January 2012 

News

Happy New Year! 

We're pulling out all the stops this January to bring you the very best deals on Truck Insurance.

Whether you operate as a haulage contractor or carry your own goods, starting up or an established operator - Call us now

Owner Operators 1-4 vehicles click here for more on truck insurance

Fleet Operators 5+ vehicles click here for more on fleet truck insurance

Be a Smart driver with Smart Witness.......... 

Save money on your Truck Insurance premium and protect yourself against motor insurance fraud with a Smart Witness vehicle journey recorder camera - Quick and easy to install and operate - Read more about this popular device........ 

Truckfest 2011 

We have been involved with the transport industry over many years as a specialist truck insurance broker and we have been a regular sponsor of Truckfest. Truckfest host the events for those involved in road transport to look at what is new, exciting and important within the industry. There are a variety of events in the main arena including the ever popular monster trucks, extensive industry exhibits and hundreds of competitors competing in the cherished truck awards. Click here for more on Truckfest.

Fast Facts on Truck Insurance

I am just starting my own transport business with one vehicle, what Insurance covers would you recommend?      

We do not take the 'one box fits all' approach, after all everyone’s Truck Insurance needs are different.

Before making our Insurance recommendations we need to understand your business in order to ascertain your needs.

The Insurance cover you require depends on many different factors.

This includes your own circumstances, the type of work you do, type of vehicle that you operate, nature of goods you carry, if you employ other drivers, etc.

As a guide to Truck Insurance you will need cover for;

• Your Commercial Vehicle including trailer cover (where applicable)
• Goods in Transit  
• Public Liability 
• Employers liability(if you have regular or casual employees) 
• Legal Expenses cover

Other recommendations include:

• Accident & Sickness cover
• Vehicle Breakdown cover
• Loss of Use cover
• Continental Medical Expenses Insurance cover - (if you are involved in regular continental work)

How do I decide what level of goods in transit insurance I need?

You need to arrange insurance cover which meets the extent of your financial liability to your customer. In other words the amount you would become financially responsible to your customer for in the event of a loss.

This could be for the full value of the goods carried, this cover is known as `All Risks' or `Full Responsibility'.This insurance cover is often arranged by carriers of lower value goods such as quarry materials, building construction materials, tipper work.

Specialist carriers of high value goods such as Plant, Machinery, Cars, Boats, Portable Buildings etc. often also require this cover.

The alternative is to adopt conditions of carriage such as RHA (Road Haulage Association) or FTA (Freight Transport Association) Conditions of carriage which restrict your financial responsibility to your customer to an agreed amount per tonne.

This protects you from unknowingly being underinsured as the actual value of goods is not relevant from the carrier’s point of view. They are most often adopted by carriers of general goods within the UK.

For international movements of goods by road CMR cover applies, even if you are only involved in the UK leg of the journey.

What are the advantages of dealing with Ratcliffe's?

We understand the transport industry; we understand your needs.This is so important when arranging Truck Insurance cover - After all how can you be sure that you are getting the right insurance cover, if you’ve only been quoted a price?

We are confident that not only will our price for Truck Insurance be competitive but more importantly cover will be tailored to meet your Insurance needs.

We offer a comprehensive customer service throughout the policy year backed up by our own dedicated claims department.

Operators Licences, VOSA and Maintaining Your Truck 

Who are VOSA?

Before you can operate your truck or arrange truck insurance cover you'll need to apply for, and obtain an operators licence.

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) was formed on 1st April 2003 following the merger of the Vehicle Inspectorate and the Traffic Area Network division of the Department for Transport. VOSA provides a range of licensing, testing and enforcement services with the aim of improving the roadworthiness standards of vehicles ensuring the compliance of operators and drivers with road traffic legislation, and supporting the independent Traffic Commissioners. 

The requirment to hold an operators licence depends on your circumstances including what type of organisation you are, vehicle type and the intended use of your vehicle/s. A goods vehicle operators licence is needed to carry any goods or burden, in connection with any trade or business, where the gross vehicle weight (GVW) is more than 3.5 tonnes. This applies to both own goods and goods carried for hire and reward. There are various types of operators licences available; Standard national, Standard International and Restricted. Our advice would be to contact VOSA or your local traffic commissioner to discuss your requirements.  

If you are exempt from holding an operators licence then you can proceed and arrange truck insurance cover, however if you are required to hold an operators licence then truck insurance cover cannot be placed until you have been granted your operators licence.

There are a total of eight traffic areas in mainland UK; Scottish, North Eastern, North Western, Eastern, Welsh, West Midlands, South Eastern and Metropolitan. 

For more information on VOSA please click here

Decisions on Operators Licences  

The Traffic Commissioner is responsible for the licencing of operators and they receive administrative support from VOSA. The application process involves the applicant meeting the standards set out to operate a vehicle of this type. Consideration is also given to minimise both the environmental and road safety impact around the proposed operating centre area.

It is important to remember that where you are required to hold an operators licence you must ensure that this has been granted to you before you commence operating your vehicle, otherwise you will be operating illegally.

It is also an insurer requirement that you hold a valid operators licence (where you are required to do so) before your truck insurance cover can be placed.

Maintaining your Truck 

In addition to ensuring that you arrange truck insurance cover to meet your specific needs it is your responsibility as the vehicle operator to ensure that your vehicle is maintained in a safe, roadworthy condition. A declaration is made by the operator to the traffic commissioner to this effect and operators must comply with this. To meet this requirement vehicles must be inspected and this is carried out in two ways. Daily walkaround vehicle checks must be carried out together with regular safety inspections.

It is crucial that operators have a system for recording and reporting any vehicle defects, if the vehicles road worthiness is affected then repairers must be carried out prior to the vehicle being operated.

In addition to inspections the vehicle needs to be serviced at intervals as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. After all your vehicle is your business tool so it's vital that it is properly maintained to minimise possible costly breakdowns and repairs.