Does My Truck Insurance Cover Any Driver?

When arranging truck insurance, one of the questions operators frequently ask is whether their policy can cover any driver.

The answer is potentially yes, but “any driver” does not necessarily mean that absolutely anyone can drive your vehicle.

Truck insurance policies can include restrictions relating to drivers' ages, driving experience, licence history and other factors. Understanding exactly who is permitted to drive is therefore important, particularly for haulage businesses employing several drivers.

What does any driver truck insurance mean?

An any driver policy allows more than one driver to drive the insured vehicle without every driver necessarily having to be individually named on the policy.

This can provide valuable flexibility for haulage businesses where drivers regularly change vehicles or where replacement drivers may occasionally be required.

However, insurers will normally apply conditions determining which drivers are acceptable.

Does any driver really mean anyone?

No.

The precise restrictions vary between insurers and policies, but an any driver policy may include requirements concerning:

• Minimum driver age
• How long the driver has held the appropriate HGV licence
• Previous accidents or claims
• Driving convictions or penalty points
• The type of vehicle being driven
• The nature of the work being undertaken

For example, a policy described as “any driver aged 25 or over” would not automatically provide cover for a 22-year-old driver.

It is therefore important to check the actual driver restrictions shown in your policy rather than assuming that the words “any driver” provide unrestricted cover.

Can younger HGV drivers be insured?

Potentially, yes.

Some insurers will consider younger drivers, although additional conditions, higher excesses or increased premiums may apply.

A driver's HGV experience can also be important. Someone who has recently obtained their HGV licence may be viewed differently by an insurer from a driver of the same age with several years' experience.

If you are considering employing a younger or less experienced driver, it is sensible to check whether they are acceptable to your insurer before allowing them to drive.

What about drivers with convictions or previous claims?

An any driver policy does not necessarily mean that drivers with convictions, penalty points or previous claims are automatically covered.

Certain driving convictions or claims histories may need to be disclosed to the insurer and approved before the driver uses the vehicle.

Failing to disclose relevant information could affect the insurance cover available following an accident.

If you are uncertain whether a driver's history needs to be disclosed, speak to your insurance broker before they drive.

Is any driver cover useful for haulage fleets?

It can be particularly useful for businesses operating several vehicles.

Where drivers regularly move between trucks, having appropriate any driver cover can make the insurance arrangements considerably easier to manage than having individual drivers restricted to particular vehicles.

However, the flexibility needs to be balanced against cost. Depending upon the business and its drivers, a policy with more specific driver restrictions may sometimes be more economical.

An experienced haulage insurance broker can discuss the different options available and help determine which arrangement is most appropriate for your operation.

What if I only have one truck?

Owner-drivers and businesses operating a single HGV do not necessarily need unrestricted any driver cover.

If the vehicle is predominantly driven by one person, an insurer may offer cover based around that individual driver, with additional drivers included where required.

The appropriate arrangement will depend upon your circumstances and how the vehicle is used.

Should I check with my broker before employing a new driver?

Yes.

Even where your certificate or policy provides any driver cover, it is sensible to check that a prospective driver satisfies all of the insurer's requirements.

This is particularly important where the driver is young, newly qualified, has convictions or has been involved in previous accidents.

A quick check before the driver starts work can prevent much more serious problems later.

Specialist Truck & Haulage Insurance from Avis Insurance

Avis Insurance Services has been arranging insurance for truck and haulage operators for more than 40 years.

We arrange cover for individual trucks, owner-drivers and haulage fleets of all sizes and can help you understand the driver restrictions applying to your insurance.

Whether you need cover for specified drivers or the flexibility of an any driver policy, our experienced team can discuss your requirements and approach suitable insurers on your behalf.

Need advice about insuring your HGV drivers?

Contact Avis Insurance Services and speak directly with a member of our specialist truck and haulage insurance team.