Prime Mover Insurance
Specialist cover for prime movers, B-doubles, and road trains. We help Australian owner-operators and fleet managers find the right protection at competitive rates.
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Prime mover insurance is commercial motor cover arranged for the cab unit that hauls semi-trailers. Depending on the policy, it may cover accidental damage to the insured prime mover and third party property damage arising from insured vehicle use.
Trailers, carried goods, public liability, pollution, hire costs and business interruption are separate cover questions. Each vehicle and trailer must be correctly scheduled or otherwise addressed by an agreed extension, and the policy must reflect the freight, radius, drivers and contracts involved.
What is Prime Mover Insurance?
Prime mover insurance is commercial motor cover arranged for the cab unit that hauls semi-trailers across Australian roads.
Unlike standard truck insurance, it addresses the unique risks of long-haul transport, high vehicle values, and the heavy-duty nature of prime mover operations.
Commercial motor is the core cover. Goods in transit, public liability, hire costs and machinery breakdown are separate questions that may require additional sections, extensions or policies.
Why is Prime Mover Insurance necessary?
Prime movers can represent a significant capital investment. An accident, theft or fire can create vehicle damage and downtime costs that need to be measured against the operator's ability to absorb a loss.
Beyond the vehicle itself, owner-operators may face separate exposures involving cargo, third-party property and income loss during downtime. The insurance program needs to address each exposure deliberately; they are not automatically included in commercial motor cover.
A correctly structured policy can protect the insured vehicle and may reduce the financial impact of an insured loss.
What does Prime Mover Insurance typically cover?
Commercial Motor Insurance
Accident damage, fire, theft and storm for the prime mover itself, insured for market or agreed value.
Goods in Transit Insurance
Cover for the freight you carry, from general cargo through to temperature sensitive loads.
Public Liability Insurance
Third party injury and property damage arising from your transport operations.
Hire Vehicle Costs
A replacement prime mover to keep income flowing while yours is repaired or replaced.
Policies can be customised to include mechanical breakdown, personal effects, and hire costs depending on your operational needs.
Who needs Prime Mover Insurance?
Owner-operators and fleet managers should assess vehicle, trailer, cargo, liability and downtime exposures against their contracts and ability to absorb a loss.
Owner-Operators
Single-vehicle operators pulling semi-trailers for freight companies or direct clients. Your prime mover is your livelihood.
Fleet Managers
Businesses running multiple prime movers and considering a consolidated renewal, coordinated claims process and fleet-rated terms where available.
Subcontractors
Drivers contracted to logistics companies like Toll, Linfox, or StarTrack who require proof of insurance before signing contracts.
Interstate Operators
Long-haul drivers crossing state lines with varying road conditions, longer distances, and higher fatigue risks.
Personal or domestic motor policies generally do not cover disclosed commercial freight operations. The vehicle use, freight, radius and trailer arrangements must be accurately disclosed and accepted by the insurer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prime mover operators commonly consider comprehensive commercial motor cover for the cab unit, plus separate questions for trailers, goods in transit, public liability and hire costs. Contractual requirements and statutory obligations vary. If you employ drivers, check the workers compensation requirements in each relevant state or territory.
Premiums vary widely with the vehicle value, age and configuration, freight, radius, driver experience, claims history, excess and selected cover. Published averages can be misleading for heavy vehicles, so we seek terms using the operator's actual schedule and risk information.
Not automatically. A prime mover and each trailer are separate assets and must be shown as insured, or otherwise addressed by an agreed trailer-in-control or non-owned trailer provision. Never assume a freight company's policy covers a borrowed or interchanged trailer; confirm the contract, schedule and evidence of cover.
Cover may be available, although insurer appetite can narrow as a vehicle ages. Maintenance, condition, parts availability, valuation and claims history become more important. We can approach suitable markets, but terms and acceptance are not guaranteed.
Prime mover insurance is commercial motor cover arranged for the cab unit that hauls semi-trailers, while rigid-truck insurance addresses vehicles where the cab and carrying body form one unit. Prime movers can present different values and risk profiles because of long-haul work, B-double configurations and the separation from trailers. Premiums and policy structures depend on the actual operation and insurer terms.
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Ready to protect your prime mover?
Call us on 02 9000 1155 or request a quote online. We'll approach suitable insurers and underwriting agencies and explain the material differences in available terms.