Fleet Insurance

What is fleet insurance?

Fleet insurance is like standard car insurance however it covers multiple vehicles leased or owned by a business and combines them all into one policy with one single renewal date. You can either insure all drivers to all vehicles or assign named drivers.

‘Fleet’ refers to a group of more than 3 vehicles, it can cover a variety of different vehicles from motorbikes to recovery trucks. Depending on the vehicle purpose you will need specific insurance for example a taxi company will need to get public hire taxi fleet insurance.

What covers are available?

Similar to standard car insurance, fleet insurance is available in 3 levels of cover.

Comprehensive – The highest level of insurance you can get, covers damage to both your and third-party vehicles as well as any injuries to you, your passengers and the third parties. You can claim even if your drivers are at fault.

Third-party fire and theft (TPFT) - covers any damage to third party vehicles while also covering your own for fire and theft however you can’t claim for any other damages to your vehicle.

Third-party only (TPO) – only covers damage to third parties, including any damage to property and vehicles plus any injuries to passengers however you can’t make any claims for yourself or your vehicle.

Depending on the policy you pick, your Fleet insurance should cover:

• Theft or damage to your vehicles
• Vehicle recovery in the event of a breakdown or accident
• Legal fees
• Damage to your vehicles’ windscreens and windows
• Replacement locks should your keys be broken or stolen
• Support with medical expenses should you or a passenger be hurt in an accident in a vehicle from your covered motor fleet.
• Protection for personal belongings that are lost or damaged in a vehicle under the policy.
• Trailers attached or connected to a vehicle insured under the policy

What vehicles can be insured?

• Cars
• Taxis
• Motorcycles
• HGVs and trucks
• Minibuses
• Vans

Should I choose ‘Any driver’ or ‘named driver policy’?

‘Named driver’ policy allows you to add individual drivers to each vehicle on your policy meaning that the premiums are kept down because they are known to the insurer already. Ideal for smaller fleets where you're not likely to need to add or remove very often.

‘Any driver’ policy allows anyone authorised to drive the vehicles without being specifically named, however they are only covered if they meet a certain set of criteria such as age and experience. This is beneficial if you employ a large number of drivers who may come and go often as it’s less hassle adding and removing them from the policy However, your premiums will likely be much higher than a ‘named driver’ policy.

How much does fleet insurance cost?

There is no way to determine individual costs as our policies are tailored to your businesses specific needs, there are many factors to consider which can affect your premiums. Luckily our brokers can go through your risks with you so you can avoid certain costs and reduce your premiums.

Your business practices can negatively impact your premiums, for instance not properly vetting your drivers and making numerous small claims reveals to the insurer that your higher risk and suggests you are more likely to be in accidents and make claims so you will be expected to pay a higher premium. 

The risk of each vehicle is also individually assessed and used to make an overall risk so factors such as the vehicle age and the annual mileage will result in a higher or lower premium. Having a fleet of old vehicles is going to cost a lot more than a fleet of new modern vehicles as well as having several young drivers compared to older ones. Having drivers with convictions or points on their licence will also likely impact your premium.

As a truly independent broker, we can offer Motor Fleet Insurance from a wide range of market-leading providers, ensuring you get the best price available. Our knowledgeable staff are on hand to help you carefully assess the different covers available, identify any key exposures and recommend what best meets your needs. Contact us today.