Lorry and Truck insurance

Government needs to support ultra-low emission HGV market

The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee released a report on the sustainability in transport which has received a positive reaction from the Freight Transport Association.

The report states that fiscal support will be needed as well as a regulatory reform in order to develop the market in ultra-low emission vehicles. The reform for cars would suggest to review company car taxation and for vans, a reform to the weight limitations on alt powered vehicles.

Christopher Snelling, FTA’s Head of National and Regional Policy commented “The Committee is right that more support will be needed for the purchasers of ultra-low emission vehicles if they are to take off in the market place as soon as possible.  The suggestion of considering reforming weight limitations on alternatively powered vans is welcome and should be explored further – subject to demonstrating it would not have a negative effect on safety”.

Mr Snelling proceeded to say: “The missing piece in the report is heavy duty vehicles.  From an engineering and technological point of view it is harder to decarbonise larger road vehicles – electric is not an option.  Trials of alternative power sources for lorries were made under the Government’s Low Carbon Truck Trial and a further low emission freight and logistics trial has recently been announced, but more fiscal support will be needed if these new vehicles are to get taken up by purchasers any time soon.  Currently alternatively powered vehicles only make up 0.2 per cent of the UK’s HGV fleet.”

RHA – Brexit Clarification

RHA – Brexit clarification

Richard Burnett the chief executive of RHA has advised all members of the association that it is calling upon the government to clarify the situation for road hauliers following news that the UK is set to leave the EU.

Burnett continues on to say “Whichever way you cast your vote last week, the public has spoken and the UK has decided to leave the EU. We are now entering a period of uncertainty.”

“However, I want to make it clear that your Association will be keeping close to government to ensure the best deal for UK road hauliers. Rest assured, we are already in the process of arranging meetings with relevant departmental ministers so that we can stress the industry’s needs and expectations.”

Industry sectors across the board are still waiting to see the ramifications of the Pound in the current market.

Richard Burnett has urged members with specific concerns to bring them forward as soon as possible so they can be included in to negotiations.

Concluding he said: “We need clear, demonstrative leadership – and quickly – from government as well as skilful negotiation to stabilise the economy and address the concerns of the public in general and our members in particular.  The impact for us as a key industry provider could be considerable. It is our responsibility as the only organisation solely dedicated to the UK haulage sector to ensure that the issues are urgently addressed and the transition between now and leaving the EU to be a smooth as possible.”

Lorry and Truck insurance

Funding for HGV licenses has been refused

DFT minister Lord Ahmed has announced that the government will not be funding the HGV license acquisition in order to ease the HGV driver shortage in the UK.

The cost of the HGV license ranges from between £1,500 – £3,000 and the industry is currently facing a shortfall of about 40,000 drivers.

Due to this the haulage industry had been campaigning for the government to provide funding for the training so that people were more inclined to join the trade.

Lord Ahmed informed the Transport committee: “The principle remains that we won’t look at funding HGV licences. That has been a principle established since 2005 and that is a position we will not be changing.”

This news comes as a blow to the industry which after a recent survey of HGV qualified drivers showed that over a third claimed that they felt poorly treated by their employer.

Lord Ahmed has made further comments regarding the industry stating: “There needs to be a lot more work on drivers’ conditions. This has to be industry-led. The government’s role is to facilitate and look at recruitment, but the retention element is something the industry needs to lead on,”

Lorry and Truck insurance

Budget 2016 – HGV taxes and diesel freeze

The Chancellor George Osborne has recently revealed his Budget for 2016 and we have some points of interest.

Fuel Duty

For a sixth year in a row fuel duty will be frozen with the Chancellor stating “I know that fuel costs still make up a significant part of household budgets and weigh heavily on small firms”.

This freeze should save drivers £75 a year and a small business van £270 a year which he claims will be a ‘tax boost that keeps Britain moving’

HGVs

The budget includes a freeze on rates of VED (vehicle excise duty) and the Road User Levy for larger trucks and good vehicles.

The government has pointed out that it is aware of the link between low fuel prices and economic growth thus the freeze means the average small business with a van will save £12 on each tank in comparison to pre 2010.

Low Emission Funding

The government Office for Low Emission Vehicles will also be provided a £38 million in grants, this will be matched by the private sector, which will go towards research and development into new low emission technology across the UK.

 

Lorry and Truck insurance

Money Saving Advice for Lorry Drivers

Finding insurance for a lorry/truck can prove difficult as it is not a product that is generally well advertised compare to the likes of car insurance but nevertheless it does exist and this short article will offer a range of tips and advice to help you save a penny or two.

When people think about insurance the main focus is on what a company covers and at what cost however there is a whole range of factors that go towards these costs.

‘It starts at home’

The main points of focus here would be the vehicle, the owner and the drivers.

Vehicle – This should be of a high priority of the owner/company of any vehicle as it is what keeps you on the move as well as aiding your trade/business. We recommend you put in place a system of practises and maintenance checks to keep your vehicle in good condition and also to make sure it complies with current laws. You may also benefit from adding security devices to the vehicles to aid in the event of theft

Owner – The owner will normally insure the vehicle under their name or the company but the onus of responsibility will lay with them. It is best to make sure you not only check but also keep up to date with laws and regulations.

Drivers – Employing drivers is a risk to anyone as they are entrusted to use and assist in maintaining your vehicle/s however it is a risk that you have some control over and could save yourself money in the future. Always make sure your drivers have the relevant licenses and make note that the cleaner the license the better. It is also important to make sure they have training not only at the start of employment but refreshers throughout as this will ensure that they do not forget the training and also gives you an opportunity to remind or implement how you want your business to run.

Insurance

When you shop around for insurance you may wish to remember the following;

  • If you have a number of vehicles you may benefit from having a Fleet policy so that all your vehicles are insured under one policy with one company.
  • Consider what level of cover you actually need – If you have much older vehicles with low values you may be able to save more money by putting minimal cover such as Third Party Fire and Theft.
  • Take on some of the risk yourself via a voluntary excess – your policy will require for you to pay an excess in the event of you claiming against your insurance policy however by adding an extra voluntary excess your premium will be much lower.
  • Named drivers – Insurers are able to assess the risk of having you insured more precisely if they have a list of drivers that will be using the vehicles thus meaning a lower premium.
  • Cameras – Source a forward facing camera within the vehicle as this will assist in defending non-fault claims and also in the event of any cash-for-crash/fraudulent claims. (This is not necessarily a requirement however more and more people are seeing the benefit of having such a device in the vehicle)

Want more advice or looking for the best quote?

Why not entrust the assistance of Quotax Insurance.

Quotax specialise in a wide variety of Commercial Vehicle Insurance and have a large panel of insurers that suit most vehicles. They also have a dedicated team of experts that are more than happy to provide you with advice and tailor a policy to suit the needs of yourself and/or your business.

For more information please visit the web page https://www.quotax.net or give the team a call on 0208 469 9679

Safer Lorry Scheme introduced by TFL to reduce cyclist deaths

In July 2015 Rosamund Urwin posted an article questioning why HGV lorries are so dangerous and how the streets could be made safer for London cyclists.

She had advised that back in July the London Cycling Campaign put pressure on the Mayor to help save lives and put an end to ‘lorry danger’. David Cameron had advised MP’s that the government will review the possibility of banning lorries in the City centre. 

Her main focus in the report was that a large volume of cyclist fatalities occurred at the hands of a construction vehicle and blame seems to have been placed within the industry. A number of possible arguments and reasons have been given as to the failings of the HGV drivers.  One of the main concerns was based around the fact drivers are paid per load instead of per hour so they are pushed to finish the job as quickly as possible which diminishes their attention to road safety.

It has been put forward by many companies and campaigns that vehicles should be more cyclist/pedestrian friendly with blind spots being reduced, cameras and sensors with standard vehicles having a retro-fit which will cost around £1200 or new vehicles having these specifications as standard. It was also mentioned that four steps should be taken in order to prevent the death of more cyclists; better training for those who use the lorries, improved equipment, better industry practice along with a willingness to confront the problem.

 

The Transport for London (TFL) published statistics accounting over half of all cyclists fatalities from 2008 till 2015 involved HGV’s. They also went on to advise that HGV’s account for only 4% of London’s traffic.

 

So what has changed since July 2015?

TFL have put in place the Safer Lorry Scheme as of the 1st September 2015 with its main goal being to reduce the number of fatalities or serious injuries on the road by 40% in 2020.

Responsibility of enforcement of the regulations has been passed to the Metropolitan Police Service, City of London Police and the Vehicle Standards Agency. According to TFL failure to comply with the new regulations can lead to the following;

  • The driver of a vehicle that is deemed non-compliant may be issued with a £50 fixed penalty notice
  • They can potentially receive a £1000 fine if the matter progresses at Magistrates court
  • Notice of this will be passed to the Traffic Commissioner

The two main components of the scheme are being put in place for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes (many of which are exempt under the new scheme) wo be fitted with Class V and Class VI mirrors and also side guards. The two improvements to the vehicles should give the driver better vision of cyclists and pedestrians and also will protect them from being dragged under the wheels of the HGV.

It has been stated that the scheme will be in full force 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. The scheme will be covering the exact same areas as the Low Emission Zone.

 

For more information about the scheme and to see if your vehicle may fall under the new legislation please refer to the TFL link – https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/freight/safer-lorry-scheme#on-this-page-1

 

Lorry and Truck insurance

HGV Insurance FAQs

Who needs HGV Insurance?

The law requires that any HGV is covered by a minimum level of third party insurance.

This is to ensure that any third party/member of the public who has sustained injury or losses as a result of an accident (that you are deemed responsible for) may recover or apply for compensation.

The vehicle is kept off the road so is insurance still needed?

The Law has been changed and legislation now states that you still need a minimum cover of Third Party Only even if your vehicle is used/kept on private land, a yard or a garage.

What if my HGV is being driven in Europe?

Insurance arranged in the UK should normally provide the required third party cover for the vehicle while in use in the EU however additional cover such as fire and theft or accidental damage.

If you hold comprehensive insurance already it is important to check if your insurer will continue this cover while the vehicle is in the EU. You may wish to also check what countries you are allowed to travel in with the cover you hold.

You may be asked to produce a ‘Green Card’ as proof of your vehicle having the minimum cover so enquire with you insurer or broker for more information.

Where can I get HGV insurance?

Finding insurance that suits you and your vehicle can prove difficult and tiring however Quotax may have an answer for you.

With a strong panel of the UK’s Leading Insurers and being able to cover vehicles up to 44 tons Quotax will be able to match and tailor your needs and find you a competitive quote.

You can contact the team on 0208 469 9679 or click this link for a quote https://www.quotax.net/get-a-quote-truck-and-lorry/

What does HGV insurance cover?

As mentioned Quotax are able to provide you with a tailored and personal insurance policy and will confirm exactly what your policy includes and what extras are available.

As well as the general Third Party, Third Party Fire & Theft and Comprehensive policies Quotax can also source extra cover such as the following;

Specialist goods in transit Insurance

Employers and Public Liability polices

Breakdown cover

Tips for HGV Operators in Snow and adverse Weather

 

With Winter now having arrive it is essential that when Operating a Lorry Fleet you are prepared.

Keep an eye on the conditions

  • Regularly check the weather reports and keep up to date with any changes in road conditions
  • If your fleet of HGVs is operating across the UK or Europe the conditions can vary considerably from one region to the next make sure you get weather reports for all regions and update your drivers
  • Where weather conditions are severe update clients with delivery expectations well in avance.

 

Ensure your drivers are prepared

  • Discuss driving in difficult conditions with your fleet and ensure they are competent and know what to do in extreme weather.
  • Drivers can be sent on extra training courses to give them experience in driving in bad road conditions
  • For prolonged periods of snow consider fitting winter tyres to your fleet.

 

Driver Hours

  • Where deliveries are taking longer much longer than usual keep a close eye on driver hours it is sometimes possible to extend driver hours speak to the relevant authorities.

 

Tips for driving a HGV or Truck in Snow and Ice

 

Driving Trucks in snow inevitably takes more time, please allow extra time for your journey.

Driver slowly taking your time and keep extra distance between other road users.

Other drivers may get into difficultly or drive erratically beware of other road users actions

Avoid any sudden acceleration, braking or turning

When it is snowing visibility can be significantly reduced, dip your headlights and reduce your speed

If you have independent retarders on your truck take care when going downhill as wheels can lock.

Snow can cover road signs, take extra care at junctions

When you have an articulated lorry with a load attached or a trailer brake over a much longer distance

If your steering feels light you are probably driving on black ice take extra care and reduce speed slowly

When you are setting off ensure you have cleared the snow and the ice from the whole of the windscreen.