Vacuum / Sucker Truck Insurance

Premiums typically range from $8,000 to $20,000+ per year for a single unit, depending on vehicle value, type of work and materials handled. High-specification combination units in mining or oil and gas can exceed $25,000 per year. Request a free quote from Shielded for an accurate price.

Not always. Standard commercial motor policies may only cover the cab-chassis. The vacuum pump, debris tank, high-pressure water system and associated equipment often need to be separately declared and valued. Ensure your policy explicitly covers all specialist equipment at replacement cost.

If you transport liquid waste, chemicals, hydrocarbons or contaminated materials, environmental/pollution liability cover is strongly recommended. Standard motor policies do not typically cover clean-up costs from accidental spills or discharge. An environmental liability extension protects against these potentially catastrophic costs.

Service strikes during hydro excavation can cause significant damage to gas, water, electrical and telecommunications infrastructure. Your public liability and third party property cover should address these risks. Discuss your specific operations with your broker to ensure adequate limits are in place.

Yes. Fleet policies cover multiple vacuum trucks under a single arrangement, offering simplified administration and potentially better per-unit rates. Shielded compares fleet options from insurers including Zurich, NTI, CGU, Allianz, QBE, Vero and Hollard to find the best deal for your operation.

Yes. Vacuum truck bodies and equipment are very expensive to replace - often $200,000 to $500,000+ for the body alone. Agreed value policies lock in a payout amount at renewal, ensuring you receive enough to replace the unit to the same specification if it is written off. Market value policies may not cover the full replacement cost due to depreciation.

Shielded compares quotes from specialist transport insurers including Zurich, NTI, CGU, Allianz, QBE, Vero and Hollard. The best insurer depends on your vehicle value, type of work and whether you handle hazardous or regulated materials.

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.