Does truck insurance cover the cargo I am carrying?

No, standard truck insurance only covers the vehicle and third-party property damage. You generally need a separate 'Goods in Transit' or 'Marine' insurance policy to protect your cargo against theft, loss or damage during transportation.

Is public liability included as standard with a truck policy?

No, public liability is typically a separate business insurance product or an optional add-on. While your truck insurance covers motor-related accidents, public liability protects your business against claims for injury or property damage that occur during activities like loading, unloading or visiting a client site.

At what weight is a vehicle officially classified as a heavy vehicle for insurance?

A vehicle is classified as a heavy vehicle in Australia if its Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) or Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) is more than 4.5 tonnes. Vehicles below this weight are usually covered under light commercial or standard business van policies.

Am I covered for transporting hazardous or dangerous goods?

No, standard truck insurance policies generally exclude the transport of hazardous chemicals, fuels and explosives. You must obtain a specific dangerous goods endorsement or a specialized hazardous materials policy to ensure you are covered while carrying these items.

Does my insurance cover me if I drive interstate?

Yes, most policies can provide interstate cover, but you must accurately declare your 'radius of operation' to your insurer. Driving outside of your specified radius (e.g. 100km, 500km or Australia-wide) may result in a claim being denied or a higher excess being applied.

Can I claim for lost revenue while my truck is being repaired?

No, standard comprehensive truck insurance does not cover lost business income unless you have added 'Loss of Use' or 'Business Interruption' cover to your policy. This optional extra provides a weekly benefit to help cover fixed costs while your vehicle is off the road due to an insured event.