HGV Insurance
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Heavy goods vehicle (HGV) insurance is specifically aimed at covering businesses that use trucks, lorries, and other commercial vehicles used to transport large goods from A to B.  

This type of commercial insurance is essential to protect the owner or operator of the vehicle from financial liability in the event of an accident or an incident that may result in damage to the vehicle or injury. 

All drivers operating a heavy goods vehicle for business purposes must have HGV insurance – including self-employed HGV drivers, smaller businesses, and companies working with a fleet.

It’s a legal requirement, meaning that an operator may face legal consequences and significant financial losses in the event of an accident if they do not have the correct insurance cover. 

Usually HGV insurance policies allow for the carriage of most goods except for hazardous items. Many insurers will not cover vehicles that carry hazardous goods such as fuel, chemical waste, and dangerous liquids.  

However, there will be a few insurers who are prepared to consider risks that involve the carriage of low-hazardous goods. There are even specialist insurers who can provide cover specifically for drivers carrying potentially hazardous materials.  

If you need help with who to turn to about HGV insurance that offers low-risk and hazardous goods coverage, call us on 0800 0815 027. We’ll find a suitable policy, and our friendly team will advise you on the appropriate cover for your business needs.  

HGV stands for ‘heavy goods vehicle’, while the acronym LGV means ‘loaded goods vehicle’. Often you will hear the terms LGV and HGV used interchangeably these vehicles are very similar to each other. 

However, there are a few subtle differences between the two. While a HGV has a gross vehicle weight of more than 3.5 tons, a LGV is lighter, weighing more than 2.5 tons but less than 3.5 tons. 

You will need an operator’s licence, sometimes known as an O licence, to carry goods connected with any trade or business if your vehicle’s gross weight is more than 3.5 tonnes. Certain exemptions exist, so it’s best to check with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). 

There are three types of O licence: 

• Restricted licences are for businesses in the UK that only carry their own goods, raw materials, and occasionally those from a subsidiary enterprise. 
• Standard national licences are for enterprises who transport goods for hire and reward – even if this isn’t conducted regularly. As long as your vehicle remains in the UK, you can transport loaded trailers as part of an international journey to and from ports.   
• Standard international licences are exactly the same as a typical standard licence, except this enables the transportation of goods in both the UK and international journeys in Europe. 
• UK licences for the community can be requested after you’ve obtained a standard international licence. It will enable you to travel between EU countries, transit traffic through them, and allow cabotage within an EU member country. 

Discover how much you can save on HGV insurance, and call us at  0800 0815 027 to get your quote today. Our team of insurance experts will guide you through every step to finding the correct cover for your heavy goods vehicle.