Motor trade cover explained

Vehicle Transit Insurance

Vehicle transit insurance covers vehicles while carried rather than driven, including loading and unloading if stated. The cover may be arranged for an owner’s vehicles or for a transporter’s legal liability. Those are different bases of cover and the contract, limits and valuation method matter.

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What is normally covered

Collision or overturning of the carrying vehicle
Fire, theft or hijacking in transit
Loading and unloading damage where included
Vehicles secured to approved carriers or trailers
Transporter’s liability for customer vehicles where arranged

What is normally excluded

Damage caused by inadequate securing or unsuitable equipment where conditions are breached
Wear, mechanical breakdown or pre-existing damage
Delay, loss of market or depreciation
Driving the vehicle under its own power except incidental loading
Cross-border transit outside the territorial limits
Loads above the carrier or policy limit

Realistic claim example

Two vehicles are damaged when a carrier overturns

A transporter carrying two SUVs from Durban to Johannesburg overturns near Harrismith during heavy rain.

How cover may respond: Transit cover may pay physical damage to the SUVs based on the selected owner’s-risk or liability wording and per-load limit.

Important: The insurer will check load securing, driver licence, roadworthiness and whether loading limits were met.

Who needs this cover

Vehicle transporters and recovery operators
Dealers moving stock between branches
Auction houses and fleet remarketers
Collectors moving non-roadworthy or high-value vehicles

Information insurers require

Annual transit turnover and trip routes
Maximum number and value per load
Carrier types, payloads and securing equipment
Driver licences, experience and training
Subcontractor use and contractual liability

What affects the premium

Maximum value any one conveyance
Distance, routes and overnight stops
Carrier and driver quality
Loading and unloading methods
Cross-border and subcontracted transport

Relevant trade pages

Cover should match the way you trade

Towing & Recovery Insurance Motor Dealership Insurance

Get cover based on your actual risk

Tell us what vehicles you handle, where they are kept and how they are used. A specialist can compare suitable terms and explain the important conditions before you bind cover.

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This is a general explanation, not advice or a policy contract. Cover is subject to the insurer’s schedule, wording, limits, excesses and conditions.