Commercial vehicle insurance

Cover for the utes, vans, trucks and other vehicles you use for work, from a single ute to a fleet.

Updated 4 October 2026

The short answer

What is commercial vehicle insurance?

Commercial vehicle insurance covers utes, vans, trucks and other vehicles used mainly for business. It works like car insurance, with comprehensive or third-party options, but it is priced for business use, multiple drivers, signwriting, fit-outs and higher kilometres. CTP is separate and does not cover damage to vehicles or property.

What does commercial vehicle insurance usually cover?

Every policy is different, so the wording always decides. These are the typical inclusions and exclusions.

Usually covered

Accidental damage to your vehicle, including collision, fire and theft on a comprehensive policy
Damage your vehicle causes to other people's vehicles and property
Fit-outs, racking, canopies and signwriting, when declared
Options such as hire vehicle after an accident, windscreen cover and roadside assistance

Usually not covered

Injuries to people in a road accident, which are handled by compulsory third party (CTP) schemes
Tools and stock inside the vehicle, which usually need tools or goods in transit cover
Drivers not covered by the policy's driver conditions, such as unlisted or inexperienced drivers
Mechanical breakdown and wear and tear

Who uses commercial vehicle insurance?

Any business that relies on a vehicle to get to work or carry gear: tradies with utes and vans, landscapers towing trailers, couriers, and transport operators with trucks and prime movers. Businesses with several vehicles often move to a fleet policy, which covers all vehicles under one policy.

What do clients and sites ask for?

Most clients don't ask for motor cover, but head contractors and freight customers sometimes do, particularly if your vehicles come onto their sites or carry their goods. Leasing and finance companies usually require comprehensive cover.

When it gets harder

When does commercial vehicle insurance get more complicated?

Heavy vehicles

Trucks, prime movers and trailers generally need specialist heavy motor cover. Insurers look closely at the vehicle's weight, what it carries, how far it travels and who drives it.

Several vehicles and drivers

Once you have a handful of vehicles and multiple drivers, a fleet policy can be simpler than separate policies, but driver age, experience and history affect what is accepted.

Vehicles used as tools

Crane trucks, tippers, concrete pumps and other registered plant can cause damage while working rather than driving. That can fall between motor and liability policies, so it is worth checking how each one treats it.

Cost

What affects the cost of commercial vehicle insurance?

Factors that affect the price of commercial vehicle insurance
Factor	Why it matters
Vehicle type and value	Heavier, more expensive and modified vehicles cost more to insure.
Drivers	Age, licence history and claims record of the people driving.
Use and distance	What the vehicle carries and how far it travels, including interstate.
Garaging location	Where the vehicle is kept overnight affects theft and accident risk.
Claims history	Previous at-fault claims push premiums up.

Common questions

Questions about commercial vehicle insurance

Can I use my personal car insurance for my work ute?

Usually not if the vehicle is used mainly for business. Personal policies often restrict business use, and a claim could be affected if the insurer wasn't told the vehicle is used for work.

Does CTP cover damage to my vehicle?

No. CTP covers injuries to people in a road accident. Damage to your vehicle or someone else's property needs comprehensive or third-party property cover.

When does a fleet policy make sense?

Many insurers offer fleet policies from a small number of vehicles, often around three to five. A fleet policy puts all vehicles under one policy and renewal date, which can make it easier to add and remove vehicles.

Are my tools covered inside my van?

Usually not under a motor policy. Tools inside a vehicle are normally covered by a tools and equipment policy, subject to its security conditions.

Commercial vehicles by trade

How commercial vehicle insurance applies to specific kinds of work.

Other types of insurance

This page is general information only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs, and it is not a recommendation to buy any insurance product. Always read the policy wording and, where applicable, the Product Disclosure Statement.

Request a quote

Looking for commercial vehicle cover?

Tell us your trade or industry. It only takes a moment to get started.