Zakelijk • Verkeer • Work equipment • Heftruck
Insuring a forklift – liability and damage to work equipment
A Forklift (forklift, reach truck, stapelaar) is onmisbaar in magazijn en logistiek, maar schade ontstaat snel: aanrijding met stellingen, pallets, deuren, voertuigen of letsel bij derden. Met A forklift insurance through the work equipment insurance insures you (1) Liability voor schade aan anderand and (2) – afhankelijk van gekozand dekking – damage to your own forklift due to, for example, fire, theft, vandalism or collision.
Op deze pagina leest u hoe de dekkingen werken (WA, brand/diefstal, (beperkt) casco en casco/allrisk), waar u op let bij inzet op terrein en (Situation dependent) de openbare weg, en hoe u preventie en acceptatie slim regelt.
Coverage, maximums and exclusions always follow the policy conditions.
Forklift insurance in brief
You insure your forklift if: Work equipment. In many situations you choose minimal WA voor schade aan derden. Voor schade aan de heftruck zelf kiest u aanvullende dekking (fire/theft en/of casco/allrisk).
Common choices
- WA for damage to third parties (goods, buildings, injuries).
- Fire & theft as a basis for security/overnight storage.
- hull/all-risk for higher value, intensive use or deployment at multiple locations.
Electric/diesel/LPG and indoor versus outdoor locations can influence the premium and conditions.
What is forklift insurance (work equipment insurance)?
Goal
Een forklift insurance dekt financiële gevolgen van schadeclaims en/of schade aan uw heftruck. Afhankelijk van uw keuzes kan dit gaan om liability (WA), fire/theft and hull/all-risk.
Third party liability versus business liability
Schade met rijdend/zelfrijdend materieel kan anders beoordeeld worden dan algemene bedrijfsLiability. Daarom is een specifieke werkmaterieeldekking vaak passend.
The exact coverage required depends on your situation and use.
For whom is forklift insurance relevant?
Warehouse & logistics
- racks and goods flows
- high risk of collision damage
- multiple drivers/teams
Production & industry
- internal transport movements
- damage to machines/doors/pipes
- safety and training are important
Construction & outdoor area
- rougher conditions
- more weather influences
- higher susceptibility to theft/vandalism
When should you pay extra close attention?
- bee lending/rental or use by third parties (always report);
- when betting on customer locations with strict safety rules;
- at (situation-dependent) public road or traffic around the site;
- for electric forklifts: battery, charger and fire risk in loading space.
Coverage: third party liability, fire/theft and hull/all risk
WA (liability)
- damage to third parties (goods, buildings, vehicles)
- injury to third parties (policy dependent)
- relevant in case of damage in warehouse/industrial hall
Fire & theft
- fire, theft (and attempted), vandalism (policy dependent)
- relevant for outdoor storage or multiple locations
- prevention requirements can be decisive
Casco / All risk
- damage to the forklift due to collision/fall (policy dependent)
- broader than just fire/theft
- pay attention to deductible and exclusions (wear and tear/gradual)
Comparison checklist
| Point of comparison | Why important | What to pay attention to |
|---|---|---|
| Own risk | Frequent minor damage is common. | Choose an appropriate deductible; sometimes deviating in case of theft. |
| Use & location | Deployment determines risk and conditions. | Own grounds, customer locations, indoors/outdoors, public roads. |
| Battery/charger (electric) | High value and specific risks. | Co-insured? Coverage for damage during loading. |
| Accessories | Forks, sideshift, clamps are expensive. | Maxima/definition accessories; specify separately if necessary. |
| Exclusions | Prevents surprises in the event of a claim. | Wear and tear, lack of maintenance, intent, gradual damage. |
Policy conditions are leading; have specific situations confirmed in writing.
Typical forklift damage (and how to limit them)
Collision scaffolding
Schade aan stellingen, staanders en opgeslagen goederen is een Classic. Met WA dekt u schade aan derden; met casco kan ook schade aan de heftruck zelf gedekt zijn.
Falling over / instability
Bij verkeerde belading, hellingen of scherpe bochten kan een heftruck kantelen. hull/all-risk kan relevant zijn; training en beladingsregels zijn preventief cruciaal.
Damage to doors/vehicles
Dockdeurand, overheaddeurand and vrachtwagands zijn gevoelig. Heldere rijroutes, spiegels and snelheid beperkand dit risico.
Accessories and superstructure: what do you want to insure?
Common accessories
- fork positioner, side shift
- roller/bale clamp, paper clamp
- extra long forks, fork extensions
- cameras, warning systems
- batteries/chargers (electric)
Not everything is insured as standard. Ask for maximums/definition of accessories.
This way you avoid discussion in the event of damage
- specify accessories and value in quotation
- save invoices and take photos
- check whether (expensive) battery is seen separately
- update policy for upgrades or replacement
Premium: what does the price depend on?
Most important factors
- type of forklift truck (electric/diesel/LPG) and value
- coverage (third party liability, fire/theft, comprehensive/all risk) and deductible
- use: indoor/outdoor, intensity, locations
- storage and security
- claims history and number of drivers
Compare wisely
- compare premium and conditions
- check maximums for accessories/battery
- choose your deductible depending on the frequency of minor damage
- pay attention to prevention requirements in the event of theft
Public roads: when is extra attention needed?
Situation dependent
Sommige heftrucks rijden alleen op eigen terrein. Andere steken (incidenteel) een openbare weg over of rijden rondom docks. Afhankelijk van registratie en gebruik kan Liability anders worden beoordeeld.
Always have this checked in your application so that your coverage matches reality.
Practical points of interest
- who drives the forklift and is instruction demonstrable?
- Is there a traffic plan around the site?
- Are warnings/lighting and visibility facilities in order?
- what risks are there at intersections and docks?
Prevention: this is how you limit damage and improve acceptance
Training & instruction
- periodic instruction for directors
- rules for loading and speed
- supervision of new employees
Workplace & routes
- mark driving routes and pedestrian zones
- mirrors at intersections
- good lighting in warehouse/docks
Maintenance & control
- periodic maintenance and inspection
- check tires/chains/brakes
- Charge batteries/chargers safely (electric)
Checklist: apply for forklift insurance in 10 minutes
1) Forklift data
- make/type, year of construction
- serial number(s)
- value (new value/current value)
- electric/diesel/LPG
2) Use & location
- inside/outside, private property
- customer locations: yes/no
- (situation-dependent) public road
- number of drivers / shift
3) Coverage
- WA (damage to third parties)
- fire/theft
- hull/all-risk
- accessories/battery included in the insurance
Frequently asked questions about forklift insurance
What is forklift insurance?
Forklift insurance often falls under work equipment insurance. You usually insure liability (WA) for damage to third parties and you can expand this to include fire/theft and comprehensive/all risk for damage to the forklift itself.
Is WA sufficient for my forklift?
WA covers damage to third parties, but not damage to your own forklift. If you also want to cover repair costs or loss of the forklift, additional coverage such as fire/theft or comprehensive/all risk is relevant.
Does the insurance cover damage to racks and stored goods?
Damage to goods/buildings of others may be covered by third party liability (depending on the policy). Casco/all-risk is relevant for damage to your own forklift truck. Always check policy conditions and deductible.
Are the battery and charger of an electric forklift insured?
That depends on the policy. Batteries often have a high value and can be treated differently than standard accessories. Have the battery and charger explicitly included in the quotation.
Is a forklift insured if I lend or rent it?
You must report rental or lending in advance. The conditions and coverage may differ if third parties drive the forklift or it is deployed at other locations.
What if my forklift (occasionally) drives on public roads?
This is situation dependent. Always mention it with the application so that the correct liability and any legal requirements (if applicable) are included.
What information do I need for a quote?
Usually: make/type, year of manufacture, serial number(s), value, use (indoor/outdoor), locations (own site/customer), number of drivers and desired coverage (third party liability, fire/theft, hull/all risk) plus accessories/battery.
How does the deductible work?
The deductible is the part of the damage that you pay yourself. Minor damage occurs relatively often with forklift trucks; therefore choose a deductible that suits your risk appetite.
Insure a forklift? Request a work equipment quote
Start de offerte-aanvraag en ontvang een voorstel dat past bij uw heftruck, gebruik en risicoprofiel. Wij helpen u graag met dekking, Conditions en acceptatie.
Direct contact: call 072 – 509 24 56 or email to info@finassverzekert.nl.
