Company Fleet Insurance

If you run any size business with more than one vehicle, fulfilling your legal requirements to keep them all insured can be something of a nightmare.

It’s usually well outside the scope of a business insurance policy or even stand-alone policies which usually only applies to a single-vehicles.

Matters can get even more complicated if you employ multiple drivers, especially if they’re likely to drive different vehicles at different times.

Insuring all your fleet vehicles and all your drivers under one fleet insurance policy is likely to be the most convenient option and least expensive option, especially if you find a deal offering one renewal date, with just one premium to pay.

In many cases, a vehicle fleet policy can also be the cheapest option, although you should remember that this isn’t necessarily the case and you may be able to source cheaper cover on an individual basis.

You’ll typically find that the more convenience you opt for in a fleet policy, the more expensive it is. This may be the case if, for example, you choose to go for any vehicle and/or any driver options.

Depending on the nature, size and complexity of your business, it’s possible that paying for such flexibility will be worth the subsequent saving on administration time and the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have the appropriate cover in place to meet most eventualities.

Arranging fleet cover

Because the needs of many businesses are unique, some may struggle to secure the right cover online.

Some insurers ask you to fill in a simple online form to get an idea of your requirements and will then call you back to work out the right cover, while many offer a freephone number for you to call to discuss any issues.

If you’ve sorted out the right fleet cover in one year, don’t let the convenience factor tempt you into the auto-renewal trap. Shop around to assess your options every time you renew – you may be surprised at the savings your business will be able to make.

How many vehicles count as a fleet?

The definition of a fleet will vary from insurer to insurer, and most will set a minimum and maximum size.

The minimum can be as low as two vehicles, while the maximum can run into hundreds or even thousands of automobiles.

What types of vehicle can go on fleet insurance policies?

While there will be some insurers who specialise in areas such as van fleet or taxi fleet cover, most providers are flexible in the sort of vehicles that they’re able to include on a fleet policy.

This means that a fleet may be, for example, a mixture of cars, minibuses and a variety of types of truck.

But look out for exclusions, even if you have any vehicle policy. Some fleet insurance providers will exclude motorbikes, while more common exclusions can include tractors and specialist vehicles such as dumper trucks, fork-lift trucks and excavators.

Private use cover on motor fleet insurance

Many fleet vehicles are also used in a private capacity by company employees, their family and friends.

If automobiles in your fleet are used in this way, ensure they’re covered by your insurance policy – this is a typical exclusion on fleet policies.

Types of fleet insurance policies

Third-party only fleet insurance (TPO)

Third-party only is the minimum level insurance required by law for drivers in the UK. It covers:

• Liability for injury to others (including passengers)
• Damage to third party property
• Liability while towing a caravan or trailer

Third-party, fire and theft fleet insurance (TPFT)

Third-party, fire and theft cover everything that the third party does, but also:

• Fire damage
• Theft
• Damage to any of your vehicles caused during theft

Comprehensive fleet insurance

A comprehensive policy will provide you with the most extensive level of cover, including everything covered by a third party, fire and theft, and usually:

• Loss or damage to your vehicles
• Windscreen cover
• Personal effects
• Accidental damage
• Medical expenses

Telematics fleet insurance

Telematics is a rapidly growing area of the insurance market and it’s particularly popular with commercial fleets, where it can be used to monitor the performance of different drivers and to make business efficiencies.

The policies use a black box or mobile phone app to calculate premiums based on the standard and nature of driving and can feedback sophisticated data so that the business can analyse the performance of its fleet.

What else can fleet insurance cover?

All policies will vary and some will include a wide range of cover as standard, others will offer additional protection for extra payment, and others will only offer basic cover.

What you need will depend on your business, but some of the options to look out for include:

• Employers’ liability insurance (a legal requirement if you’re employing drivers)
• Public liability insurance
• Insurance for driving in Europe
• Breakdown cover
• Legal cover
• Haulage insurance
• Carriage of goods for hire or reward
• Carriage of own goods
• Courier insurance
• Goods in transit cover
• Trailer insurance
• Personal accident and sickness insurance

Cut the cost of your fleet insurance

There are things specific to fleet insurance that may help you cut the cost of cover, such as:

• Have policies in place for the risk assessment and risk management of drivers
• Employ experienced drivers with clean records (it’s typical for insurers to exclude drivers under the age of 25, or to charge an extra premium for them)
• Make drivers responsible for paying their own excesses to incentivise safe motoring
• Pay attention to vehicle security, including safe overnight parking
• Consider installing dashboard cameras – some fleet insurers offer discounts for this