
Business vehicle insurance is a must-have for any business with a fleet of vehicles. In New Zealand, having the right cover can save you from financial losses in case of accidents or vehicle damage.
To get the right cover, you need to consider the type of vehicles you have, their usage, and the level of risk involved. This will help you choose the right policy that suits your business needs.
Having a business vehicle insurance policy can provide you with peace of mind, knowing that you and your business are protected in case of unexpected events.
Types of Business Vehicle Insurance
If you're running a business that relies on trucks, it's essential to consider insurance to protect your assets and business.
You should consider tailored truck insurance to cover your specific needs.
For logging trucks, heavy vehicles, and transport businesses, insurance is a must unless you're financially able to self-insure.
Public liability insurance is a good starting point to cover potential risks to others.

Carriers liability insurance is also crucial to protect you from potential losses.
Associated storage operation cover can be beneficial if you need to store goods temporarily during transportation.
Here are some key types of business vehicle insurance to consider:
- Tailored truck insurance
- Public liability insurance
- Carriers liability
- Associated storage operation (cover for goods which need to be stored temporarily during the transportation process).
Personal vs Business Car
Personal car insurance covers your private vehicle only for personal use, and some insurers might not cover a claim for an accident that happened while the car was being used for work.
Business vehicle insurance is specifically designed for vehicles used for commercial purposes and often has extra benefits tailored to commercial drivers.
You can use a business vehicle for personal purposes, but it's essential to read your product disclosure statement and speak to your insurance broker to confirm the full inclusions and exclusions of your policy.
A commercial fleet policy can cover a fleet of light to mid-weight vehicles, but trucks and large vans need to be insured under a separate truck and heavy motor vehicle policy.
If you're an owner, director, or partner of a business, your personal vehicle can be covered under a commercial motor policy, as long as your personal vehicle doesn't make up a majority of the policy.
Types to Consider
If you're a business owner with a truck, you should consider insurance to protect your business and assets. Unless you're in a financial position to self-insure, it's a must-have.
Tailored truck insurance is a must for all logging trucks, heavy vehicles, and transport businesses and operators. This type of insurance helps cover your truck in case of accidents or damage.
Public liability insurance is also a good idea, as it protects you and your business from claims made by third parties. This includes customers, pedestrians, and other road users.
Carriers liability insurance is another important type of insurance to consider. It helps cover your business in case of accidents or damage while transporting goods.
Associated storage operation coverage is a must for businesses that need to store goods temporarily during transportation. This type of insurance helps cover your business in case of damage or loss of goods.
Here are some common insurance packages to consider:
- Tailored truck insurance
- Public liability insurance
- Carriers liability
- Associated storage operation (cover for goods which need to be stored temporarily during the transportation process)
Policy Details
Business vehicle insurance in New Zealand requires you to have a valid driver's license.
The minimum coverage required by law is Third Party Property Damage, which covers damage to other people's property.
You can choose from a range of excess options to suit your needs, with some policies offering a lower excess in exchange for a higher premium.
Example
Commercial truck insurance can cover the cost of repairing damage to the vehicle, as seen in the case of Harry's logging truck. This can be a significant expense, especially for small business owners.
The cost of traffic management while the highway is cleared can also be covered by insurance, as Harry's insurer did. This can include the cost of personnel and equipment to clear the road.
In the case of Harry's logging truck, the insurer covered the cost of repairing the damage done to the car behind. This highlights the importance of liability coverage in commercial truck insurance.
Policy Options

You've got options when it comes to commercial vehicle insurance in New Zealand. We can help cover multiple vehicles of different kinds, including sedans, utes, trucks, vans, and more.
There are four primary types of policies to choose from: Third Party, Third Party Fire and Theft, Comprehensive, and Fleet. These policies can be tailored to suit your business requirements and budget.
You can opt for commercial vehicle insurance that covers agreed value, sum insured, or market value if your commercial vehicles are stolen or damaged beyond repair. This can give you peace of mind knowing you're protected.
If a company car is involved in an accident, we can help get your vehicle back on the road as soon as possible with one call. This can save you time and hassle.
You may also want to consider commercial fleet insurance if you have a fleet of 15 or more cars. This can help simplify your insurance arrangements and save you money.

Here are some of the key benefits of commercial vehicle insurance:
- Agreed value cover for stolen or damaged vehicles
- Emergency accommodation and travel cover if a company vehicle is no longer roadworthy
- Cover for employees' vehicles used for business purposes
- Commercial fleet insurance for fleets of 15 or more cars
By choosing the right policy, you can ensure your business is protected and your vehicles are insured against a range of risks.
Coverage and Exclusions
Commercial vehicle insurance in New Zealand comes in three main levels: third-party, third-party, fire and theft, and comprehensive cover. Each level provides varying degrees of protection against accidents and damage to your vehicle or others.
Comprehensive cover is the most extensive, providing protection against accidents, theft, fire, and damage to your vehicle, including windscreen repairs and total write-offs. This level of cover is ideal for business owners who want to ensure their commercial vehicle is protected in various scenarios.
When choosing a commercial vehicle insurance policy, it's essential to carefully read the policy document and policy wordings to understand the extent of coverage and any exclusions or conditions that may apply. This will help you avoid any unexpected surprises in the event of a claim.

Here are some key areas where commercial vehicle insurance may not provide coverage:
- Pre-existing damage
- Inebriated or impaired drivers
- Failure to disclose information
- Legal liability claims already covered by other schemes or insurance
These exclusions vary from insurer to insurer, so it's crucial to review your policy carefully to understand what's not covered.
What Cover Include
Commercial vehicle insurance policies in New Zealand typically cover a range of risks, including accidental damage to a third party's property, theft, vandalism, and fire.
A typical commercial vehicle policy can cover loss or damage after an insured event, such as fire, hail, storms, theft, and malicious damage. This can include costs associated with repairing or replacing the vehicle.
Vehicle replacement is also often covered, as well as accidental damage to a third party's property. In some cases, policies may also cover costs of a hire car following theft, damage, or emergencies.
Here are some common inclusions in a commercial vehicle policy:
- Loss or damage after an insured event
- Vehicle replacement
- Accidental damage to a third party's property
- Costs of a hire car following theft, damage, or emergencies
- Broken windscreens or window glass
- Towing
It's essential to read your product disclosure statement for a full list of inclusions and exclusions specific to your policy.
General Exclusions

Commercial vehicle insurance policies, like any insurance policy, come with exclusions and conditions that may not provide coverage for certain situations.
Pre-existing damage is not covered by most commercial vehicle insurance policies, so it's essential to disclose any existing issues with your vehicle before purchasing a policy.
Inebriated or impaired drivers are also not covered, so it's crucial to ensure all drivers are sober and licensed before getting behind the wheel.
Failure to disclose information, such as past claims or driving history, can also void your policy and leave you without coverage.
Here are some common exclusions to be aware of:
- Pre-existing damage
- Inebriated or impaired drivers
- Failure to disclose information
- Legal liability claims you're already covered for
These exclusions may vary depending on the insurer and the type of vehicle, so it's essential to read your policy carefully and ask questions if you're unsure about what's covered and what's not.
Personal Property Coverage in Motor Policy
You can cover your personal vehicle under a commercial motor policy, but only if you're an owner, director, or partner of the business and your personal vehicle doesn't make up a majority of the policy.

It's a common misconception that personal vehicles can't be covered under a commercial policy, but with the right conditions, it's possible.
To qualify for personal property coverage, you'll need to meet the specific criteria outlined in your policy.
If you're unsure about your policy's requirements, it's best to consult with your insurance provider for clarification.
Personal property coverage can provide peace of mind and financial protection for your personal vehicle, which is a valuable asset.
Fleet and Liability Coverage
If you have a fleet of business vehicles, you can take out commercial motor fleet insurance, which covers 15 or more vehicles under one policy. This can greatly reduce the administrative burden and make the management of your fleet easier.
You can choose between third-party, third-party fire and theft, and comprehensive levels of coverage. Some comprehensive fleet policies even cover your employees' vehicles, up to the sum insured, if they need to use it to carry out their duties.
Commercial fleet insurance can be included within a broader business insurance policy, making it easier to tailor the policy to your needs.
Hire

Hire is an essential aspect of fleet and liability coverage. If your business vehicle is rendered undriveable while en route to an important event, you can cover the cost of a replacement hire car.
Our packages can include cover for hired vehicles and heavy mobile plant hire. This could be a logging truck on loan while you complete a big job, or machinery like a crane.
A typical commercial vehicle policy can cover loss or damage after an insured event, such as fire, hail, storms, theft, and malicious damage.
Vehicle replacement is also a common inclusion in commercial vehicle policies. This means you can get back on the road quickly if your vehicle is stolen or severely damaged.
If you're involved in an accident, your policy may cover accidental damage to a third party's property. This includes any damage to other vehicles, buildings, or personal property.
Here's a quick rundown of some common inclusions in commercial vehicle policies:
- Loss or damage after an insured event
- Vehicle replacement
- Accidental damage to a third party's property
- Costs of a hire car following theft, damage, or emergencies
- Broken windscreens or window glass
- Towing
Fleet Cover

If you have a fleet of business vehicles, you're in luck - you can arrange to cover 15 or more cars under one policy with commercial fleet insurance. This can greatly reduce the administrative burden and make the management of your fleet easier.
You can choose between third-party, third-party fire and theft, and comprehensive levels, and shape your fleet policy in a way that suits your needs. Some comprehensive fleet policies even go so far as to cover your employees' vehicles, up to the sum insured, if they need to use it to carry out their duties.
Commercial fleet insurance can cover a wide range of vehicles, including those that are hired or leased, such as logging trucks or cranes. This can provide peace of mind and financial protection in case of an accident or other unforeseen event.
Here are some key benefits of commercial fleet insurance:
- Covers 15 or more vehicles under one policy
- Reduces administrative burden
- Can provide a better deal on a per-vehicle basis
- Can cover hired or leased vehicles
- Can cover employees' vehicles, up to the sum insured
Business vehicle insurance can be included within a broader business insurance policy, which can make the process of tailoring the policy to your needs slightly easier. This is because the insurer will have already developed an understanding of your business needs.
Up to $50M Legal Liability

Having up to $50 million in legal liability coverage can be a huge relief for businesses that own and operate commercial vehicles. This level of protection is typically provided by a standard commercial vehicle policy.
You'll want to review your policy document carefully to understand the extent of your coverage and any exclusions or conditions that may apply. This is especially important to ensure you're adequately protected against potential risks.
Commercial vehicle insurance policies come in three main levels: Third-party, Third-party, fire and theft, and Comprehensive cover. Each level offers varying degrees of protection, but Comprehensive cover provides the most extensive coverage.
Here are the three main levels of commercial vehicle insurance:
Commercial liability cover is a crucial component of commercial vehicle insurance, providing protection against the unavoidable risks associated with owning commercial vehicles. This type of cover can help your business recover from unexpected events, such as accidents or damage caused by employees.
Unlicensed Drivers

Driving without a valid license can have serious consequences for your fleet's liability coverage. If the driver of the commercial vehicle at the time of an accident doesn't hold a valid license, the insurance may not provide coverage.
General aging, breakdowns, or damage due to lack of maintenance are not covered by insurance policies. This means that if your vehicle is in poor condition, you won't be able to rely on your insurance to cover the costs of repairs.
Premiums and Factors
The cost of business vehicle insurance in New Zealand can vary significantly depending on several factors. Your vehicle's make and model, for instance, can impact the premium.
The nature of your business is another crucial factor. This includes the type of goods you're transporting, the frequency of use, and the number of vehicles you're insuring. Your commercial vehicle claims history also plays a significant role in determining the premium.

The coverage you choose is another factor that affects the premium. This includes the level of coverage, the type of coverage, and any additional features you may want. Insurers are required to publicly disclose who their products are appropriate for and any conditions for distributing these.
A target market determination (TMD) document outlines this information, which can help you make an informed decision. The type of vehicle being insured, its market value or agreed value, and its location are also key factors in calculating the premium.
The items being transported, such as freight, stock, or business assets, can also impact the premium. This is because the value of the items being transported can affect the level of coverage needed.
Here's a breakdown of the key factors that affect the premium:
Your claims history is also taken into account when calculating the premium. This includes the number and severity of claims, as well as the items being transported. The type of vehicle being insured, its market value or agreed value, and its location are also key factors.
Claims and Support

Handling insurance claims can be a real challenge, especially when you're already juggling a lot on your plate. Marsh can help take the load off by managing, negotiating and settling claims with insurers on your behalf.
If you're responsible for managing a fleet of vehicles, accidents can be a major concern. Access accident management services when you arrange your commercial vehicle policy, so you can rest assured that everything will be taken care of in the event of an accident.
Downtime Cover
Downtime Cover is a crucial aspect of commercial vehicle insurance, and it's designed to help you get back on the road quickly if your insured truck is off the road due to a crash.
Loss-of-use insurance can provide cover to hire a replacement vehicle, which can be a huge relief if you rely on your truck for business.
Accidents can happen to anyone, and having access to accident management services can make a big difference in getting your truck back on the road as soon as possible.
Vehicle accidents are a prevalent concern, and having a plan in place can help minimize the disruption to your business.
Claims Support

Handling insurance claims can be overwhelming, especially when you're already busy. Marsh can help take the load off by managing, negotiating, and settling claims with insurers on your behalf.
Marsh can help with financial advice, but that's a separate disclosure.
Marsh offers road and crisis management, which includes covering the costs involved in road clearing and cargo recovery if an insured truck is involved in an accident on the road.
Marsh can help with claims support, and here's what that entails:
- Marsh can help with financial advice, but that's a separate disclosure.
- Marsh offers road and crisis management, which includes covering the costs involved in road clearing and cargo recovery if an insured truck is involved in an accident on the road.
Getting a Quote and Coverage
You can usually get a quote for commercial vehicle cover in 5 minutes or less by calling us or filling out our online application. This is a convenient option for busy business owners who need to get their vehicle insured quickly.
Our policies typically include benefits such as an emergency accommodation allowance, medical costs, load recovery, defence costs and new vehicle replacement if your vehicle is less than one year old. These benefits can provide valuable protection for your business in the event of an accident or other unexpected event.
To get a quote, you'll need to provide some basic information, including:
- The name of your business
- The make, model and registration of the vehicle
- The amount you want to insure the vehicle for
- What you are using the vehicle for
- Your claims history
How to Get a Quote

Getting a quote for commercial vehicle cover is a straightforward process. You can usually get a quote in 5 minutes or less by calling us or filling out our online application.
To get started, you'll need some basic information about your business and vehicle. This includes the name of your business, the make, model, and registration of the vehicle, and the amount you want to insure the vehicle for.
You'll also need to provide information about how you're using the vehicle, which is an important factor in determining the level of coverage you need. The more information you can provide, the more accurate your quote will be.
To get a quote, you'll typically need to provide the following details: the name of your business, the make, model, and registration of the vehicle, the amount you want to insure the vehicle for, what you're using the vehicle for, and your claims history.
Here are the specific details you'll need to provide:
- The name of your business
- The make, model, and registration of the vehicle
- The amount you want to insure the vehicle for
- What you're using the vehicle for
- Your claims history
Tailored Solutions

If you have a fleet of business vehicles, you can get commercial fleet cover with one policy. This can be a cost-effective option, especially for larger fleets.
You can also get tailored vehicle cover for trucks and heavy vehicles, which includes coverage for your own vehicle, third-party property, and even hired or borrowed trucks.
Gallagher offers flexible commercial vehicle insurance solutions that can be tailored to your specific needs. You can choose from a range of options, including fleet insurance, bike and motorcycle insurance, and truck insurance.
Here's a breakdown of some of the commercial vehicle insurance options available:
If you're looking for a more specialized solution, you can also consider tailored business insurance solutions designed specifically for businesses with trucks and heavy vehicles.
Importance and Protection
Business vehicle insurance in New Zealand is a must-have for any business that owns or operates vehicles. The average cost of business vehicle insurance typically ranges between NZ$50 – NZ$100 per month.

Having a comprehensive commercial vehicle insurance policy can protect your business from financial losses resulting from accidents, theft, damage, or other mishaps involving business vehicles. This cover also provides legal liability protection arising from accidents involving business vehicles.
It's crucial to have business vehicle coverage if your business owns or leases vehicles, has employees who drive company cars, transports goods or people, or operates heavy vehicles.
Why Is Important
Having business vehicle insurance is crucial for protecting your business from unexpected incidents. A comprehensive commercial vehicle insurance policy provides protection against numerous risks daily.
Fender benders in the car park to major collisions on the highway are just a few examples of the types of incidents that can occur. These incidents can lead to hefty repair costs and legal fees.
A commercial vehicle policy serves as a safety net, helping you manage these risks and ensuring that unexpected incidents don't derail your business. Its affordability makes it a wise investment, with the average cost of business vehicle insurance typically ranging between NZ$50 – NZ$100 per month.

If your business owns or operates vehicles, it's essential to have business vehicle coverage. This includes having employees who drive company cars, transporting goods or people, or operating heavy vehicles.
Here are some scenarios where business vehicle coverage is crucial:
- Owns or leases vehicles
- Has employees who drive company cars
- Transports goods or people
- Operates heavy vehicles
Having business vehicle insurance provides legal liability protection arising from accidents involving business vehicles, including coverage for legal liability for the damage to someone else's property and potential court-ordered payments.
Crucial Business Coverage
If your business owns or leases vehicles, it's crucial to have business vehicle coverage. This type of insurance provides protection against financial losses due to accidents, theft, damage, or other mishaps involving business vehicles.
Having business vehicle insurance is especially important if you have employees who drive company cars. In fact, it's estimated that the average cost of business vehicle insurance in New Zealand is between NZ$50 – NZ$100 per month, making it a wise investment.
Business vehicle insurance can protect your assets, including heavy vehicles, whether you have a freight fleet or bulk cartage. It can also cover 15 or more cars under one policy with commercial fleet insurance.

If your business transports goods or people, or operates heavy vehicles, business vehicle coverage is crucial. In fact, it's essential to have a comprehensive commercial motor vehicle policy that covers all the incidents above, as well as when you or another person causes accidental damage to your vehicle.
Here are the three main levels of cover for commercial vehicle insurance:
- Third-party: Covers accidental damage to a third party's property.
- Third-party, fire and theft: Covers the same incidents as above, as well as incidents in which your commercial vehicle is stolen or damaged by fire.
- Comprehensive cover: Covers all the incidents above, as well as when you or another person causes accidental damage to your vehicle.
Specific Vehicle Coverage
You can insure a fleet of light to mid-weight vehicles under a commercial fleet policy, but trucks and large vans will need to be insured under a truck and heavy motor vehicle policy.
If your business owns or leases vehicles, you'll need business vehicle coverage to protect your assets. This includes vehicles used for transporting goods or people, or for heavy operations.
Key vehicle types to consider insuring include:
It's crucial to have the right policy for your specific vehicle needs to ensure you're adequately protected.
Truck Cost
Commercial truck and heavy vehicle insurance in New Zealand can be a significant expense for businesses. The cost of your insurance package depends on various factors, including the type of trucks or heavy vehicles you have.

Factors such as the nature and location of your trucking business also play a role in determining the cost of your insurance. This means that businesses operating in high-risk areas or with a high volume of deliveries may need to pay more for their insurance.
The cost of commercial truck and heavy vehicle insurance can vary widely depending on your specific needs. Our interest-free monthly payments option means that qualifying fleets can spread the cost of their insurance over the period of the policy.
Here's a rough breakdown of the types of policies you may need to consider:
Keep in mind that the specific costs and coverage options will depend on your individual circumstances and the needs of your business.
New Replacement
Replacing a vehicle can be a costly affair, but our coverage can help cover the cost of a brand-new vehicle of the same make and model.
Repairing a vehicle can be expensive, but replacing it is another story altogether. We can help cover the cost of a brand-new vehicle – of the same make and model – if yours goes down for the count.
Do Modifications Affect?

Vehicle modifications can indeed affect your commercial vehicle policy. You must advise the insurer of any modifications when you take the policy out and of any subsequent modifications after the policy commences.
These might include engine modifications, signwriting or the addition of permanent accessories. If you fail to declare modifications, your vehicle may not be covered in the event that you need to make a claim.
Trucks
Trucks are a crucial part of many industries, but they come with unique risks that standard insurance policies may not cover.
Commercial truck and heavy vehicle insurance is designed specifically for industries that rely on trucks, such as logistics and construction. This type of insurance is tailored to the specific needs of trucking businesses.
Long driving hours and handling customer goods can put trucks at risk, which is why a commercial truck insurance package typically includes public liability insurance. This helps protect the business in case of accidents or damages.

Cargo insurance is also a crucial component of a commercial truck insurance package, as it covers the goods being transported. This is especially important for industries that rely on transporting high-value or sensitive goods.
Our brokers work closely with trucking businesses to understand their specific needs and arrange insurance that meets those needs. Whether you're a solo owner/operator or in charge of a fleet of trucks, they can help you find the right insurance coverage.
Help in NZ
Help in NZ, you can count on us to be your advocate in the event of a commercial motor insurance claim. We'll work to get you a fair and prompt result.
We have comprehensive commercial vehicle insurance options available, and our brokers can help you arrange the right cover to protect your business assets.
You can talk to one of our brokers to get started.
Sources
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