Truck Insurance
We can’t prevent accidents – but we can help make sure your trucks are properly insured, and at a fair price! Insure your trucks against risks like road accidents, cargo damage, public liability claims, and more:
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?
Here at Ideal Insurance Brokers, we can’t prevent accidents – but we can help make sure you’re properly insured at a fair price.
Find out what truck insurance should really cost for your fleet.