Insuring a box-body lorry

Declare the body with the bodybuilder's invoice

A box body, a refrigeration unit, a curtainsider or a tilt body is fitted after the chassis is delivered. Its value appears on a separate invoice and must be provided when you take out the policy, including the tail lift and any crane. If you do not do that, in the event of a total loss or fire the insurer will cover only the bare chassis with cab, while the body often represents a large part of the replacement value.

The tail lift is a work appliance subject to inspection

A hydraulic tail lift falls under the inspection requirement for lifting equipment. Where an employee is injured during loading or unloading, an insurer will check whether the inspection record is up to date and whether instruction has been given. Without those documents your position is weak under Article 7:658 of the Dutch Civil Code, where the burden of proof lies with the employer. Note too that damage caused by poor maintenance or wear of the lift itself is excluded from the own-damage cover.

Driving height and bridges are a category of damage in their own right

Rigid lorries travel at a fixed height that the driver cannot see. Collisions with a viaduct, a car park beam or a canopy at a loading dock are the most common own-damage claim on this type of vehicle. That damage is covered under comprehensive cover, but the consequential damage to the customer's building runs through your liability cover and not through the third-party liability cover on the vehicle. Display the vehicle's height clearly in the cab.

What is not included

Three exclusions recur as standard. The cargo in the body, whether it belongs to you or to a customer. Damage caused by overloading or incorrect weight distribution across the axles, including where the lorry itself is damaged as a result. And damage to third-party property that you had in your care during loading and unloading, the so-called care, custody and control situation, which in most liability insurance must be arranged separately.

From 750 kilos a registration number is required

A heavier trailer has its own registration number. Also check that the driving licence is adequate for the combination.

Uncoupled is the moment of risk

As long as the item is coupled, liability runs through the towing vehicle. Once uncoupled that no longer applies, and damage to the item itself was never covered in any case. Insurers therefore require an approved coupling lock and a declared storage location. For higher values, a tracker as well.

Business trailer