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Industry

Transport insurance for businesses

Keep your business moving, and safeguard your vehicles with specialist transport insurance solutions for NZ businesses.

Specialist business insurance for transport

Whether you’re an independent truck owner-driver or you operate a larger fleet of logging trucks, you’ll need specialist insurance to protect you, your business and your vehicles.

We recommend you consider a package that covers your business liabilities, vehicles and assets, as well as the goods and cargo you transport.

At Marsh, we have a specialist team of transport brokers who understand your industry. They can work closely with you to design an insurance package that meets your business needs so you can keep moving forward with confidence. 

Who is transport insurance for business designed for? 

All transport operators need to consider insurance to cover vehicle loss and damage unless they are in a financial position to self-insure.

Many transport operators, such as logging trucks, heavy vehicles and those transporting goods and livestock, may also need insurance to cover their business risks. Long hours on the roads, the high value of goods transported, and the high value of the trucks and vehicles themselves mean that transport businesses are exposed to many risks.

Commercial transport insurance generally includes:

  • Cover for carrying units – protection for the units or vehicles used to transport goods.
  • Third-party liability – protection if there is an accident or damage caused by the transportation process that results in harm to others or their property.
  • Associated storage operation –  protection for any associated storage operations; for example, if the goods need to be stored temporarily during the transportation process, the insurance can protect against damages or losses that may occur during storage.

This means transport insurance for business may be a good option to protect any business which operates heavy vehicles or transports goods. Common examples include logging trucks, general freight, livestock cartage companies and commercial road freight fleets.

Cover we can arrange

Motor vehicle, truck and fleet insurance

Similar to motor vehicle insurance, this provides cover to repair or replace your trucks or heavy vehicles if they are damaged or destroyed in an accident. Cover is also available for your employees’ vehicles and personal effects.

Public and legal liability insurance

Defence against third-party claims. Get protection against potentially costly legal fees and claims should something happen to someone else’s property. Our team is here every step of the way to help you get a fair outcome sooner.

Carriers liability insurance

Peace of mind for you – and your clients – if your team transports goods or livestock by land, air, or ocean. Cargo insurance protects your clients’ cargo against loss, damage or delay, and freight forwarder liability insurance covers your business if something goes wrong during the journey.

Cover for trailers and hired vehicles

Insurance that covers leased vehicles and trailer-in-tow insurance for when you need to cart a trailer that another company owns.

Downtime cover

Protect your cash flow when your insured trucks are out of action. Should a crash take an insured vehicle off the road, loss-of-use insurance can help by covering lost monthly income, enabling you to hire a replacement until you’re back on the road (up to policy limit).

Rock and roll: Karim’s trucking business

Karim owns and operates a trucking business which transports fruit from packing houses to exporters. One day, one of his employed drivers unexpectedly encounters a large rock in the road while he’s driving around a blind corner. Despite the driver’s best efforts, the truck rolls. Several crates of goods are damaged – and the incident closes an essential road for four hours.

Karim has a tailored transport insurance package arranged by his brokers, which meets the specific needs of his business. Carriers liability insurance covers some of the cost of the lost cargo, and repairs to the truck are covered by motor vehicle insurance. The insurer also covers the cost of road clearing and traffic management while the road is closed.

This case study is fictional and does not represent any real-life individuals, events, or organisations.

Read more about heavy vehicle insurance 

Why Marsh?

Our industry-specialist brokers can work closely with you to design an insurance package that meets your business needs so you can keep moving forward with confidence.

National Road Carriers

Marsh is the preferred broker of the National Road Carriers Association. Our brokers understand your industry and the unique risks and needs of your business. Keep your business moving with an insurance package that our brokers tailor to your business’s requirements.

Monthly payments

Manage your business’s cash flow more efficiently by paying for your insurance policy monthly, if your business qualifies for our specialty scheme. Our interest-free monthly payments option means you can spread the cost of your insurance over the period of the policy. 

Claims support

Handling an insurance claim can be overwhelming, costly and time-consuming. Get back on the road quickly with Marsh by your side. We can work with your insurer to lodge, support and settle claims on your behalf so you can focus on what you do best. 

Why use a broker?

Choosing business insurance means navigating through products, coverages and policy terminology – with a sales pitch as your only guide. An experienced broker can spot your unique set of risks, match you to the right choice, and advocate for you on price.

female insurance broker talking to clients

Frequently asked questions

Insurers use a range of details to calculate premiums. These include your:

  • Level of cover
  • Business turnover
  • Prior claims history
  • Fleet size
  • Type of cargo.

Insurers may also factor in the number of claims they expect to receive in a year for a particular business type. 

To arrange a quote, talk to us today. We can help you understand your business risks and arrange appropriate cover to meet your insurance needs.

A certificate of currency is proof that you hold a current insurance policy.   

Please contact us once you have accepted your policy and we will arrange for a certificate of currency to be sent to you from your insurer. 

While transport operators may not be legally required to obtain a goods-in-transit policy, some clients may need a certificate of currency before they enter into a contract.

One of the most common claims for transport operators are third-party property claims, where the transport vehicle accidentally damages another third-party’s property or causes harm to them personally.

All logging transport operators need to consider insurance to cover loss, unless they are in a financial position to self-insure.

Log truck insurance is generally the same as transport insurance cover, which generally includes:

  • Cover for carrying units – protection for the units or vehicles used to transport goods.
  • Third-party liability – protection if there is an accident or damage caused by the transportation process that results in harm to others or their property.
  • Associated storage operation: protection for any associated storage operations, for example, if the goods need to be stored temporarily during the transportation process, the insurance can protect against damages or losses that may occur during storage.

Yes, in most cases there will be an excess. You can reduce your excess by paying a higher premium.

Additional cover we can arrange

Product and services

Carriers liability insurance

For goods not owned by you whilst in transit. Certain minimum conditions may apply.  

Product and services

Commercial vehicle

Keep up the momentum with commercial vehicle insurance – arranged by us and tailored to you.

Product and services

Couriers liability

When schedules are tight, and visibility is poor, courier liability cover can offer reassurance. Let us arrange a policy tailored to you.

Related insurance solutions

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Courier insurance

The journey to your drop-off point should be as painless as possible. Take a load off your mind with cover arranged by Marsh. 

 

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Truck insurance

If trucks are integral to your operations, truck insurance is a wise investment. Let Marsh arrange a cover tailored to you.

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Tradies insurance

Our experienced trades team can arrange tailored cover  – and get you a certificate of currency on the same day.

LCPA 24/512

Marsh Limited (NZBN 9429040918792)(“Marsh”) arranges the insurance and is not the insurer. This page contains general information and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. For full details of the terms, conditions and limitations of the covers, refer to the specific policy wordings and/or Product Disclosure Statements available from Marsh on request. This publication is not intended to be taken as advice regarding any individual situation and should not be relied upon as such. The information contained herein is based on sources we believe reliable, but we make no representation or warranty as to its accuracy. Marsh shall have no obligation to update this publication and shall have no liability to you or any other party arising out of this publication or any matter contained herein. Marsh makes no representation or warranty concerning the application of policy wordings or the financial condition or solvency of insurers or re-insurers. Marsh makes no assurances regarding the availability, cost, or terms of insurance coverage.