theft risk.

Shielded compares quotes from specialist transport insurers including Zurich, NTI, CGU, Allianz, QBE, Vero and Hollard. Tautliners are the most common trailer type in Australia, so all major transport insurers cover them. The best insurer depends on the trailer value, goods carried and operating profile.

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.