Truck insurance

Insurance for Truck Drivers

If you drive someone else's truck, the honest question is not what insurance you should buy but what is already being carried on your behalf, and where that stops. Employed drivers and subcontractors sit in very different places, and many drivers do not know which they are.

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Cover

What employed and subcontract drivers need covered

Employed: Workers Compensation Applies

As an employee you are covered by your employer's workers compensation for work injuries, which is the main protection you have. It replaces a portion of wages and covers medical costs, but it does not cover you away from work or top up to your full income.

Subcontract: Almost None of That Applies

An ABN subcontractor is usually outside the principal's workers compensation, and is expected to carry their own liability and income cover. Many drivers who believe they are employees are contracted as subcontractors, and only find out after an injury.

The Truck Is Not Your Exposure, But the Excess Might Be

Damage to an employer's truck is the employer's insurance. Some contracts, however, pass the excess to the driver, and subcontract agreements sometimes go further. Read what you signed rather than assuming the vehicle is entirely someone else's problem.

Your Licence Is Your Livelihood

A suspension ends your income immediately, and no motor policy addresses that. Income protection with the right definition of disability is the closest available answer, and it is worth understanding what it does and does not respond to.

What Principals Will Ask You For

Subcontract drivers are routinely required to produce public liability, sometimes carriers cover and occasionally personal accident before they can start. Having the certificates ready often decides whether you get the work at all.

Cover, limits and examples shown are general in nature and subject to eligibility, underwriting and the terms of the issued policy.

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Reviews are for Stonewell Insurance, the business behind Truckie Cover. Authorised Representative of McLardy McShane Partners Pty Ltd (AFSL 232987).

FAQ

Employed and subcontract drivers insurance questions.

Speak with our team on 1300 080 323.

What insurance do I need if I drive someone else's truck?
It depends whether you are employed or subcontracting. As an employee you are largely covered by workers compensation. As a subcontractor you generally are not, and you are usually expected to hold public liability and your own income cover.
Am I covered by my employer's insurance?
For damage to their truck and for work injuries as an employee, largely yes. It does not cover you outside work, does not top your income up to full pay, and does not apply at all if you are engaged as a subcontractor rather than employed.
How do I know if I am an employee or a subcontractor?
If you invoice through an ABN, provide your own vehicle or are told you are a contractor, you are probably a subcontractor regardless of how the work feels. That distinction decides your entire insurance position, so it is worth confirming in writing.
Do I have to pay the excess if I damage the truck?
Sometimes. It depends on your employment contract or subcontract agreement, and some pass the excess to the driver. Check the agreement, because it is a term people sign without reading and only notice after an incident.

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Tell us what you drive in about 60 seconds and we come back to you with options.

Truckie Cover is a trading name of Stonewell Insurance Pty Ltd (ABN 23 645 965 699), Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1285612 of McLardy McShane Partners Pty Ltd (ABN 14 064 465 309, AFSL 232987).