Goods-in-transit insurance: what hauliers often get wrong

For hauliers, goods-in-transit cover is not just a line on a schedule. It is where theft, damage, customer contracts, driver evidence and claims handling can all meet at the worst possible moment.

The latest Home Office freight crime update is a useful reminder of that. On 1 July 2026, a Parliamentary written answer said the freight crime flag pilot across Cambridgeshire and Warwickshire Police had completed its manual data returns. The point for operators is simple: freight crime is still being tracked, tested and understood nationally, while hauliers still need to protect themselves job by job.

The RHA reported that goods stolen from lorries reached £111.5 million in 2024. That figure does not automatically tell an operator whether a claim will be paid. It does show why the detail behind goods-in-transit cover matters.

Where hauliers often get caught out is assuming that “the goods are insured” means every load, every stop, every route and every contract is treated the same way. In practice, cover depends on the policy wording, the goods being carried, the vehicle security, the value at risk and the circumstances of the loss.

A motor policy usually protects the vehicle. Goods-in-transit cover is the conversation about the load. That distinction can become very real after a theft, damaged pallet, rejected delivery or contract dispute.

 

Insurance implications

The first mistake is assuming motor insurance covers the cargo. Commercial vehicle insurance and goods-in-transit insurance do different jobs. A haulier may have one without the other, or may have limits that no longer match the work being done.

The second mistake is not checking the policy limit against the real load value. Some operators look only at average loads. The problem often appears when a one-off consignment is worth more than usual, or when several customers’ goods are on the vehicle at once.

The third mistake is overlooking policy conditions. Theft cover may depend on where the vehicle was parked, whether it was locked, whether the alarm was used, whether the goods were left overnight, or whether a driver followed agreed security steps. Those details can matter after a claim.

The fourth mistake is treating all goods as equal. High-value, theft-attractive, fragile, refrigerated, hazardous or unusual goods may need a closer look. Some goods may be excluded, restricted or subject to different terms.

The fifth mistake is forgetting the contract. A customer may expect the haulier to carry more responsibility than the insurance policy was arranged to meet. Contract terms, liability limits and delivery obligations should be checked before the job starts, not after something has gone wrong.

The sixth mistake is weak evidence. After a theft or damage claim, insurers may ask for load documents, proof of value, delivery notes, photographs, route records, police references, driver statements and security evidence. If the paperwork is thin, the claim conversation becomes harder.

The seventh mistake is subcontracting without checking the insurance position. If another carrier, agency driver or third party is involved, the operator needs to understand who is responsible for the goods and what cover applies.

 

In practice, hauliers should review:

• whether goods-in-transit cover is actually in place
• the maximum value carried on any one vehicle
• whether customer contracts match the policy limits
• any restrictions on unattended vehicles or overnight parking
• how high-value or unusual loads are declared
• what drivers must do after theft, damage or shortage
• whether subcontracted work is covered
• whether claims evidence can be produced quickly

 

None of this guarantees that a claim will be accepted. It does make the cover easier to understand before the policy is tested.

 

Speak To Ratcliffes

If your haulage work has changed, or your customers are asking you to carry higher-value goods, it is worth checking whether your goods-in-transit arrangements still fit. Call Ratcliffes on 01242 544544 to talk through your transport insurance, policy limits and practical claims evidence before the next awkward load becomes a problem.

 

Sources

• UK Parliament, Daily Report, 1 July 2026, Written Question 12279 on the freight crime flag pilot
• Trans.INFO, “HGV cargo theft finally gets a police marker”, 25 June 2026
• Road Haulage Association, “Freight crime spirals out of control as value of goods stolen rises to over £100 million”, 12 March 2025