May 2013 

 News

We're pulling out all the stops this month to bring 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 South West & Wales - Three counties showground, Malvern - 6th & 7th July  

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. This year we are the proud sponsors of the prestigious Best Company Owned Vehicle award. 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 Ratcliffes?

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, Decisions on 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 read more.........