Truck Insurance
Keeping your wheels turning is your job – protecting them is ours. From accidents to cargo cover, the right truck insurance keeps your business moving. At Ideal Insurance Brokers, we tailor coverage to match your routes, freight, and risks – so you can drive with confidence:
Could This Happen to Your Truck?
M1 Motorway Chaos After Scrap Metal Spill
Dozens of cars left stranded. Thousands in damage. One truck responsible. If this had been your truck – would your insurance have covered the fallout?
The Incident:
On 2 May, the M1 motorway into Sydney descended into chaos when a truck carrying 40 tonnes of scrap metal shed part of its load. The trailer’s rear door failed during transit, scattering razor-sharp metal fragments across the highway between Palmdale and Mooney Mooney Bridge.
The aftermath was devastating:
- More than 300 vehicles suffered punctured and destroyed tyres
- Authorities closed a 30-kilometre section of vital motorway
- A complex recovery operation deployed emergency services with specialised equipment including industrial magnets and sweepers
NJ Ashton Transport, the company involved, acknowledged full responsibility – crucially, their comprehensive insurance coverage meant they weren’t facing financial ruin.
What Type of Insurance Covers This?
The key cover in this scenario is Public Liability Insurance – a must-have for truck owners and operators.
In this case, public liability insurance would:
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Pay for third-party property damage (e.g. replacing hundreds of shredded tyres)
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Cover costs associated with clean-up and traffic management
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Provide legal protection if injured parties sought compensation
Without this cover, the trucking company would be liable for:
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Tyre replacement and repairs: Approx. $300–$600 per vehicle × 300+ vehicles = $90,000-$180,000
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Emergency clean-up and debris removal: $20,000-$50,000+
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Potential fines, legal fees, and reputational damage
Estimated total bill without insurance: $150,000-$250,000+
Don’t Let This Be Your Business
This incident wasn’t extraordinary – it represents a risk every transport operator faces daily. A single mechanical failure or operational oversight could cost your business six figures in one morning.
Ask yourself:
- Does your current policy explicitly cover cargo spillage incidents?
- Is your liability coverage limit sufficient for a multi-vehicle incident?
- Have you reviewed your policy exclusions regarding load security?